Can Editors Survive the Rise of AI?

🎙️ AI is NOT taking your editing job—unless you let it. In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Servais, a former fiction editor and agency owner who pivoted her entire career after asking ChatGPT to edit a paragraph.Erin has since trained hundreds of editors in 20+ countries in her signature course, AI for Editors. She shares:🤖 How she transitioned from agency work to AI instruction🤖 The Star Trek-fueled curiosity that led her to AI long before it was cool🤖 Why vague prompts ruin AI editing—and how to fix them🤖 Her favorite tools for developmental, line, and copy editing with AI🤖 Why emotional resistance to AI is valid—and how to move through itWhether you’re curious or resistant, this episode will shift your mindset and give you concrete tools to future-proof your editing business.📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Erin’s course: aiforeditors.comTools discussed: Notebook LM, ChatGPT, Claude, Draftsmith🔗 Want to end burnout and become an academic editor or coach? Go to AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor00:00 - AI is powerful but requires knowledgeable human editors.01:03 - Editors need skills in AI prompting for effective editing.13:39 - Interest in AI has developed over a long career in editing.15:30 - Specific prompts lead to better editing results with AI.16:58 - Editing involves numerous specific, granular tasks.17:10 - AI tools need clear instructions for better outcomes.19:07 - Teaching AI prompting can enhance communication skills across contexts.20:38 - The course design followed AI technology advancements.22:46 - Courses evolve as functionalities of AI improve.23:57 - Accept that constant updates in AI tools are challenging.27:33 - Validate feelings about AI, whether fear or skepticism.29:43 - AI is not a magic solution; it requires proper use.30:23 - Companies are realizing AI does not entirely replace human editors.35:54 - Notebook LM can efficiently handle long documents, excellent for content analysis in editing.38:58 - Smaller text pieces yield better results in AI editing.39:18 - Use specific prompts for effective copy editing with AI.41:37 - Draft Smith improves line editing directly in Microsoft Word.44:42 - Transparency with clients about AI use is crucial.45:04 - Explain how AI tools will protect client’s intellectual property.50:10 - Erin's AI for Editors program is available online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.