Pan Macmillan launches AI Academy to upskill staff

Pan Macmillan has launched an AI training programme with Multiverse, enrolling 20 staff from across the business in a structured course on responsible AI use at work.

The programme brings together colleagues from editorial, finance, design and operations. Participants will join a new internal AI Academy, part of a wider effort to upskill staff and support a more sustainable publishing business.

Publishers have begun trialling AI tools for workflow automation, data analysis and internal administration. These moves have drawn scrutiny from authors and agents over creative rights and transparency. Pan Macmillan said the initiative is intended to build consistent practice across teams and set expectations for ethical use.

Training scope

Learners will enrol on Multiverse's Level 4 AI for Business Value programme. The curriculum covers tools including Power BI and Microsoft Copilot, and how staff can integrate AI into everyday tasks.

Pan Macmillan said the training is practical and tied to day-to-day work. It expects staff to use AI responsibly in their roles to improve services offered to authors and illustrators.

Multiverse provides personalised, on-the-job learning for employers and learners. It says it has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016 and works with more than 1,500 companies.

Industry pressures

The initiative comes as publishers face competing pressures across the book market. Print costs, supply chain complexity and a fragmented marketing environment have increased the premium on operational efficiency. Publishers are also looking for new ways to reach audiences as entertainment time shifts towards video and social media.

Pan Macmillan linked the programme to concerns about reading engagement among young people. The publisher is a partner of the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign backed by the Department of Education and delivered by the National Litreacy Trust.

The National Litreacy Trust says only one in three eight- to 18-year-olds enjoy reading in their spare time, a 36% drop over two decades. Pan Macmillan positioned the AI Academy as part of its response to that wider context.

Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan, said: "Publishing is a people business, fuelled by the hard work and dedication of our teams and the brilliant creativity of our authors and illustrators. Our partnership with Multiverse to launch the AI Academy is about empowering our people with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

"By mastering responsible AI, we aren't just improving workflows; we are unlocking the time and energy needed to focus on what truly matters: building deep relationships and finding new ways to bring stories to life. This isn't about replacing the human touch - it's about enhancing it.

"At a time when literacy rates are a growing concern, we have a clear responsibility to use every innovation at our disposal to reach more readers and broaden our impact. We are looking ahead with curiosity, ensuring that as we grow more efficient, we remain a forward-thinking home for the very best talent in the publishing industry."

Briony Grogan, director of people and culture at Pan Macmillan, said: "Our new training programme with Multiverse exemplifies our commitment to giving our teams the skills needed to thrive and best serve our creative community. Gaining a better understanding of AI tools gives our people a toolbox for the future and ensures that we will continue to thrive as a publisher for many decades to come."

Gary Eimerman, chief learning officer at Multiverse, said: "Pan Macmillan has been a cornerstone of the British publishing industry for over 180 years. We are proud to be launching our latest AI Academy with a company that carries such social and cultural impact. We look forward to supporting their teams in embracing future-focused skills development that will deliver measurable results to the business on their campaign to reach more readers."

Company background

Pan Macmillan was founded in 1843 and forms part of the wider Macmillan group owned by the Holtzbrinck family. The publisher has offices in the UK, Australia, South Africa and India, and a sister company headquartered in New York, Macmillan USA.

Multiverse is a training provider focused on AI and technology adoption. The company raised USD $220 million in a Series D funding round in 2022 and reported a post-money valuation of USD $1.7 billion at the time.

Pan Macmillan said the AI Academy will embed an aligned approach to AI use across the business, with trained staff applying what they learn in roles across departments.