Greek readers remain cautious about fully AI-written books

Only 31% of Greek readers surveyed would consider buying a book written entirely by artificial intelligence, while the figure rises to 60% when the book is presented as the result of collaboration between a human author and AI, according to a new study of reading habits in Greece.

The findings show that readers already use AI tools while engaging with books. Fifty-four percent reported using AI to explain words or images encountered in books, 41% used it to help understand a text, and 29% used it to generate summaries.

Despite this practical use of AI, most respondents remained reluctant to accept it as the sole author of a book. The findings suggest that readers continue to value the presence of a human author and view human involvement as an important guarantee of a work’s intellectual value.

The study also examined broader reading habits in Greece. Four in 10 people aged 18–59 reported reading books regularly. Twenty-three percent of readers were classified as highly active, having read at least 11 books during the previous year and averaging 19 titles annually, while 48% had read between three and 10 books.

A book’s subject or plot was the most influential purchasing factor, cited by 73% of readers. The description on the back cover followed at 47%, while the author’s name, price, and available discounts each influenced 37% of respondents. Readers discovered new books almost equally through digital channels, cited by 31%, and physical stores, cited by 29%.

The study found that 32% of Greek readers read books in English, with the figure rising to 41% among those aged 18–34. Among readers who bought foreign-language books, 60% said they preferred experiencing an author’s original linguistic style, while 52% viewed reading in another language as both an enjoyable and educational activity.

Audiobooks also showed considerable growth potential. Nine in 10 regular readers were familiar with the format, and 82% of them expressed an interest in using audiobooks in the future. Respondents most commonly associated audiobooks with walking, cited by 47%; traveling on public transportation, 43%; and driving, 31%.

On average, each reader purchased 9.7 books annually — 6.75 for personal use and 2.95 as gifts. Birthdays and name days were the most common occasions for giving books, cited by 74% of respondents, followed by Christmas at 52% and gifts for children at 45%.

The research also found that 90% of readers kept their books on shelves or in home libraries. After reading a book, 84% kept it, 38% lent it to someone else, and only 1% discarded it. Thirty-four percent reported buying secondhand books, primarily when the title they wanted was difficult to find elsewhere.

As reported earlier, a separate study by OSDEL, Greece’s collective management organization for literary works, found that reading behavior in Greece was closely linked to education, social background, and access to books at home and during childhood. More than 80% of the books recorded in the study were read in print, while physical bookstores remained the main purchasing channel, although the internet played a growing role.

The OSDEL study also found that readers turned to books for information, appreciation of literature, and escape from everyday life. Greece designated 2026 as the Year of Reading Culture under the title DiavaZOUME (“We Read/Live”), with a particular focus on children, adolescents, and younger readers.

As reported earlier, AI is increasingly being used across European book markets for translation, audiobook production, academic publishing, and internal editorial processes. Publishers, particularly in smaller-language markets, continue to emphasize the need for human oversight, while several publishing companies have introduced rules requiring the disclosure and human review of AI-assisted work.

Main image: pexels (Tima Miroshnichenko)