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

62 snips

Aug 3, 2025

George Walkley, an AI strategist and former Hachette executive, shares valuable insights on the intersection of AI and the publishing industry. He discusses the necessity of 'prompt literacy' for writers and how AI tools are reshaping creativity. George highlights the importance of ethical AI use, challenges around copyright, and the environmental costs associated with AI. He emphasizes that while AI has potential, the uniqueness of human creativity remains irreplaceable, providing tips for navigating this complex landscape.

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ANECDOTE

AI vs Human Creativity

George Walkley shares that AI is about probability, whereas humans are about possibility.
He describes writing as an embodied, iterative thought process involving revising over time.

ANECDOTE

George's Publishing Journey

George transitioned from bookshops to publishing, becoming marketing director and digital strategist at Little Brown and Ashet.
He developed digital business strategies and advised on mergers and acquisitions in publishing.

INSIGHT

Broad Definition of AI

AI broadly replaces tasks previously done by humans, ranging from supermarket self-checkouts to medical diagnostics.
Large language models like ChatGPT generate new content and are central to concerns among authors and publishers.

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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.

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