I have been concerned about AI since the early 90s when a particularly brilliant philosophy teacher raised the red flag about intellectual integrity in writing, dangers of pirating, etc. I am one person, so what I think won't matter in the larger scale. On principle, I don't use AI to assist me in writing. That way, I can say without hesitation to my publisher that this is MY work.
I think these parts are key: "Ultimately, I spent as much time reading and editing the Copilot copy as I would have writing the article by myself" and also "I did not enjoy writing it." If it doesn't save time and it's not fun, then where's the advantage? Also, many writers have reported on the inaccuracy of ChatGPT's "research." It invents quotations that people never said, and cites real sources that if you didn't take time to look at the primary source you'd never know that ChatGPT's "fact" was made up. Here's just one example from a lawyer, there are many more: https://youtube.com/shorts/60WVb1HLy8Y?si=P8SMg3KIm2IJixBe
I work at a corporation and we use Gen AI tools occasionally. Invariably, they spit out the most generic, glossy, soulless copy you've ever read in your life. Sadly, for many corporate applications, that style might be the goal. But I'd never use it for any writing that I wanted to sound like my own creative work with my own voice and personality.
Thanks for the thoughtful article. I was an AI Specialist before exiting corporate. My perspective from 30 years in tech: All major innovation is met with initial resistance. The most parallel example being the printing press. Did you know that when the printing press was invented many people feared it and tried to ban it? We are early days in this technology (as you adeptly point out). The sooner writers learn to leverage this powerful & frightening tool, the more input and control we will have to shape how it redefines the creative industry. There are some who believe we are indeed on a precipice of a third renaissance. Which is exciting! I look forward to watching it all unfold.
I actually just used it- Gemini on an article that I have been writing for some time. What impressed me was no only the way it was able to structure the article but the suggestions- strength and weakness noticed in the written piece
I do a lot of writing for the advocacy work I’m doing. This involves both research and making a case for the advocacy to a wide array of individuals. I have found Claude by Anthropic to be an extremely useful tool for the research aspect. It’s far more efficient than combing through the websites of state governments.
I use ChatGPT a LOT. If you don't use it, you're missing out on the greatest tool, to maximise creativity, ever created by man. Every failed prompts, improves your thinking process.
I have been concerned about AI since the early 90s when a particularly brilliant philosophy teacher raised the red flag about intellectual integrity in writing, dangers of pirating, etc. I am one person, so what I think won't matter in the larger scale. On principle, I don't use AI to assist me in writing. That way, I can say without hesitation to my publisher that this is MY work.
I think these parts are key: "Ultimately, I spent as much time reading and editing the Copilot copy as I would have writing the article by myself" and also "I did not enjoy writing it." If it doesn't save time and it's not fun, then where's the advantage? Also, many writers have reported on the inaccuracy of ChatGPT's "research." It invents quotations that people never said, and cites real sources that if you didn't take time to look at the primary source you'd never know that ChatGPT's "fact" was made up. Here's just one example from a lawyer, there are many more: https://youtube.com/shorts/60WVb1HLy8Y?si=P8SMg3KIm2IJixBe
I work at a corporation and we use Gen AI tools occasionally. Invariably, they spit out the most generic, glossy, soulless copy you've ever read in your life. Sadly, for many corporate applications, that style might be the goal. But I'd never use it for any writing that I wanted to sound like my own creative work with my own voice and personality.
Thanks for the thoughtful article. I was an AI Specialist before exiting corporate. My perspective from 30 years in tech: All major innovation is met with initial resistance. The most parallel example being the printing press. Did you know that when the printing press was invented many people feared it and tried to ban it? We are early days in this technology (as you adeptly point out). The sooner writers learn to leverage this powerful & frightening tool, the more input and control we will have to shape how it redefines the creative industry. There are some who believe we are indeed on a precipice of a third renaissance. Which is exciting! I look forward to watching it all unfold.
I actually just used it- Gemini on an article that I have been writing for some time. What impressed me was no only the way it was able to structure the article but the suggestions- strength and weakness noticed in the written piece
I do a lot of writing for the advocacy work I’m doing. This involves both research and making a case for the advocacy to a wide array of individuals. I have found Claude by Anthropic to be an extremely useful tool for the research aspect. It’s far more efficient than combing through the websites of state governments.
I use ChatGPT a LOT. If you don't use it, you're missing out on the greatest tool, to maximise creativity, ever created by man. Every failed prompts, improves your thinking process.
https://youtu.be/nHR1eVuq8hA?si=bZ61wwLzhpfTUSNr