Who buys old books?

A surge in demand for rare and old books has led to Amazon being identified as a major buyer, according to reports from Slovenian technology news outlet Slo-Tech. The e-commerce giant is purchasing these books, scanning them, and then destroying them in its warehouses located in Nevada. This revelation comes after investigators from 404media traced a shipment of rare books ordered through the online marketplace Biblio, which allows anonymous purchases. The seller suspected the buyer was linked to artificial intelligence developers, and their suspicions proved correct. The practice involves buying books, cutting them open, scanning individual pages, and then discarding the physical copies. While this process is legally permissible since the books were purchased legitimately, critics argue that it is ethically questionable, especially when dealing with rare editions that might exist in only a few known copies. Amazon does not publicly acknowledge this activity, choosing instead to keep its involvement discreet. Users on the Slo-Tech forum have expressed mixed opinions about the issue. Some users suggest that the destruction of books is unnecessary and wasteful, questioning why the scanned pages are not made available for public use. Others defend the practice, arguing that if a book is sold, the buyer has the right to use it as they see fit. They also point out that there are non-destructive scanning technologies available, such as those offered by companies like Qidenus and Treventus, which can scan thousands of pages per hour without damaging the books. Critics argue that the destruction of rare books undermines efforts by historians and archivists who work tirelessly to preserve historical records. They highlight the irony that a company originally founded as a bookstore is now engaged in the large-scale destruction of printed materials. Meanwhile, supporters of the practice emphasize that the market for rare books is driven by supply and demand, and sellers bear responsibility for how their products are used once purchased. Some commenters question whether the media coverage of this issue is exaggerated, suggesting that the focus should be on broader issues affecting the publishing industry rather than isolated cases of book destruction. Others stress that while the practice may raise ethical concerns, it is ultimately a business decision made by buyers who choose to purchase books for specific purposes, including training AI models that require new, undigitized data. The controversy highlights the tension between technological advancement and cultural preservation. As AI continues to evolve, the need for vast amounts of data becomes increasingly pressing, leading to practices that some view as necessary for progress and others as harmful to heritage. The debate over the appropriate balance between innovation and conservation remains ongoing, with no clear consensus emerging among stakeholders.