The Seoul International Book Fair opened Wednesday in Seoul, South Korea, centering on the theme “Questioning humanity in the AI era” [1, 2, 3].
The event arrives as generative technology transforms the creative industries, forcing a global conversation about the value of human authorship and the future of reading. By addressing these tensions, the fair seeks to redefine the relationship between traditional literature and emerging tech.
High demand for the event led to an “open run” scenario, with large crowds gathering at the venue for the opening ceremony [1, 2, 3]. Organizers expect the fair to attract approximately 150,000 visitors [1].
The programming features a diverse range of authors and speakers, including Kim Ae-ran and Bernard Werber [3]. The fair aims to showcase a wide array of books while exploring what it means to be human in a digital age [1, 2, 3].
Some participants are using the platform to challenge traditional norms of literacy. Park Hye-shin, a genre-specialized publisher, said she wants to break the "solemnity of reading"—the idea that books must be read quietly and kept pristine—so that people can enjoy reading in any way they choose [2].
This shift toward a more flexible reading experience mirrors the broader theme of the fair, which encourages visitors to engage with texts not as static objects, but as tools for active inquiry into the human condition [1, 3].
“Questioning humanity in the AI era”
The Seoul International Book Fair's focus on artificial intelligence reflects a growing cultural anxiety regarding the displacement of human creativity. By pairing a high-attendance public event with a philosophical inquiry into AI, the fair suggests that the physical book and the communal act of reading serve as critical anchors for human identity in an increasingly automated world.
