US book publishers face staff backlash over secret artificial intelligence adoption

Three major United States book publishers are quietly integrating large language models into their daily publishing workflows without public disclosure or author consent, Wired AI and WIRED reported. Employees at HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, and Hachette revealed that executives are pushing junior staff members to adopt and champion these automated technologies. [1][2]

According to interviews with more than two dozen anonymous publishing employees, companies are using models such as Claude and ChatGPT to perform administrative and creative tasks. These tasks include drafting emails to literary agents, generating publicity materials, writing back-cover text, and designing book cover art. [1]

The undisclosed rollout of these automated tools has generated internal revolt among publishing staff who worry about job security and artistic integrity. Workers noted that corporate executives are actively encouraging lower-level staff to champion the technology despite widespread ethical concerns within the industry. [1]