5 Reasons Why AI Won’t Replace Proofreaders and Editors

If you’re considering a career as a freelance proofreader or editor, you may be wondering how the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) writing tools will impact your business. And while the landscape of this technology is always evolving, AI is not likely to replace proofreaders and editors anytime soon. In this blog post, we discuss:

• What AI is
• What advantages it offers for proofreading and editing
• What limitations it has in proofreading and editing

Keep reading to learn why skilled editors and proofreaders are still in demand, despite the surge in popularity of AI writing tools.

What Is AI?

AI language tools, such as ChatGPT and Jasper, use natural language processing and work with users to provide fluent, in-depth responses to inquiries. AI software has been trained on massive bodies of data, meaning it can generate substantial amounts of text on command, engage in back-and-forth “conversations,” and provide information on a wide range of topics.

Advantages of Using AI for Proofreading and Editing

When used alongside a real-life editor, AI can help streamline the proofreading and editing process. AI-powered editing tools can quickly analyze large amounts of writing, identifying errors and suggesting replacements relatively quickly. This capability can be helpful because it speeds up the editing process and facilitates faster turnaround times. And since AI can help editors identify surface errors, it can also allow them to focus on more detailed, subjective errors and style issues.

Limitations of Using AI for Proofreading and Editing

Nevertheless, using AI for editing and proofreading has several limitations. Some of these are described below.

1. Factual Accuracy

Any material that AI generates should be fact-checked carefully because AI sometimes confidently yields unreliable or inaccurate information, presenting it as the truth. So even if a writer has used AI tools in their writing, they should still have a human proofreader check it for accuracy.

2. Contextual Understanding

AI algorithms may struggle to understand the context in which we use certain words or phrases. The algorithms can’t always accurately interpret the intended meaning of a sentence and may focus on precision at the expense of preserving the author’s desired voice. Unlike AI, human editors can recognize the nuances of tone and style, especially for creative writing, which has some flexibility in its application of grammar and punctuation rules.

3. Style Guide Limitations

AI algorithms are generally not experts in the brand voice and team culture of specific organizations or industries. Therefore, businesses will always need editors to ensure that content reflects the desired style guidelines, terminology, and specialized writing conventions.

4. Creativity and Editorial Expertise

AI language tools aren’t designed with flexibility in mind, meaning they’re not ideal for editing creative writing, such as fiction or poetry. Often, writers depend on the knowledge and expertise of editors to offer suggestions on how to improve character and plot development, for example – elements that go beyond AI capabilities. Editors can provide valuable ways to make a story more engaging and impactful and offer writers the kind of critical evaluation that isn’t possible with AI alone.

5. Nuanced Assessments

While AI is trained to recognize certain errors, it can miss mistakes or suggest unnecessary changes, providing reasons for always hiring a skilled proofreader to do the final review before publication. In addition, proofreaders and editors are more reliable at spotting subtle dialect differences, potentially biased language, and shifts in tone or voice. These professionals can adapt points of view to specific genres and make judgment calls based on the target audience of the client.

Knowadays Courses

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a freelance proofreader or editor? Our courses prepare you to provide a worthwhile and comprehensive service that goes beyond the scope of AI capabilities. Check out our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses and sign up for a free trial today!