Secondhand booksellers in the UK and Ireland have detected a significant uptick in bulk orders from anonymous purchasers, prompting speculation about potential involvement by artificial intelligence firms seeking training data. Reports from sellers across the region indicate orders began arriving several months ago, originating from buyers based in North America, continental Europe, and within the UK itself. Similar patterns have been observed among booksellers in the United States, Australia, and other European locations.
The orders are characterized by their seemingly random and thematic incoherence, departing markedly from conventional bulk purchasing behavior. Rather than targeting specific subject categories, the selections span disparate topics including agricultural history, automotive biography, specialized translations, and niche publications. Several booksellers reported receiving orders for hundreds or thousands of titles with no apparent connection to established market trends. One anonymous seller indicated that some orders, though placed under different buyer identities, have been delivered to the same location near Heathrow airport. Notably, these buyers have consistently paid premium prices without negotiating discounts despite requesting substantial quantities.
The speculation surrounding AI company involvement stems from documented practices in the sector. The Washington Post reported that Anthropic, a major AI developer, spent considerable sums acquiring books specifically to extract their contents before the physical volumes were recycled. In response, Anthropic stated that sourcing published materials through acquisition represents standard practice across the AI industry, emphasizing that their procedures do not target rare or antiquarian editions. Additionally, reports indicated that certain industry databases have promoted secondhand books as valuable training material, particularly those published before 2022 when AI-generated content was minimal.
Booksellers have expressed both curiosity and concern about the trend’s impact on the secondhand trade. Some industry participants have questioned the thesis that AI companies are responsible, noting that certain orders included titles freely available in the public domain. Both major online book marketplaces facilitating these transactions have been contacted for commentary on the unusual purchasing patterns.
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