You are warmly invited to this year's edition of "The Curated Future: AI, Creativity, and New Paths to Reading Engagement" at the Taipei International Book Exhibition. We're excited to continue a tradition that has been growing for many years, bringing together inspiring voices from across the global publishing and creative industries. We're thrilled about the exceptional line-up of speakers joining us for the upcoming edition and can't wait to dive into the discussions, ideas, and connections that make this conference so special. We look forward to seeing you there!
The two-day programme will cover:
【Day 1】 New Horizons in Publishing: The Future Reader & The Future Tech
February 04 (WED) | Topic | Speakers |
14:00 | Opening Remarks | |
14:05-15:00
| Reaching the Next Generation of Readers: Strategies for Engaging Gen Z and beyond How can publishers connect with a generation that has grown up in a fully digital world — always online, always scrolling, and with countless entertainment options at their fingertips? In this session, Perminder Mann will share her insights into how young generations are redefining reading habits, discoverability, shaping new content formats, and demanding more authentic and value-driven storytelling. | Perminder Mann, CEO Simon & SchusterInternational (UK) |
15:00-15:05 | Break | |
15:05-16:00 | The Aura of Literature in the Age of Human-AI Collaboration This session explores how the aura of literature is shifting in the age of human–AI collaboration. Drawing on a series of experimental projects—from interactive fiction co-created with ChatGPT to AI-driven literary exhibitions—it examines how storytelling, authorship, and reading experiences are being reimagined. By looking at AI as a creative partner rather than a tool, the session opens a discussion on new narrative forms, collaborative reading practices, and the evolving roles of writers, editors, and readers. | Wang Tsung-Wei, Deputy General Manager of Linking Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of UNITAS Magazine; writer. (Taiwan) |
16:00-16:50 | AI in publishing: The next chapter Artificial intelligence is evolving at breathtaking speed – and no one in the publishing world can afford to ignore it. But beyond the buzz, how can AI actually be used in day-to-day publishing work? This session takes a hands-on look at real use cases: from content creation and translation to rights management, marketing, and data-driven decision-making. Our expert will share what really works (and what doesn't), how to integrate AI tools responsibly, and which developments publishers should keep an eye on. A must-attend for everyone who wants to move beyond the hype and understand how AI can truly support creative and business processes in a rapidly changing environment. | Anna Lemp, Manager for Corporate Strategy & Innovation at Hachette Livre (France) |
16:50-17:00 | Closing Remarks and Feedback |
|
【Day 2】The Power of Story Development: From Rights Acquisition to lasting IP
February 05 (THU) | Topic | Speakers |
10:00 | Opening Remarks | |
10:05-11:15
| Inside the Art of Rights Acquisition: Strategies for Building Global Lists - how to acquire rights and develop bestsellers What makes a great acquisition editor — and how do they spot the next big success story before anyone else? In this session, an acquiring German editor shares insights from her experience acquiring rights across Asia to build new successful lists. She will discuss how to identify promising titles, navigate cultural and market differences, and build long-term relationships with international partners. Join us to learn what strategic thinking and intuition go into shaping a truly global publishing program. | Elisabeth Boesl, Editor for Fantasy and Science-Fiction literature at Wilhelm Heyne Verlag in Munich (Germany) |
11:15-11:30 | Break | |
11:30-12:45
| Beyond the Page: Turning Stories and Characters into Lasting IP How does a story become a brand — and a character turn into a cultural phenomenon? This session explores the art and strategy of successful IP development, inspired by hit examples such as Chiikawa or Higuchi Yuko from Japan. Our expert from the creative and publishing industries will discuss how to identify potential in stories and illustrations, build sustainable worlds around them, and collaborate across media — from books to merchandise, film, and digital platforms. Join us to learn what it takes to turn great ideas into long-lasting intellectual properties that resonate with audiences far beyond the printed page. | TBA |
12:45-13:00 | Closing Remarks and Feedback | |
SPEAKERS
Claudia Kaiser
Vice President, Frankfurter Buchmesse (Germany)
Claudia Kaiser was trained as bookseller, and has a MA degree in Chinese Studies. She lived in China for more than 10 years, as editor for China Foreign Literature Publishing House, started an agency and, in 1998, set up the German Book Information Centre by Frankfurter Buchmesse in Beijing, and was its first director.
