Big Five book publishers quietly adopt AI tools as staff object

Wired reports that HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette have quietly used tools such as Claude and ChatGPT for agent emails, publicity copy, cover art, and marketing without public disclosure or author consent.

Interviews with more than two dozen anonymous workers describe internal AI Champions programs, layoffs that tripled workloads, and an employee letter opposing the Skan AI software trial at Simon & Schuster.

Companies gave varied responses, and HarperCollins did not respond to requests for comment.