Is AI Killing the Proofreading Industry? Here’s What You Need to Know

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of almost every industry, and the world of proofreading is no exception. With tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and other AI-powered grammar checkers becoming more accessible to everyone, it can make you start to wonder, Is AI killing the proofreading industry?

Is AI Killing the Proofreading Industry

The truth is, AI is not replacing human proofreaders! Phew, that’s good news! The development of AI for proofreaders is more about enhancing the profession and opening new doors. AI is transforming proofreading but for the better! I will show you the areas where human proofreaders still thrive and why becoming a proofreader is a fantastic skill to learn in today’s digital world.

The Role of AI in Proofreading: Helping, Not Replacing

AI-powered tools have revolutionized the way we approach writing and editing. They can spot common grammar mistakes, offer suggestions for clarity, and even check for plagiarism in seconds. These tools can scan entire documents, flagging errors that might take a human proofreader longer to identify. There’s no doubt that AI is making the process faster so lets take a look at the positives and how we can use them.

Here’s how AI is helping proofreaders

  1. Faster Error Detection: AI can quickly spot basic grammatical issues such as spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and subject-verb agreement problems. This speeds up the proofreading process, allowing proofreaders to focus on more complex issues. This is taking the time out of lengthy jobs and making the whole proofreading process much more streamline. I love that I can get the common errors out of the way and focus on tone, style and format.
  2. Consistency: AI tools help maintain consistency in style, tone, and format throughout a document. This is particularly useful for large projects with multiple sections or contributors, where human proofreaders might miss inconsistencies. This all helps with the quality of content for your client. Being able to use AI tools and your skills all leads to better quality and higher value content.
  3. Support for Non-Native English Speakers: AI proofreading tools are incredibly helpful for non-native speakers who need to improve their written English. They offer real-time suggestions and explanations that can help users learn as they go. Being able to proofread your own work with AI means more people can improve their content. I think this will lead to better content everywhere but especially online!
  4. Cost-Effective for Basic Proofreading: For those on a tight budget or looking for quick edits, AI tools can provide a level of proofreading for a fraction of the cost of hiring a human. This makes proofreading more accessible for a wider audience. I wish I had had this when I was at school!!

While these benefits make AI an excellent support tool for proofreaders, it is by no means a replacement. In fact, AI is merely assisting proofreaders like yourself to focus on the more intricate aspects of the job where human expertise is still essential. AI is great but it has no soul or personal interest making human writers and proofreaders very important in making content real.

AI and Proofreading

Where Humans Still Have the Upper Hand in Proofreading

Despite the advances in AI technology, there are several areas where human proofreaders can’t be replaced!

  1. Understanding Context and Nuance: AI can only work with what it’s given. It doesn’t understand context the way humans do. For example, a sentence may be grammatically correct, but the tone or meaning could be off. A human proofreader can identify and correct these issues based on the broader context of the document. AI doesn’t get our little jokes and sayings, no fun in that haha!
  2. Creativity and Style: AI is great for correcting basic errors, but it struggles when it comes to creative writing or nuanced stylistic choices. Whether it’s making sure a piece of writing is engaging, preserving an author’s voice, or ensuring the content flows naturally, human proofreaders excel in this area. We make the content alive!
  3. Complex Grammar Rules: While AI tools can easily spot basic errors, they still struggle with more complex grammar rules, such as the use of commas in nonrestrictive clauses or sentence fragments. A human proofreader with a strong understanding of grammar will catch these issues. I find them all the time now with work that has been edited with AI, it is almost a new skill I have to develop to catch the AI changes in grammar or punctuation.
  4. Cultural Sensitivity and Tone: AI tools may overlook cultural nuances or tone, which can be a big deal in writing. A human proofreader can ensure that a piece of content is appropriate and sensitive to various audiences. This is especially important for businesses or content creators targeting specific demographics. We still need human proofreaders to keep the work personal, with soul and kindness in it.
  5. Proofreading for Specific Industries: When it comes to specialized fields like legal documents, medical writing, or technical manuals, human proofreaders who have expertise in those areas are needed. AI can’t always catch industry-specific jargon or ensure that content is accurate and clear. A final human eye over the content is still needed to ensure the correct information is being communicated.
Learning to be a proofreader

Why Becoming a Proofreader is Still a Great Online Skill to Have

So, if AI is enhancing the proofreading process, why should you become a proofreader in the first place? Here’s why..

