Why You Should Use a Human to Edit AI Copy: Part 1

You’ve dipped (or plunged) your toe into AI and got some words for your website or copy

for your blog content.

But you’re not thrilled with the results so you’re on the hunt for a freelance copy editor or

proofreader to add that vital polish.

While searching, you’re greeted with AI platforms promising to copy edit AI text – deep

existential weirdness right there. So maybe the choice between using a human being or an

AI copyediting tool has got you pondering.

Are AI copyediting tools any good? Or should I use an actual human AI editor? Are there any

risks to my business if I opt for a machine over a living, breathing person?

I’m a copy editor and a human. My livelihood and professional happiness rely on clients

(maybe you?) working with me to write and polish words so they 100% reflect your brand’s

values and tone of voice (among many other super-important things).

So I might be a little biased when trying to persuade you about the limitations of AI

copyediting tools.

But here’s one of the (limited) joys of AI – it agrees with me!

Plus there are so many reasons to work with a human copy editor instead of using one of

the many AI editing tools available, I’ve had to split this blog topic into two posts. Read Part

2 here

An AI’s ‘thoughts’ about AI copy editing

Here are ChatGPT’s musings to reassure you – and me – that authentic human copy editing

still very much has value for you and your business.

Question #1: What are the advantages of using a human to copy edit AI generated text?

“Using a human to copy edit AI-generated text offers several advantages that enhance the

overall quality, accuracy and readability of the content, as AI can produce text that may still

need refinement in certain areas.”

Question #2: Are you as good as a human copy editor?

“AI isn't as good as a human editor for several reasons, despite its growing capabilities. I can be pretty close to a human copy editor, especially for general grammar, style, tone and

clarity. However, human editors bring a level of intuition, nuance and deep understanding of

context that I may not always match. They can make calls based on tone, audience and the

broader goals of the piece in ways that might require a bit more human judgement.”

Hurrah for that. I rest my case. If you need more convincing, read on…

What are the benefits of human copy editing?

Here are the first six reasons (read the next six here) why using a human copy editor makes

sense for your business:

1. Get copy that sounds like you

As it admits above, AI can struggle with nuance, tone and intended audience because of its

limited contextual understanding. Work with an authentic human AI copy editor and your

project will start with an actual conversation rather than a prompt.

I’ll make sure the whole piece aligns with your vision, captures your unique voice, makes an

emotional connection and complements the rest of your business’ content.

When you work with me as an AI copy humaniser, we’ll chat through what you want the AI

tool to produce and how I can then edit its output to sound 100% human and 100% you.

2. Enjoy 100% accuracy and 0% hallucinations

Linked to context is accuracy. While that contextual blind spot might throw up inappropriate

messaging for your brand, the greater danger is that it produces something that simply isn’t

true – what are referred to as ‘AI hallucinations’.

Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker very pleasingly calls them “confident

confabulations”, citing how Chat GPT told him there have been four female US presidents.

Can you name them all…?

An AI writing tool can only scrape information from its training data – and, as well as making

stuff up, can easily misinterpret anything ambiguous. A human copy editor can verify every

fact to ensure 100% accuracy. Thinks stats, references, names and no end of other facts and

figures.

3. Tap into human creativity

There’s a concept that many people think AI-generated content is ‘good enough’. But –

aside from the wider implications to us as a species if we shift away from using our

beautiful, creatively limitless brains – is ‘good enough’ ‘good enough’ for your business?

What about flair and nuance and personality and uniqueness? What about inspiring and

entertaining and dazzling your readers by giving them more than just ‘good enough’?

Armed with in-depth insight into you and your business, a human AI copy editor can refine

and rewrite and polish and shine and no end of wondrous verbs to make every word

engaging and persuasive for your unique audience.

And, of course, tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot don’t – and never will – possess critical

thinking skills so anything involving judgement or subjective interpretation will always prove

impossible.

4. Smooth out flow and rhythm

Readability is underrated. You may not even appreciate it until you come across a piece of

copy that feels like wading through treacle.

AI-generated text is usually – and often noticeably, in a not-so-natural way – well-structured

but flow can often be improved, transitions smoothed out and logical progression between

ideas refined.

When it comes to rhythmical, enjoyable writing, copy editors – and especially those who are

also copywriters – know what great sounds like. And can make sure that greatness

extends consistently across all your marketing communications.

Here’s my fave example of the importance of flow

5. Access proofreading prowess

This is the one we have to shout loudest about. Proofreading – checking for spelling,

grammar and punctuation errors – is an integral part of the job. And yes, AI can do a good

job here. We’ve relied on spellcheck in Word for decades now and Grammarly has further

upped the ante.

But without a human copy editor’s eye, gremlins can still sneak in. Homophones like

to/too/two and transposition errors like form/from might easily be missed by the machines.

And spotting style inconsistencies is the eagle-eyed copy editor’s bread and butter. Those

individual small points that, when added together, create a friction-free read while giving

the very best impression of your business.

6. Work with a human being

Over-relying on AI to get the job done is one more door closed on interacting with actual

people. Humans need humans and, as an AI copy editor, I can promise that working with me

will be a friendly, straightforward process.

Let’s put our human brains together and use it to create unique, authentic content for your

business. Discover more about my Humanising AI Copy service

Read the next six reasons why you should use a human copy editor