Big Five publishers adopt AI tools for publicity, agent emails and cover art without disclosure
Overview
Wired reports that HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette have quietly used LLM tools such as Claude and ChatGPT for agent emails, publicity and back-cover copy, cover art and marketing materials, without public disclosure or author consent.
The report is based on interviews with more than two dozen workers who spoke anonymously, and it describes internal AI Champions programs and layoffs that tripled workloads.
A current HarperCollins employee says senior leaders bought Claude licenses from Anthropic months ago but "very quickly realized they didn't know how to implement them." Simon & Schuster employees began gathering signatures on an open letter to CEO Greg Greeley expressing "strong opposition" to bringing Skan AI or similar software into its workflows. HarperCollins did not respond to requests for comment, and the companies gave varied responses.
Written by AI from the articles below · updated Oct 10, 1:18 AM ET
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- Wired · AINewsBig Five book publishers quietly adopt AI tools as staff object
AIWired 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.
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