She moved on to United Nations Publishing in New York (External Publications Officer, in charge of rights and sales).
She has been in the senior management (Vice President) of Frankfurt Book Fair since 2003, in different positions: head of international department, General Manager of KITAB (Abu Dhabi International Book Fair), head of Cape Town Book Fair, just to mention a few.
As Vice President Business Development of Frankfurt Book Fair she presently looks into the South East Asian markets and South Asia, Arab World and Africa. She is also closely involved in organising the Jakarta Content Week (Jaktent), together with the 17000 islands of Imagination Foundation.
Perminder Mann
CEO Simon & SchusterInternational (UK)
Perminder Mann became CEO of Simon & Schuster UK and International in May 2025. Previously CEO of Bonnier Books UK, she led the company to significant growth and a reputation for embracing digital trends and inclusion. She is a seasoned publisher with a track record of supporting authors to achieve commercial and critical success.
Mann recently served as President of the Publishers Association, is Chair of the board of trustees for mentoring charity Arts Emergency and an honorary visiting professor at City, University of London.
She was featured by Vogue as one of the 25 women defining Britain in 2025.
Wang Tsung-Wei (王聰威)
Deputy General Manager of Linking Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of UNITAS Magazine; writer (Taiwan)
Since 2023, Wang has been actively leading and curating AI-related literary and publishing projects in Taiwan. His work includes Love Letters to Aillen: An Interactive Fiction Project with ChatGPT—the first interactive novel in Taiwan, created through collaboration between a human author and ChatGPT—as well as multiple AI co-creation initiatives for major cultural institutions, such as the Digital Theme Pavilion at the 2025 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE), the opening exhibition of Taichung Green Museumbrary, and an AI co-creation project for a travel literature exhibition at the National Museum of Taiwan Literature.
Love Letters to Aillen was selected for the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) and received several awards, including Shopping Design Best 100 (Experimental Classics) and the Golden Tripod Awards – Digital Content Award.
Anna Lemp
Manager for Corporate Strategy & Innovation at Hachette Livre (France)
Anna Lemp is Manager for Corporate Strategy & Innovation at Hachette Livre, the world's third-largest publishing group. In this role, Anna identifies growth opportunities, supports digital transformation, and fosters a culture of innovation across Hachette's global imprints. Anna advises executives and teams on emerging trends shaping the future of publishing—most recently AI—through research and presentations. She also develops and manages strategic projects in response to these trends, connecting startups and major tech players with the right internal teams to drive innovation.
Prior to Hachette, Anna worked in media at The Atlantic and in video production. She holds a degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University's Writing Seminars program, as well as a degree in Entrepreneurship & Management.
Elisabeth Bösl
Editor for Fantasy and Science-Fiction literature at Wilhelm Heyne Verlag in Munich (Germany)
Elisabeth Bösl , born in 1984, has been fascinated by fantastical worlds and futures – both distant and near – since her youth. After studying German language and literature, History and Russian literature, she worked for several years as a freelance editor, literary agent and editor for diezukunft.de before becoming an editor for Fantasy and Science-Fiction literature at Wilhelm Heyne Verlag in Munich.
WHEN●WHAT●HOW
【Time】
Day 1 Session: 2/4(Wed) 14:00-17:00, Entry at 13:30
Day 2 Session: 2/5(Thu) 10:00-13:00, Entry at 09:30
【Entry】
Please present the ACCUPASS e-ticket (QR code), and bring your business card.
【Venue】
Conference Room 3, Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1
【Language】
The event will be conducted in English and will provide real-time Chinese subtitles.
【How to take part】
The registration will be open until 2026/1/19. Event participation options and fees as below.
| Option | Registation Fee |
Physical Participation *By attending the training programme, you will also receive a Professional pass of 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition, which provides unlimited access to the exhibition during 2/3-2/8. *The pass will be given to the participant at the beginninng of the program. | DAY1 Session 2/4(WED) | TWD 1,500 |
DAY2 Session 2/5(THU) | TWD 1,500 | |
Full Sessions | TWD 2,500 |
Should you have any questions, please contact:
Taipei Book Fair Foundation /Raymond Chueh / 886-2-27671268 #108 / raymon@taipeibookfair.org
*The Organizers reserve the right to modify the program.
*Refunds are handled by ACCUPASS.
