Human Editors is an initiative run by an international group of editorial professionals. Our aim is to raise awareness of the value of human editing. We provide a custom-built directory to connect authors and publishers with experienced and skilled editors and proofreaders from around the world.

We highlight our work as human editors because we believe that only editors who think and feel, and who have lived experience, can make the subtle judgements required in editorial work. Generative AI can be a useful tool for some repetitive mechanical tasks, but it does not have our instinctive ability as humans to perceive and evaluate tone, nuance, and context. Nor is it sensitive to how language can be used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and historic bias. There are also widespread concerns about AI’s relation to intellectual property rights, its unethical foundations, and its environmental sustainability. This is not to suggest that human editors reject all AI use: some editors use AI judiciously for specific tasks. We encourage authors and publishers to be open about their expectations and preferences with potential editors.

Human Editors is incorporated in the United Kingdom as a non-profit community interest company (CIC). It has been set up to serve and promote the interests of experienced freelance editorial professionals and their clients. All our income is applied to this end. Our three directors are Richard Wynne (UK), Marieke Krijnen (Poland), and Aalap Trivedi (Canada).