Understanding the Concerns Around AI and Writing

Staring at a blank screen can feel daunting, especially when trying to write an initial sentence for a challenging post. It might take me a couple of minutes to muster the right words, a stark contrast to ChatGPT, which can generate an entire page almost instantly. This experience reinforces my belief that ChatGPT is unlikely to undermine the art of writing; rather, it may inspire more individuals to engage in writing and appreciate the raw, unrefined nature of the creative process.

Though I pride myself on being a fast writer, I tend to be a ruthless editor—often eliminating paragraphs shortly after they've been penned. I understand that the essence of good writing emerges during the editing phase, and the key to composition is to generate initial ideas, much like molding clay. ChatGPT excels at this initial phase, but the true artistry unfolds during editing.

Questions about distinguishing AI-generated writing from human writing are becoming increasingly common among educators and lawmakers. However, if we are indeed entering an era of collaboration between humans and AI, the distinction may not be necessary. Authorship has always involved a mix of inspiration, adaptation, and sometimes imitation. Thus, integrating tools like ChatGPT should be seen as an enhancement rather than a threat.

Some critics argue that ChatGPT's writing capabilities mirror those of humans, suggesting it might replace traditional writing. It’s true that ChatGPT can produce coherent and often entertaining sentences. While it may take over structured writing tasks like sports summaries or financial reports, I doubt it will ever replicate the unique styles of writers like Sam Kriss or Zeynep Tufecki.

For me, the writing process is unpredictable—I often don’t know how my piece will conclude or what points I’ll develop along the way. For readers, a written work is an entire entity; it begins, flows, and concludes. Conversely, for the writer, an essay evolves through a cycle of creation, reflection, editing, and restructuring. Once completed, it becomes a static record of a dynamic process. The joy of writing lies not only in the final product but in the creative journey itself.

This creative journey—the struggles, the laughter, the arduous revisions, and the exhilarating moments of clarity—culminates in something distinctly human. While AI tools like ChatGPT can mimic this output, they do not possess the innate ability to generate original thought. Instead, they serve as valuable aids, offering inspiration and insights during the writing process.

At one point while drafting this essay, I considered utilizing ChatGPT to assist in my writing, but the service was temporarily unavailable due to high demand. This situation highlights a significant opportunity for OpenAI, and I believe ChatGPT will prove to be more than just a passing trend. Regardless of our professional status, we all stand to benefit from having intelligent input as we create. In fact, we may discover new forms of writing through our interactions with AI tools, similar to how we innovate in coding, art, and music.

The human capacity to produce essays or musical compositions is unique, representing a distinct thought process that machines do not replicate. This thought process is highly adaptable and will undoubtedly incorporate tools like ChatGPT while retaining its human essence. Ultimately, a piece crafted by human intelligence resonates with other humans in ways that artificial intelligence cannot replicate. In essence, we are drawn to creations made by our own kind. If ChatGPT can assist us in producing more human-made content, then I welcome it wholeheartedly.

The first video titled "Is AI/ChatGPT the End of Creative Writing?" delves into the concerns surrounding AI's role in the writing domain and discusses whether it complements or threatens human creativity.

The second video, "NEVER Ask ChatGPT To Write You A Horror Story...", explores the limitations of AI in crafting nuanced narratives, especially in genres that demand deep emotional engagement.