Editing in the age of AI: Can humans be replaced?

We all know this typical small talk situation. People meet for the first time, e.g. at a party, and start chatting. At some point, this one particular question inevitably comes up that seems to be unavoidable. I can feel it approaching even before the person I’m talking to starts, and bang! There it is: “And what do you do for a living?”

A question mark on my face in response to my answer is not that rare. I actually consider my job to be relatively mundane, but even my son’s primary school teacher once asked me with undisguised perplexity: “And what exactly do you do there?”

What can I say? We editors are the craftsmen of language. We take a text and polish it until it shines – paying attention to spelling, grammar and sentence structure. We check whether the text flows and is easy to understand, whether the words are chosen correctly and the paragraphs are perfectly structured. We put the finishing touches that a rough diamond needs to shine in its full splendor! We check the storyline for its sustainability. Does the structure hold up or are there wobbly walls and sloping floors? We make suggestions for stabilization and check whether windows and doors are sensibly installed and neither jam nor (unintentionally) squeak. This doesn’t just sound like construction work, it is – just in the realm of words.

As AI advances, we are increasingly confronted with the question of whether we consider our profession to be under threat. The answer is a resounding no. Because anyone who thinks that we are just error hunters is very much mistaken. Sure, AI is capable of detecting typos or grammatical errors. It can provide support in this respect, but it can’t do what really makes us tick.

I am often involved in erotic activities (this information often proves very effective in party talks, but that’s another topic 😉). What one, two or a whole group of people can do together is called bed sport for a reason, but it shouldn’t read like hard physical labor. When staging elaborate contortions, authors tend to get lost in the details – and I tend to lose track of where up and down is. There’s only one thing to do in such situations: lie down on the floor and do a dry run! This reveals whether it was just the choice of words that caused confusion or whether the position is anatomically impossible. After all, what sounds somehow comprehensible in your head doesn’t always make sense in reality, unless the person performing the exercise is a contortionist.

In the creative process, it is not always easy to keep the right perspective on your own text. That’s why we help authors to free themselves from their text bubble and adopt the necessary external perspective. We are the critical eye that is both understanding and supportive. We ensure credibility and plausibility – down to the last detail.

For this to succeed, communication between the editor and author is crucial. The editor will never steamroller the work and the author, but will always act as equals and strive for the best result for the text. We are, if you like, the loyal companions of our authors on their journey to the perfect work.

On the way there, we hold hands and handkerchiefs, give encouragement, advice and, if necessary, a kick in the butt.

Show me the AI that can do that.