Shandong University (SDU) co-hosted a seminar on training publishing professionals for the digital and AI era in Jinan, Shandong province, on Aug 28. The event was part of the academic program of the 16th China International Digital Publishing Expo.

The seminar was jointly organized by SDU and the organizing committee of the expo. It gathered representatives from universities, research institutions and the publishing industry to discuss changes in publishing education and approaches to strengthen university-industry collaboration.

Ma Xiaolin, a member of SDU's Party Committee, said technological change across the publishing industry is increasing demand for professionals with a strong grounding in the humanities, publishing expertise and digital skills. She also highlighted SDU's efforts to prioritize publishing studies, including establishing a dedicated school and integrating academic and industry resources to strengthen education and research in the field.

At the event, a team led by SDU professor Zhang Li released a study on talent demand in the publishing industry. Based on a survey of 525 book publishing companies and an analysis of 3,564 job postings, the study proposed a four-dimensional competency model, placing professional expertise in content at the core, alongside interdisciplinary skills, digital and AI capabilities, and market awareness and practical skills.

Speakers from academia and industry also discussed doctoral education in publishing, AI-related changes in professional training, the emerging role of copyright agents, the importance of editors, and long-term university-industry cooperation.