Jane Friedman: What Writers Need to Know About AI

Like it or hate it, artificial intelligence is an inescapable feature of work and life for writing and publishing today. The tools and services you use already incorporate AI functionality, including Microsoft Word, Zoom, SuperHuman (Grammarly), Gmail, Google search, and Google Docs. Eventually, AI will be an accepted and normal part of the writing and publishing process.

In plain English, Jane will explain how AI is already being used (for both good and bad purposes) and how authors can prepare for the future regardless of their position on the technology. (Don’t worry, the world will still need writers and editors in a world with AI.) For those concerned about their intellectual property and copyright, we'll look at the most prevalent types of fraud or infringement, and what you can do if you find yourself affected. And for those open to using the technology themselves, Jane will show key tools and methods for augmenting your process in a way that's ethical and legal.

Developments and concerns surrounding AI are constantly shifting, as will the content of this session. It will clarify as needed the current status of copyright lawsuits against the AI companies, the latest concerns surrounding AI tools, and any other breaking news that affects writers and publishers.

About the instructor
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry. Her latest book is THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER, SECOND EDITION (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing. Learn more at JaneFriedman.com.