On 20 November 2026, ThinkPub brings international publishing and technology professionals to Cărturești HQ in Bucharest for a morning exploring digital attention, new audiences and practical approaches to artificial intelligence in publishing.
How can publishers help their books stand out, build lasting relationships with readers and make informed use of emerging technologies? Through a keynote, two panel discussions and an open exchange with speakers, the Bucharest event will offer fresh perspectives and practical ideas for a changing publishing landscape.
The programme will open at 09:30 with welcoming remarks from Adi Paun, representing Cărturești, and Nathan Hull, representing ThinkPub.
At 09:45, Matt Locke (Storythings, UK) will deliver the keynote “Five Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future of Digital Attention.” Drawing on earlier shifts in media and technology, Locke will explore how publishers and cultural organisations can respond to an environment increasingly shaped by algorithms and AI-generated content. His talk will offer insights into building audience and marketing strategies grounded in optimism, creativity and an understanding of how people engage with content.
At 10:30, the panel “Reaching New Audiences, Finding New Readers” will examine how publishers can improve discoverability, expand internationally and connect with readers across formats and languages. Videl Bar-Kar (Bookwire, Germany), Lennart de Meij (Readfest, Netherlands) and Nathan Hull (Beat Technology, Norway) will discuss opportunities to bring books to wider audiences, from digital distribution and reading communities to new approaches to reader engagement.
At 11:15, “AI: A Practical Approach for Publishing” will bring together Nathan Hull, Hugo Pickford-Wardle (The AI Optimist, UK) and Searsha Sadek (Shimmr, Ireland). Covering marketing, metadata, discoverability, rights and accessibility, the discussion will explore practical applications of AI, offering informed perspectives and actionable ideas to help publishers assess where these tools can support their work.
An open Q&A at 12:00 will give participants the opportunity to put their questions to the international group, followed by closing remarks from Adi Paun and Nathan Hull.
The event continues ThinkPub’s programme of professional learning and exchange across Europe. Through training, international collaboration and its online Library of Digital Learning Objects, ThinkPub supports publishing professionals in developing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate digital change and build a more sustainable European book sector.
20 November 2026 | 09:30–12:30
Cărturești HQ, Bucharest