The publishing world is having a full-blown identity crisis. While the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Authors Guild are out there wielding their swords to protect writers from AI-generated content, editors have been left standing in the rain without an umbrella. And let’s be honest—unless editors start embracing AI as a powerful tool instead of a digital Grim Reaper, they’re going to find themselves in the same boat as Blockbuster. (Spoiler: That boat sank.)
AI Is Already Editing—and Doing It Well
Let’s not sugarcoat it: AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and ProWritingAid are already handling editing tasks that used to be exclusive to humans. They do grammar corrections, style refinements, and even some developmental suggestions—and they do it in seconds. Authors, indie and traditional alike, are leaning into AI-driven edits because it’s fast, cheap, and getting scarily good.
And it’s not just surface-level tweaks—AI can now recognize and assist with story structure, pacing, and character development. When trained properly, ChatGPT and similar tools can highlight plot inconsistencies, flag weak character arcs, and even suggest tension-building techniques. This means editors can spend less time fixing clunky mechanics and more time refining the emotional and thematic depth of a manuscript.
For editors who scoff at AI and say, “It’ll never replace me,” this is the Kodak Moment—where they either evolve or become a nostalgic relic. AI isn’t going anywhere. The question is: Will editors adapt, or will they fade into irrelevance?
A Case in Point: When the Conversation Gets Shut Down
This week, in a Facebook post from a well-known editor and leader in a prominent writing community, AI-related discussions were banned outright. The reasoning? These conversations had become too heated, too divisive. While it’s understandable to want to avoid unnecessary conflict, this approach misses an opportunity to foster dialogue about how AI is changing our industry.
The irony? Many of the writers and editors in these communities could be using AI to their advantage, but instead, they’re being told to disengage completely. This kind of resistance not only limits professional growth but also leaves people unprepared for the inevitable shift AI is bringing. Imagine if, during the advent of the printing press, scribes had declared, “No discussion of mechanical printing allowed.” Where would we be today?
It’s moments like these that highlight the importance of open, balanced discussions about AI—not just for writers but for editors as well. Shutting down these conversations doesn’t stop progress; it just ensures that fewer people are equipped to navigate it.
Will Editors Be Protected? No.
While writers are getting all the legal love, editors are on their own. But here’s something worth paying attention to: The Copyright Office has made it clear that authors who use AI to edit their work still retain full copyright. (Read it here). This is a huge deal because it means that AI-assisted editing is 100% legitimate, and editors need to stop treating it like Voldemort.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: AI isn’t taking writing jobs, but it is taking a big bite out of traditional editing roles. Editors who keep pretending this isn’t happening will soon find themselves cut out of the process entirely.
Why Fighting AI Is a Losing Battle
There’s a romantic notion that human editors bring something irreplaceable to the table—and while that’s true, most authors and publishers prioritize speed, affordability, and efficiency. AI doesn’t need sleep. It doesn’t get bored. It doesn’t miss deadlines. It doesn’t spend 45 minutes deciding if “toward” or “towards” is the better choice.
Instead of fighting AI, editors should be asking how they can use it to make themselves indispensable.
How Editors Can Stay Relevant in an AI World
Rather than clutching their red pens in fear, smart editors will use AI to their advantage. Here’s how:
1. Use AI for Efficiency, Not Replacement
Think of AI as a power tool. A carpenter doesn’t chisel everything by hand—he uses a saw, a drill, and a level. AI can do the heavy lifting on basic grammar, consistency, and style, freeing editors up to focus on deep narrative insights and voice refinement.
2. Become an AI-Enhanced Editor
AI can make editing faster and more efficient, meaning editors can take on more clients, reduce turnaround times, and increase profitability. The best editors aren’t resisting AI; they’re using it to work smarter, not harder.
3. Offer What AI Can’t: Judgment, Taste, and Storytelling Expertise
AI is great at detecting passive voice but terrible at understanding subtext, emotional nuance, and humor. It doesn’t know when a sentence is funny or when a piece of dialogue just hits right. Editors who lean into these human strengths will always have a place.
4. Market Yourself as an AI-Savvy Editorial Consultant
The editors who thrive in the next decade will be the ones who can stack value on top of the AI-assited feedback output for the manuscript and turn that into something truly spectacular. Think of it this way: AI is the sous chef, but you’re still the head chef running the kitchen.
The Future of Editing in an AI World
Like it or not, AI is here to stay, and editors who resist it will find themselves in the same category as dial-up internet and MySpace.
The editors who survive will be:
- AI-Augmented Experts who let AI handle the tedious stuff while they focus on deep narrative and emotional impact.
- Editorial Consultants who guide authors in refining AI-assisted drafts instead of outright rejecting them.
- Thought Leaders who help define the ethical and creative boundaries of AI in publishing.
Final Thoughts: Adapt or Become Obsolete
AI isn’t the enemy. Fear of AI is. Editors who embrace AI as part of their workflow will not only survive, but thrive. Those who refuse to adapt will watch their industry move on without them.
At the end of the day, AI won’t replace editors. But editors who don’t use AI will be replaced by those who do. The choice is yours: Evolve or get left behind.
