Bloomsbury Publishing, which publishes the Harry Potter series, has explicitly ruled out using artificial intelligence to write its books, rejecting the assumption that publishers must eventually adopt AI-generated fiction. The decision comes as AI technology becomes increasingly difficult to detect and amid rising legal conflicts over its use in literary works.
Nigel Newton, Bloomsbury’s executive chairman, stated that the company opposes AI authorship despite recognizing its growing capabilities as a research tool. Newton emphasized that the company’s books will continue to be written by human authors, framing the issue as one of creative passion rather than technological inevitability.
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Bloomsbury’s stance contrasts sharply with recent industry shifts, including the creation of the Prix Pascal de Littérature IA, a new literary award for fiction co-written with AI. The prize follows allegations that AI was used in submissions for major competitions this year, such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Newton dismissed the idea that AI’s role in publishing is unavoidable, arguing that authorship should prioritize human creativity over technological efficiency.
Legal battles over AI-trained models
The publisher’s position aligns with broader legal disputes over AI training data. In July, Bloomsbury participated in a $1.5 billion settlement with Anthropic, the developer of the Claude chatbot, over claims that the company used copyrighted books—including over 14,000 Bloomsbury titles—to train its models without permission. The settlement requires payments to be split equally between authors and publishers after fees, with distributions beginning in the second half of Bloomsbury’s financial year. Newton noted that while the payout per book, around $3,000, is significant, it remains modest compared to the scale of AI training operations.
Bloomsbury is also pursuing legal action against other technology firms accused of scraping its books to train large language models. The dispute has extended into UK policy discussions, where publishers have urged the government to strengthen copyright protections. A March report from the government rejected a broad exception for AI training, instead leaving licensing negotiations to market forces. Newton described the legal battles as a necessary defense of intellectual property in an era where AI development often overlooks creative rights.
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Financial struggles and iconic releases ahead
The publisher’s financial outlook reflects both challenges and opportunities. Revenue for the first half of the year fell to £152 million, down from £160 million in the same period the prior year, while pre-tax profits declined to £9.3 million from £18.3 million. Despite these setbacks, Bloomsbury maintained its guidance for record annual profits, citing upcoming releases, including new works by Sarah J. Maas and the latest book in Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures series. The company also anticipates a boost from HBO’s Harry Potter television series, which debuts on December 25.
Bloomsbury’s resistance to AI authorship highlights a broader industry debate over innovation and creative integrity. While AI tools may assist in editing or research, the company’s leadership insists that human storytelling remains its defining strength. The settlement with Anthropic and ongoing legal actions demonstrate that publishers are willing to defend their intellectual property, even as AI’s influence in literature grows. Newton, who signed J.K. Rowling to Bloomsbury in 1996, continues as executive chairman until at least 2031, with no formal CEO succession process underway. For now, the company’s priorities remain protecting its creative standards while leveraging the enduring appeal of its most iconic series.