This week Hum and Silverchair announced the release of their 2026 Publishing Tech Trends Report, offering an inside look at how scholarly and professional publishers are preparing for the coming year. Now in its fifth year, the report draws on insights from senior publishing leaders, technologists, and strategists across the industry to examine the technologies and decisions reshaping publishing operations, discovery, and business models.

This year’s findings highlight a clear shift: publishers are moving beyond experimentation toward practical, scalable applications of AI, data, and automation that deliver measurable value. Contributors share what’s working, what’s stalling, and what publishers are prioritizing in 2026, particularly as reader expectations evolve and trust, transparency, and sustainable revenue become more closely tied to technology strategy.

The report features perspectives from a diverse group of industry leaders, including: Nicholas Liu (Oxford University Press), Michael Di Natale (AACR), Natalie Jacobs (Emerald Publishing), Jonathan Woahn (Cashmere), John Challice (Hum), Dawn Melley (IEEE), Nancy Roberts (Maverick), Simon Davies (MHRA), Ian Mulvany (BMJ Group), David Haber (American Society for Microbiology), Andrew Smeall (Sage Publications), James Butcher (Journalology), Adam Day (Clear Skies Ltd), Jeremy Little (Silverchair), Heather Staines (Delta Think), Jessica Miles (The Informed Frontier), and Teo Pulvirenti (ACS Publications).

Across interviews and analysis, contributors examine how publishers are:

1. Turning AI from a research project into an operational advantage
2. Rethinking discovery as user expectations shift toward answers, not searches
3. Balancing automation with editorial integrity and trust
4. Modernizing infrastructure to support faster, more personalized experiences
5. Aligning technology investments with sustainable revenue growth
6. 
   

“There’s still AI experimentation happening, but 2026 is all about publishers leaning into the investments that are driving real outcomes,” said Laura Simis, Director of Marketing at Hum. “This year’s report is a great snapshot of how publishers are approaching new expectations around discovery and rising to meet new challenges to quality and trust.”

The 2026 Publishing Tech Trends Report is available for download now.

About Silverchair

Silverchair believes that innovation can fulfill the greatest promises of scholarship. As the leading independent platform and publishing workflow partner for scholarly and professional publishers, we serve our growing community through flexible technology and unparalleled services. Learn more at silverchair.com.

About Hum

Hum delivers deep intelligence for modern publishers. Turn manuscripts, content, and reader behavior into insights that help you grow submissions, readership, and revenue. Alchemist is powering real-time, AI-driven decision making for publishers. Learn more at hum.works.