GoKawiilHarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette internally deploy AI tools despite public anti-AI stance
Interviews with over two dozen employees reveal that at least three Big Five publishers—HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette—are using tools like Claude and ChatGPT internally for tasks such as agent correspondence, cover design, and marketing copy, without public disclosure. This contrasts with publishers' public actions against AI, including lawsuits against Google and the cancellation of books suspected of containing AI-generated content. Staff say many more undisclosed cancellations over AI use have occurred than have been publicly reported.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The gap between publishers' public anti-AI messaging and their internal AI adoption suggests companies may be managing reputational risk while still pursuing efficiency gains from the same technology they publicly criticize. Employee pushback over legal, ethical and environmental concerns—met with dismissive responses from management, according to one attendee—points to unresolved internal tension that could affect labor relations and author trust going forward.
- At least three Big Five publishers are using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT internally without disclosure.
- Employees say many more authors have had books cancelled over suspected AI use than publicly reported.
- Internal staff concerns about AI's ethical and environmental impact were reportedly dismissed by management at HarperCollins.
Source: wired.com — Adam Morgan, 2026-10-09
Published there as: “Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting”
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