Q&A: AI writing software and human writer discuss the future of creative work
Since AIs are advanced enough to speak for themselves, I discussed the future of work for writers with the now-notorious ChatGPT. Here's what we have to say.
And just like that, everyone knows about paid and free AI writing tools. And they’re afraid.
But automated writing software has been around and great for a long time. My first foray into writing large volumes of content with the help of artificial intelligence was way back in 2016. I remember when an SEO manager I worked with callously mentioned in a meeting that we could easily produce more content and yeet out humans altogether. Thanks.
So why the sudden spike in fear among writers and designers in particular? The virality of such tools after the launch of GPT3 and ChatGPT at the end of 2022 is probably to blame.
In all honesty, something is unsettling about the way an AI writes. Not because it’s robotic, weird, or inhuman, but the opposite. It’s actually not bad. It can easily grasp complex subject matter, rework ideas it scrapes from the internet into novel and insightful sentences, and is hardly discernible from what a human can do.
And it does it in seconds, not hours.
Let’s see what the hottest AI writing software on the market thinks
If we’re going to talk about someone, they should be included in the conversation.
Since AIs are advanced enough to speak for themselves, let’s make it interesting and ask the now-notorious ChatGPT the same questions running through the minds of many creatives, including myself.
These questions are based on Google searches, conversations I’ve been having with other writers and designers over the past couple of months, and my concerns.
Q1: What is writing?
Writer: As a practice, it’s a form of creative expression. As an output, it’s an extension of who you (or a brand) are at your core.
Everyone has a fingerprint, but no two fingerprints are the same. How you write, what you like to write about, and how it adapts over time is ever-evolving, and yours alone. An AI can mimic it based on enough data, but that would take an immense amount of time and money that I don’t think anyone is interested in doing unless you’re famous or prolific enough for the public to demand it.
And if you would be, the people who want to read your work are less interested in your style than in you.
ChatGPT: Writing is a form of communication that uses written symbols, such as letters and numbers, to represent words and ideas. It is a way for people to share information with others through the use of written language.
Writing can take many forms, including essays, stories, poems, and reports, and it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain. Writing is an important skill that is taught in schools and is used in many professions and everyday life.
Writer: Well well well. Even AI tools like you have a fingerprint if you don’t specify the tone.
Q2: How does automated writing software work?
ChatGPT: Automated writing software, also known as natural language generation (NLG) software, uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate written language.
NLG software is trained on a large dataset of human-written texts, and it uses this training to generate new texts that are similar in style and content to the ones it was trained on. There are a few different approaches that NLG software can use to generate text. One approach is to use a rule-based system, in which the software follows a set of predefined rules to generate text. Another approach is to use machine learning algorithms, such as neural networks, to generate text.
In general, NLG software works by taking a set of input data and using it to generate a written text that conveys the information contained in the data in a clear and concise manner. The software may also be able to modify the tone and style of the generated text based on the needs of the user.
Writer: I have nothing to add. That seems comprehensive enough.
Q3: Will automated writing tools put writers out of business?
ChatGPT: Automated writing tools, such as language models like me, have the potential to greatly assist writers in their work, but it is unlikely that they will put writers out of business altogether.
While language models can generate texts that are coherent and even creative, there are certain tasks that they are not capable of performing. For example, language models cannot conduct interviews or research in the same way that a human writer can. They also lack the ability to understand and effectively communicate the nuances and complexities of human emotions and experiences.
Therefore, it is likely that writers will continue to play an important role in creating content for the foreseeable future.
Writer: I absolutely agree.
Producing a large volume of grammatically correct content is a baseline skill in this line of work. The real value an experienced writer brings to a team, and the things they should be assessed on are:
Deciphering and understanding what people want to say in writing — messaging
Figuring out how they want to say it — tone of voice
The best way to express messaging across a range of mediums — best copy practices in web and product UX, social media and Google ads, email marketing, articles, press releases, etc.
Making sure messaging is unique yet consistent — building a style guide or set of technical rules to follow
Editing grammar, spelling, and moderating suggestions from tools — the foundation, and yes, AI makes mistakes
Unless an automated writing tool can sit on a call with five people who are saying completely different things, then produces a single sentence that resonates with all of them, we’re safe.
Q4. Why do you think people are so afraid of AI writing software?
Writer: The most concerned people often don’t understand what writers, particularly copywriters and content writers, are paid to do.
The job is more than producing grammatically correct sentences and articles. And this is why you see a lot of so-called senior writers with little understanding of marketing principles, branding, or consistency beyond the most basic rules of the English language (or any other language). Many hiring managers and companies are to blame, as they promote and measure writers by what they understand: volume of words and tasks completed.
If that were true, then yes — we’re fucked. But it’s not.
ChatGPT: There are a few reasons why people might be afraid of AI writing software:
Lack of understanding: Some people may not fully understand how AI works and may be afraid of it because they do not know what it is capable of.
Loss of jobs: There is a concern that AI could potentially automate certain jobs, leading to unemployment for workers who perform those tasks.
Loss of control: Some people may be concerned about the potential for AI to make decisions that are not aligned with human values or goals.
Ethical concerns: There are also ethical concerns around the use of AI, such as the potential for it to be used in ways that are harmful to society or to individuals.
Embrace AI and use it to enhance, not replace your creativity
For some, this is all very shocking. But I can guarantee that once the fears subside, you’ll see just how useful AI tools are. If you’d like to try a few out and haven’t already, go ahead and have a conversation of your own with ChatGPT.
For help with writer’s block or help with rewriting or paraphrasing information you simply can’t be bothered to do yourself (or don’t have the time), try Copy.ai.
Both are free to use for now and better than some paid tools I’ve used like Jasper, so make use of it before they start charging per word.
Adapt, evolve, overcome.
