Programme & Speakers

Conversations on publishing, AI & the global south.

1. Opening
2. Session 120 min

   Inauguration & Introduction

   Welcome to BookTech — the collective, the vision, and the road ahead.

3. Session 215 min

   Keynote address

   • Richard CharkinFounder, Mensch Publishing · Former President, International Publishers Association
4. Theme 01 · Digital Transformation for Publishers — Challenges and Solutions In the Age of AI
5. Session 320 min

   Fireside chat: The unseen part of the iceberg — Publishing technology from the Global South

   • Carlo CarrenhoPublishing Analyst & Founding Member, Alpine Global Collective
   • Michalis KalamarasHead of Marketing and Content, Partner — Thinking, Greece
6. Session 420 min

   The Publisher's Dilemma: Embracing AI Without Losing Your Editorial Soul

   Speaker Presentation

   • Nadim SadekFounder & CEO, Shimmr AI & Author
7. Session 520 min

   A Paradigm Shift in the Paradigm Shift: An Experience from AI Translation

   Speaker Presentation

   • Senthil NathanFounder & CEO, Ailaysa Technologies, India · Founder & Publisher, Aazhi Publishers, India
8. Short Break · 10 minutes
9. Theme 02 · Publishing AI and Global South
10. Session 620 min

    Perspectives on publishing AI in ASEAN

    Speaker Presentation

    • Adibah OmarCEO, Kota Buku, Malaysia
11. Session 720 min

    Building Up Digital Infrastructure for the Arab Publishing Industry: POD, Digital Books, Logistics, and Distribution

    • Muhammad SalahDigital Products Manager, Samawy
12. Session 820 min

    The Future of Publishing: AI, Global Distribution, and Print-on-Demand at Scale

    • Ricardo AlmeidaCEO, Clube de Autores
13. Closing
14. Session 910 min

    Closing Remarks

    Key takeaways, reflections, and a look at what comes next for BookTech.

    • Haris IoannidesPublisher, Armida Books, Cyprus · Co-Founder, Limassol International Book Fair, Cyprus