Founded in 1869, AIE is the oldest Italian trade association. It represents Italian publishers of books, scientific journals and digital content at both the national and international level. It is the main data source on reading habits, publishing market, as well as cultural and educational consumption.

AIE is one of the founders of Confindustria and Confindustria Cultura Italia. Publishers represented by AIE make up over 90% of the Italian book market. At the European and international level, AIE contributed to the founding of IPA (International Publishers Association) and FEP (Federation of European Publishers). AIE is also a member of ABPTOE, EDItEUR, EDR-Lab, ISBN International, IDF and Readium Foundation.