Artificial intelligence capabilities continue to evolve rapidly in many fields, including writing and editing. AI can do everything from drone navigation to medical image analysis to fraud detection, not to mention creativity and content creation, which strikes justified fear and anxiety into the hearts of artists everywhere.

Can AI replace human copy editors?

While certain tasks can be automated, many experts say AI is not likely to replace every human job. It can’t fully replicate human creativity, emotional intelligence, empathy, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, caregiving, or ethical decision-making—in short, the nuances of human interaction.

One job that requires all of the above (and a job that AI can only attempt to do) is copy editing. It involves more than just attention to the “right and wrong” of grammar and punctuation—a copy editor needs a true understanding of and admiration for the creative process. A feature like spell-check can be helpful, and while grammar checkers may be less beneficial, they at least provide a starting point. But a human copy editor is an author’s best friend, especially in the world of fiction and creative nonfiction.

What can a human editor do that AI can’t?

ChatGPT, a chatbot developed in 2022 by an AI research lab, uses AI to understand and respond to human-like conversation and compose human-like writing. This chatbot freely admits it can’t measure up to a human copy editor. According to ChatGPT, in answer to the question, “Why are human copy editors better than AI copy editors?” the human copy editor outperforms the AI copy editor for these reasons:

1.   AI “struggles to grasp language nuances, cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and contextual subtleties.”

2.   Human editors are better at applying creativity and judgment to resolve issues of “ambiguous or unconventional language use” since AI may “rely solely on predefined rules and patterns, which might not cover all scenarios.”

3.   AI “may struggle to capture the nuances of subjective preferences” in language, while human editors can “tailor edits according to specific requirements.”

4.   AI “may struggle with more complex grammatical or stylistic issues, especially in creative or technical writing.” Human editors are more accurate and efficient in identifying such issues.

5.   AI “may lack cultural awareness and sensitivity,” while human editors are better at “respecting diversity, avoiding offensive language, and adhering to ethical standards.” 

6.   AI does not offer “meaningful interaction”  or a “collaborative relationship” with an author. The relationship between a human copy editor and an author flourishes in an atmosphere of personalized feedback, discussion of questions and concerns, and honest, supportive dialogue about the author’s work.

The final word

For the best copy editing and proofreading experience, writers should rely on their own skills and instincts and those of their writer friends, beta readers, teachers, and professional copy editors. If human nuances are neglected or removed from the creative process, the final product will suffer. The writer’s voice and worldview could be damaged or lost. As writers and editors, we rely on those “meaningful interactions” and “collaborative relationships” as key parts of our creative processes. Writers will always need the supportive and detail-oriented touch of a human copy editor. In a world more and more reliant on computers, we need to protect what makes us human.

Amy Cecil Holm is Allegory Editing’s resident Copy Editor and Proofreader. As a copy editor and proofreader, Amy draws upon more than three decades of teaching college English to help authors polish their prose. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in creative writing and has worked as a journalist, technical writer, and educator. Amy has taught courses in English composition, literature, creative writing, journalistic writing, business writing, and developmental reading, among others. She has a keen understanding of grammar, punctuation, and diction and uses her careful attention to detail to help prepare manuscripts for submission and publication.