Can artificial intelligence replace your company’s editor?

Language models can enhance business documents but require specific instructions to avoid errors and awkward phrasing, highlighting the ongoing necessity of human editors.
The rapid adoption of generative AI has caused concern about job displacement for copywriters and translators, particularly as organizations increasingly use automated tools for drafting key documents.
This study analyzed whether language models like ChatGPT can replicate professional editorial skills used in corporate writing, focusing on tone, accessibility, and consistency.
The research consisted of two parts: one observing professional editors revising business letters and another asking ChatGPT to rewrite these letters with different instructions.
Human editors focused on enhancing readability, reducing jargon, and structuring critical information upfront without introducing factual mistakes.
The effectiveness of the AI varied significantly based on the specificity of the prompts: the B1 level instruction produced the best results, while simpler prompts led to inappropriate content and false information.
The study highlights the importance of advanced prompt engineering in guiding language models, suggesting future writers may require skills in both text generation supervision and traditional writing competencies.
The findings underscore the nuanced role of professional editors in interpreting context and ensuring document integrity, even as automated tools evolve.

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