A THOMASIAN publisher and writer urged authors to preserve their individual voices and rely on human editors as the publishing industry has yet to adopt precise, industry-wide guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“AI is here to stay. If we do not control technology, it will control us,” Kath Eustaquio-Derla, a journalism alumna and founder of publishing company PaperKat Books, told the Varsitarian during the annual Philippine Readers and Writers Festival on Aug. 16.
Derla said writers were still in the early stages of adapting to AI and should use the technology without compromising their identity and writing style.
She stressed that the human element remained crucial to the creative process.
“I would prefer authors to write badly,” Derla said. “Just write it as you, and then let the human editors work.”
A study titled “Is generative AI a job killer? Evidence from the freelance market,” published by the Brookings Institution, found a nearly 2% decline in new monthly contracts for copyeditors, proofreaders and other text-based freelancers after ChatGPT was launched in 2022.
Amid the absence of industry-wide rules, Derla said some publishers have begun adopting their own policies.
PaperASIA, an international journal, allows authors to use AI tools for language assistance while holding them responsible for the accuracy and originality of their work.
Under its policy, authors may use tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly to improve readability, language and grammar. AI tools may not be used to generate or manipulate research data, images, references or analysis.
Derla authored the 2014 romance novel “Before I Do” and served as publisher of the 2022 anthology “Dystopia Manila.”
PaperKat Books began operations in early 2020 as a publishing service and imprint under HS Grafik Print, catering to independent Filipino authors and local literary anthologies.
Derla delivered a lecture on author branding and manuscript writing during the three-day literature festival at the National Book Store Building in Cubao, Quezon City.
The festival ran from Aug. 14 to 16 and featured panel discussions, storytelling sessions and book signings. P. C. O. Trono
