Macmillan employees say the publisher held a launch party for an internal AI assistant that was later shut down. Staff told WIRED the tool, called NOA, or “No Ordinary Assistant,” failed to deliver useful results. The celebration drew scrutiny as the assistant’s shortcomings became clear.
Workers described NOA as unhelpful in everyday tasks. The assistant struggled to meet expectations set during its rollout. Its shutdown followed internal frustration over its performance.
The episode highlights growing tension between publishers and their staff over AI adoption. Employees question whether such tools solve real problems or drain resources. The failed launch has become a talking point inside the company.
Bestselling authors also report strained relationships with the Big Five publishers. Writers say AI initiatives are complicating contract talks and creative trust. Many feel their concerns are being sidelined.
The dispute extends beyond Macmillan. Across the industry, authors worry that AI tools could undermine their work. Publishers face pressure to balance innovation with transparency.
Staff at Macmillan say the NOA rollout lacked clear communication. Some learned of the tool’s limits only after the party. The shutdown raised questions about how AI projects are evaluated.
The case underscores a broader challenge for publishing. Companies must weigh the promise of AI against practical results and employee trust. So far, the NOA experiment has delivered more lessons than answers.