  1. High Demand for Proofreaders: Despite the rise of AI, there is still a massive demand for skilled human proofreaders. Businesses, writers, authors, and content creators need proofreaders to ensure their work is polished and professional. Whether it’s for books, articles, websites, or social media posts, people still need that human touch to ensure their content resonates with their audience. AI is great but it still makes mistakes just like us haha! So having a human go over final work is still important in creating quality content.
  2. Flexible, Work-from-Home Opportunity: Proofreading is a fantastic remote job that offers flexibility in work hours and lifestyle. You can work from anywhere, set your own hours, and choose the types of projects that interest you. This makes it a great side hustle or full-time career for people looking to work from home. It also fits in well with those wishing to work and travel.
  3. Constantly Evolving Industry: The proofreading industry is constantly evolving, especially with AI advancements. As a proofreader, you get the opportunity to use AI tools to enhance your work, while still providing the human insight and expertise that can’t be replicated by machines. This hybrid model makes the proofreading profession even more exciting and relevant in the digital age. It is important to keep up with new developments though so you can be a leader in the industry. This helps you service your clients better leading to more work.
  4. Personal and Professional Growth: As a proofreader, you’ll develop a wide range of skills, from attention to detail and language proficiency to time management and communication. Plus, you get to work with different types of content, expanding your knowledge and experience in various industries. Again, being ahead in the AI industry is huge! It is not going anywhere so having an understanding on how you can use it as a tool is very important.
  5. Potential for Great Income: Skilled proofreaders can earn a solid income, especially as they gain experience and specialize in certain types of content. As businesses and content creators continue to value high-quality, error-free writing, the demand for professional proofreaders will only grow. After the Google Helpful Content Update (HCU) it is more important than ever that businesses and creators have good quality content for their readers.


If you’re interested in starting your career as a proofreader, check out the Proofread Anywhere Course, where you can learn everything you need to get started and grow your proofreading business. Whether you’re just beginning or want to refine your skills, this course can set you on the path to success.

Proofreading career

Embrace AI, But Don’t Let It Replace You! Keeping Up in The AI Age.

AI is certainly changing the proofreading landscape, but it’s not killing the industry—it’s making it more efficient and accessible. While AI tools are excellent for detecting common mistakes, they still can’t match the nuanced understanding, creativity, and expertise that human proofreaders bring to the table. Basically we aren’t being replaced, we just have new tools to help us make the quality of work even better!

If you’re considering a career in proofreading, it’s a fantastic skill to have, and with the right tools (including AI), you can position yourself as a highly sought-after proofreader. The demand for human proofreaders is strong, and with the rise of remote work, it’s a job that offers both flexibility and growth potential. So it is important to embrace AI and learn all about how it can assist you in your work. It is also important to be able to educate clients on appropriate use of AI tools and when the human eye is still required.

By embracing AI as a supportive tool and honing your own proofreading skills, you can build a thriving career in an industry that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Are you using Ai tools to enhance your work? Are you interested in developing these tools into your workflow? I know I am using it to do a quick scan, picking up the most common errors. Then I get to work using my proofreading skills to make sure all is perfect! 

Proofreading as a rewarding career

Interested in getting your proofreading skills up to scratch? 

Is AI Killing the Proofreading Industry?

What are your thoughts? I think it is important to keep up with the times. AI is great yet not perfect so still needs humans as the final check. New jobs evolve as the technology does and there are always new positions popping up. Another area to look into is teaching the AI how to do these skills- very interesting!

MY TIP– Get onto YouTube and Tiktok to learn about the proofreading and Grammar AI tools that are available. Start looking at how they can help you with proofreading to enhance the content you are working on. Get your head around what others are using and how it can enhance your work.

Happy Proofreading!

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