In New York this year, I reflected on how Taylor and Francis is advancing academic publishing with responsible AI, open access, and inclusive authorship. Here is how we are evolving the craft, why ethics and quality matter, and how authors can thrive through close collaboration with our editors.

This is my second time at The AI Summit New York, and returning has been energizing. Last year I met many prospective authors and had meaningful conversations about their ideas, disciplines, and goals. We turned several of those conversations into book contracts, which is one of the most rewarding outcomes of attending. The event is also a hub for our existing authors. We host a meet and greet at our booth, display newly published titles, and create a space for authors to connect with peers. It has become a valuable forum for building relationships and celebrating the work that makes our community vibrant.

AI is helping us improve our publishing workflows and helping authors create with greater efficiency and confidence. It will never replace an author’s expertise. The voice, judgment, and experience of the author are essential. What AI can do is serve as a strong writing assistant. Authors use AI to support editing, strengthen references, streamline indexing, refine figures and artwork, and even generate early concepts for marketing materials and podcasts. When used thoughtfully, these tools shorten time to market, which benefits readers who need timely content and authors who want their contributions to reach audiences sooner.

The important balance is responsibility and clarity. We guide authors to use AI tools ethically and to maintain ownership of their scholarship. AI should not be a coauthor or a substitute for knowledge. It should augment the author’s effort. We emphasize proper disclosure, careful verification of facts, and clear attribution when relevant. The capabilities of these tools are improving quickly, which makes guidance even more important. We update our practices as the technology evolves so that authors can harness AI’s strengths without compromising integrity.

We are also committed to broadening who gets to author the future of knowledge. We have focused outreach to underrepresented groups and are proud to publish many women and people of color, including thought leaders like Calvin Lawrence. Recently we published a remarkable memoir by the first African American woman to earn a PhD in engineering in the United States. Moments like that underscore why representation matters. When more voices are heard, the body of knowledge becomes more accurate, more relevant, and more humane.

Diversity of topics matters as much as diversity of authors. We actively commission books on systemic bias in AI and the ethical questions that come with rapid technological change. There is constant coverage of AI’s opportunities, but not every conversation explores the uneven impact or the risks that certain communities face. As a publisher, we want to illuminate those realities. Our role is to produce knowledge with care and to hold high ethical standards. Every book we publish goes through peer review to ensure quality and rigor. That process helps us present reliable science and research to students, practitioners, and policymakers who depend on accurate information.

We are investing deeply in ethics in AI. I am proud that we have partnered with AAAI on a new book series dedicated to responsible and ethical AI. The aim is to create a coherent shelf of work that practitioners, researchers, and leaders can use to inform policy and practice. Alongside this, we maintain strict expectations for research integrity across our entire list. In an era of information overload and misinformation, readers need trusted sources. We take that responsibility seriously and build our processes to earn and keep that trust.

For anyone considering writing a book, my advice is simple. Start the conversation with a publisher. The process is less intimidating than many people assume, especially when you are working with an academic and professional house like Taylor and Francis. You can approach us directly. We will introduce you to an editor who will work closely with you from the first idea through to publication. Many authors come to us with a spark rather than a fully formed plan. We help shape the concept, structure the outline, and guide the proposal through peer and technical reviews. At every step, a real person is in your corner making sure the work stays on track and meets the standards that readers expect.

That partnership often evolves into lasting professional friendships. Books take time, and sustained collaboration builds mutual respect. We celebrate milestones together, solve problems together, and share in the joy of the finished work. When an author sends a photo of themselves holding the first copy, smiling, it reminds me why I love this field. A book is a tangible contribution to a discipline and a gift to a community of readers.

Innovation in format is another area that excites me. We have always published in print and ebook formats. Now we are exploring platforms that make ebooks truly interactive. I want books to feel alive, evolving as new data, code, or case studies become available. Interactivity allows readers to engage with content in deeper ways and allows authors to update examples and resources. This is especially important in fast moving domains like computer science and AI where the half life of examples can be short. By building living books, we help readers stay current and help authors keep their work relevant longer.

Open access is a major priority for us and an area where Taylor and Francis is a leader. We have published more than 2,000 open access books, and the impact is clear. Research shows that open access books are cited and downloaded far more than traditional titles. They reach readers in three times as many countries and four times as many institutions. For authors, that means broader reach, stronger impact, and faster diffusion of ideas. When funding allows, we encourage open access because it amplifies the value of the work and expands who can benefit from it.

My own path into publishing started with a love of reading. I studied English literature and imagined a career in fiction in New York City. My trajectory shifted toward academic, professional, and scientific publishing, and I am grateful that it did. I specialize in computer science, which lets me work at the leading edge of technology with brilliant researchers and practitioners. We have been publishing in AI for a long time, and it is thrilling to see the field’s acceleration and to support new voices as they add to the discourse. Watching an idea grow into a book that moves a field forward is deeply fulfilling.

I began at Taylor and Francis as an assistant and worked my way through a series of roles, learning the craft from the ground up. Today I lead the computer science team and collaborate with a talented group of editors who care deeply about quality, integrity, and author experience. The journey has reinforced a simple truth. Publishing is a people business. Our processes matter, our policies matter, and our platforms matter. But relationships are what make great books possible. When we bring together author expertise, thoughtful editing, and ethical standards, we produce knowledge that endures.

My closing thoughts from this year’s summit are optimistic. AI, applied responsibly, is a tool for clarity, speed, and inclusion. With strong peer review, open access models, and a broader author community, we can publish work that informs, challenges, and inspires. If you have an idea, I hope you will reach out and begin the conversation.

Publishing thrives when expertise, ethics, and access move together. With responsible AI and close editor partnership, we can deliver knowledge that serves society.