What does AI mean for the future of editorial work?
The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GrammarlyGO has prompted quiet panic across the writing and editing world. Will these tools replace us? Is there still a future for human writers and editors in a world where content can be generated in seconds?
As someone who’s spent over two decades in news rooms and communications departments, writing and editing everything from news articles to corporate reports, I believe the answer is yes – but only if we evolve.
Here’s my take on what AI means for editorial work, and how we can adapt to stay relevant and valuable.
Speed isn’t the same as clarity
AI can produce a wall of words fast but that doesn’t mean they make sense, strike the right tone or reflect the nuance of your message.
AI is trained to generate probable sentences, not necessarily true or strategic ones. Writers and editors still play a critical role in shaping meaning, identifying logical gaps and tailoring language to purpose.
In other words, AI can help you draft. But it won’t ensure clarity, alignment or trust. That’s still our job.
The flood of content makes clarity more valuable, not less
AI has created a content explosion. More reports, more summaries, more blogs. And with that comes more noise. For governments, NGOs and development partners, this means important messages get lost in the flood.
That’s why editorial clarity is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It’s essential. Readers are overloaded and time-poor. The job now is not just writing and editing – it’s prioritising, distilling and curating information so people can act on it.
Human insight, ethical judgment and context still matter
AI doesn’t know your audience. It doesn’t know the political climate, the internal sensitivities or the history behind a decision. It doesn’t understand tone in the way a human does – or when a phrase might be inappropriate, misleading or out of step with a program’s objectives.
This matters even more in international development, where cultural nuance and political sensitivity are critical.
Editors bring context. We help shape language that lands well with donors, communities, or cabinet ministers.
Editorial services are evolving
At Lantern Editorial, we’re not ignoring AI – we’re working with it. AI can be a useful tool. It can summarise a transcript, tidy up first drafts or generate a list of headline options. But it still needs a human eye to check for accuracy, improve the flow and ensure the content reflects the values and goals of the organisation.
It’s not about resisting the future – it’s about shaping it responsibly. We treat AI like an intern. It’s great for the mundane tasks but it doesn’t replace experience and human expertise. When writing a document, we bring our understanding of the client’s needs to every word. When editing a report, we still check every single line.
What this means for our clients
If you work in government or international development, you’ve likely been asked to do more with less – and faster. AI might help with volume, but what you really need is clarity, strategy and trust.
That’s what we offer. Editorial support that ensures your communications are not just correct, but purposeful, audience-ready and aligned with your mission.
In summary
Yes, AI is changing how we manage workflows. But it hasn’t made writers and editors obsolete. If anything, it’s made our role more important – helping people make sense of complexity, avoid costly mistakes and communicate with care in a crowded world.
We’re not here to compete with machines. We’re here to ensure your words make sense to real people.
Interested in working with Lantern Editorial? We offer editing, writing and plain English support for government, development and non-profit clients.
