Simon & Schuster staff push back on AI plan as chief points to workflow
Employees at Simon & Schuster have signed an open letter to chief executive Greg Greeley opposing plans to introduce AI-powered software inside the publishing house. They fear the tool could allow management to monitor staff productivity. The dispute was reported on 7 October 2026 by Publishers Marketplace in an article by Erin Somers.
The reply came quickly. Greeley sent a memo to staff on Tuesday to address the objections. He told staff he wants more efficient solutions considered as part of the 2027 technology roadmap, meaning the organisation's plan for future systems and tools.
The memo named one product under review. Simon & Schuster is exploring whether software including Blueprint from Skan AI could help assess how work is currently performed. That assessment, Greeley said, is about understanding day-to-day processes across teams.
He described the interest as workflow improvement. In other words, finding better tools and processes to equip teams, rather than tracking individual output. Staff who signed the letter, addressed to Greeley and company leadership, remain opposed to implementation.
For readers, this matters because a book passes through many hands before it reaches a shelf. Editors, designers, production staff and sales teams all handle the manuscript in turn. A change to how that work is measured can feel personal inside a publishing house.
No decision on adoption has been announced. The open letter sets out staff concern. The memo sets out management's stated purpose. Both sides are now on record.
