#156: George Walkley – Understanding AI: A Practical & Positive Guide for Writers, Creators & Publishers, Plus Ethics, AI vs Human Imagination.

George Walkley, AI strategist and former publishing executive at Hachette, on what writers need to know about artificial intelligence, how it’s reshaping the creative and publishing industries, and how to use it responsibly in your writing life.

We discuss:

• How George transitioned from traditional publishing to AI consulting
• The difference between AI probability and human creativity
• Why everyone should develop “prompt literacy”
• How publishing houses and bookselling platforms are already using AI
• The challenges of AI detection, authorship disclosure & ethical sourcing
• The environmental cost of AI — and how it compares to other tools
• Why AI is already embedded in tools we use every day
• How writers can make informed, personal choices around AI use
• And more exclusive tips for writers and creatives

About George Walkley
George Walkley is an independent consultant specialising in AI and the publishing industry. He has developed and delivers the world’s first independent, CPD-accredited AI course aimed specifically at the publishing industry and has trained people from over 200 publishing organisations. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Hachette.

Resources and Links:

• 📑 Interview Transcript
• Open letter to publishers
• Mistral AI
• Society of Authors
• Jane Friedman
• George’s newsletter

Episode Sponsor: 

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