Maine Woods Editing

Here's why I don't support AI in writing, editing, and book art:

Artificial Intelligence/AI Policy

When you pay me to work on your manuscript, you are paying for a human editor. I do not use AI for editing.

I do not accept manuscripts for editing that have had any sections written or generated by AI. (Editing programs are fine, but the text must be 100% written by you.)

• AI has been trained on the work of humans, and for the most part, those creatives were not compensated.

• There’s more to art, writing, and editing than creating a prompt; education, training, and experience matter.

• AI text and images cannot be copyrighted, so whatever you create using AI can be created/copied and sold by anyone else.

• The people who would normally get paid for these jobs are losing their livelihoods.

• AI sometimes creates information that is biased and/or false, and it’s not likely to flag legal or ethical issues with texts or accurately fact check.

• AI artwork isn’t particularly realistic; AI writing can sound wooden and voiceless, adhering strictly to rules; and AI editing doesn’t catch inconsistencies, understand the nuances of language, edit to specific style guides, or make concrete suggestions to improve the text.

• AI requires a tremendous amount of energy and fresh water and contributes to global warming.*

• People support creatives, small businesses, and local communities; AI does not.

• If you use AI to write a book or create a piece of art, what stake do you have in the product? Where’s the pride of mastering a skill, learning a craft, using your intellect, persevering? It feels more like a participation trophy than something truly earned, something that no one else but you could have created. And from an observer’s standpoint, can you appreciate an AI’s work the same as a living artist’s creation? Can it be worth as much if anyone with the right prompt could replicate/reproduce it? (Have a listen to Daphne Willis's song "Work For It.")

• Art, writing, music are ways humans interpret, interact with, and express their emotions about their world. What is an AI expressing, and do I care? How will we get new ideas, new art styles, new ways of thinking if we’re all using AI that regurgitates the past? In the realm of creativity, AI limits innovation and diversity.

• I revel in the creativity and ingenuity of the people around me. They continually astound me with their work, their perseverance, and their drive, and they inspire me in turn. I don't want to lose that sort of wonder in the world.