Rafał Kosik has been named BolognaBookPlus Author Ambassador 2026. One of the most influential Polish science fiction writers of the 21st century, Rafał Kosik writes bestselling fiction across the general and children’s sectors, and has sold almost two million copies in 14 languages to date. His ambassadorship follows a trend set by Poland last year with Joanna Karpowicz as Illustration Ambassador.
An author and publisher, Rafał Kosik will be undertaking a line-up of engagements including a central role with industry leaders at the AI Summit at BolognaBookPlus, in partnership with Shimmr AI. Now in its third year, the Summit will bring together informed voices from across global publishing and technology to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative and commercial landscape of books.
Commenting on his role, Rafal Kosik says, “I am very much looking forward to being BolognaBookPlus’ 2026 Author Ambassador. In addition to various conversations and panels throughout the fair, the session on the AI Summit is particularly exciting. I’ve been writing about artificial intelligence for almost three decades. I’ve even made it a fully-fledged protagonist in several novels and short stories!”
Guest director, BolognaBookPlus Jacks Thomas adds, “We couldn’t have a more fitting Author Ambassador; a talented writer and an innovative publisher, Rafal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Ambassador role in an AI age. His contribution across a variety of panels will be invaluable and none more so than his participation in what promises to be another informative, provocative and lively AI Summit. Bologna in the spring has got to be the hot ticket!”
THE AI SUMMIT
The half-day summit will feature senior executives, technologists and publishing innovators discussing how AI is transforming the industry—from editorial workflows and predictive analytics to copyright and creative rights.
The Summit opens with a keynote from Nadim Sadek, Founder and CEO of Shimmr AI and author of Shimmer, Don’t Shake and Quiver, Don’t Quake. He will explore AI as the New Apex of Human Creativity.
The program will then address the practical and ethical implications of AI across publishing operations, including:
Creation: Agentic Systems Across the Publishing Workflow – with Searsha Sadek (Chief Product Officer, Shimmr AI); Sara Lloyd (Group Communications Director & Global AI Lead, Pan Macmillan); Njål Hansen (Founder & CEO, Beat Technology); and Mauro Morellini (CEO, Morellini Editore).
Predictive Publishing: How Data is Rewriting Decision-Making – moderated by Samir Patil (Founder & CEO, Scroll Media Inc.) with Gavin Marcus (CEO & Co-Founder, Storywise) and Arsim Shillova (CEO, Libraro).
Curating Truth: Publishing’s Responsibility in the Age of AI-Generated Content – a conversation between Senja Požar (Managing Editor, JAISD & International Projects Coordinator, IRCAI) and Nadim Sadek.
Control, Compensation & Creative Rights in the Age of AI – moderated by Regina Brooks (CEO, Serendipity Literary Agency and President of the Association of American Literary Agents), featuring Piero Attanasio (AIE); Friederike Fuxen (Rights Manager, dp DIGITAL); and Rafał Kosik, the BolognaBookPlus Author Ambassador 2026.
The Business of Intelligent Creativity: Leadership Conversations – Paul Kelly, CEO, DK, UK with Emma House, CEO, Oreham Group UK; Mary McAveney, President & CEO, Abrams Books, USA; and Edward Nawotka, Senior News & International Editor, Publishers Weekly, USA
Summit Curator Brooke Dobson, Shimmr AI, says of this year’s program, “It’s a privilege to curate the AI Summit at BolognaBookPlus for the second year running. The publishing industry is entering a distinctly new phase: AI is no longer just a tool for efficiency, but a new medium for creativity and decision-making. This year’s Summit explores the real-world impact of that shift. Covering everything from predictive publishing to new governance frameworks, we’re gathering the pioneers who are using this technology to push artistic boundaries, strengthen editorial judgment, and help publishers navigate this transformation confidently.”
Rafał Kosik, BolognaBookPlus Author Ambassador 2026 is an acclaimed novelist, columnist and screenwriter: he is the author of more than 30 books that have sold over two million copies worldwide.
His works include adult science fiction titles such as Mars, Vertical, Chameleon, g.A.I.a. and Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence, as well as the bestselling young adult series Felix, Net & Nika and the children’s series Amelia & Kuba and Me Like It. His work has been translated into multiple languages including English, Chinese, Spanish, Ukrainian, French, German and Italian.
Kosik also wrote the script for the acclaimed anime series Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners. Throughout his career he has received numerous prestigious literary awards for his contributions to speculative fiction and children’s literature.
As Author Ambassador, Kosik will participate in the AI Summit and appear across the BolognaBookPlus program, engaging in discussions about creativity, storytelling and the evolving relationship between authors and emerging technologies.
The AI Summit will take place Tuesday morning 14 April 2026, part of the BolognaBookPlus professional program.
