Fri, 05 Dec 2025

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 We would sell books by AI, says Waterstones boss

James Daunt says booksellers instinctively have "disdain" for AI but it could be sold if clearly labelled.
Waterstones will consider stocking AI-generated books, but only if they are clearly labeled and customers request them. However, the company's boss James Daunt doesn't expect this to happen often, as he believes most AI-generated content isn't of high enough quality for his stores. The use of artificial intelligence in publishing has sparked debate, with writers concerned about the impact on their livelihoods. Daunt says Waterstones currently avoids stocking AI-generated content and that it would be up to the reader whether or not they want to buy such books. Daunt attributes Waterstones' success to giving individual store managers control over what books are stocked in their stores, allowing them to serve their local communities more effectively. He also welcomes last week's budget and suggests a stock market flotation of the company could be on the horizon. A recent report found that over half of published authors fear being replaced by AI, while two-thirds have had their work used without permission or payment to train language models. However, some writers use AI themselves for research and editing purposes. Daunt doesn't expect his bookstores to promote AI-generated books prominently, but will sell them if customers want them, as long as they are clearly labeled. He believes readers value a connection with the author and that AI-generated content lacks this personal touch. Waterstones has successfully defied the decline of high street retailers by giving staff more control over what books are stocked and allowing them to choose display tables themselves. The company has also expanded into selling stationery items beyond just books. Daunt's success as CEO has led to speculation about a potential stock market flotation, with him suggesting it might be better than being sold to private equity investors. He is currently based in London but has a large American business through his role as head of Barnes and Noble, which could affect any future IPO plans.
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