Publishing 3.0 – HK Smart eBook-Hub Promotion Scheme
To help accelerate the transformation of the publishing industry, with the support of the Logistics and Supply Chain Multi-Technology R&D Center (LSCM) and Create Hong Kong (Create HK), the HKRRLS as the implementation organisation, Hong Kong Publishing Federation (HKPF) has launched “Publishing 3.0 Hk Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme” (Publishing3.0), and will recruit local publications to construct the “ Hong Kong smart e-book hub“。
The “Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme” emphasises the application of advanced digital technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), to the publishing industry. Hence, the transformation of publishing can be enhanced and ushered towards multiple possibilities. To align with the “New Normal” phenomenon emerged under the pandemic, the HK publishing industry urgently needs to be further evolved.
The “AI-empowered smart e-book features for e-publishing” project (E-publishing project) was initiated by the HKPF in collaboration with the LSCM, it was expected that under this foundation, a “Hong Kong Smart E-Book Hub” can be built. We propose a one-and-a-half years of marketing and publicity initiative, with the aims of assisting the publishing industry to produce quality, smart e-books that can be promoted in local and overseas markets and can generate sales and IP rights licensing income.
This Scheme also aligns with the government’s initiative on “Art Tech”, showcasing the integration of technology and creative industry. Under the Scheme, the e-book conversion technology not only help convert print to digital books but can also translate contents from Chinese to English (or vice versa). Features also include text-to-speech function.
The E-publishing project is expected to be piloted in January-March 2023 and phased in by May. Subsequently, HKPF will use the technological achievements under the E-publishing project to establish an online “E-book Publishing Conversion Platform” (Conversion Platform), which can be used by the publishing industry free of charge to convert paper publications into Chinese and English e-books and trilingual versions of audiobooks.
Through the “Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme“, HKPF hopes to recruit a number of high-quality local publications with international market potential, which will be converted into e-books and audiobooks through the conversion platform, so as to establish the “Hong Kong Smart E-Book Hub“.
With technology sharing and promotion, the Publishing 3.0 scheme assists small and medium-sized publishers which are insufficient funds, science and technology and other resources in Hong Kong to accelerate their upgrading and transformation. They can also try diversified and intelligent publishing and implement “Publication 3.0” to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a Chinese publishing hub and Asia’s creative capital.
It was believed that all this can help HK quality publications to “go out”, and to generate more sales and IP rights licensing income, thus achieving the sustainable development of HK creative industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the functions of the conversion platform under Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme?
The publishing industry can use this conversion platform free of charge to convert paper publications into Chinese and English e-books and trilingual audiobooks. Furthermore, the platform can simultaneously translate Chinese publications into English e-books through LSCM’s Artificial Intelligence System.
What are the functions of the Hong Kong Smart E-Book Hub under Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme?
The Hong Kong Smart E-Book Hub has functions such as categorical search and trial reading, which helps to promote Hong Kong publications in major overseas book fairs.
Which organisations can participate in the Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme?
All publishers are welcome to participate in the Scheme. If you would like to participate in Publishing 3.0 HK Smart Ebook Hub Promotion Scheme or have any questions about the Scheme, please contact us.