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Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT in your writing

Updated: 5 days ago

Artificial intelligence is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning. ChatGPT is a web-based program that uses AI to generate human-like responses to questions and prompts. You can try it for yourself at https://chatgpt.com/ It is a webpage that looks like Google but instead of returning links to the sources of where it gets information from, it writes an answer out for you.

 

Here is an example. I typed in “write a 100 word story about a unicorn”. It gave me this:

 

In a hidden glade, beneath a canopy of shimmering leaves, lived a unicorn named Elara. Her coat sparkled like starlight, and her horn glowed with a gentle warmth. One day, a lost traveler stumbled upon her grove, weary and sad. Sensing his heartache, Elara approached, her presence radiating comfort. With a gentle nuzzle, she offered him a ride on her back. As they soared over mountains and rivers, the traveler’s worries faded into the wind. When they returned, he found his spirit lifted, carrying the magic of the unicorn within him. Elara watched him go, knowing he would spread her light.

 

That’s pretty good. Should writers be worried they’ll be replaced?

There is no question that AI-generated writing is a game-changer across all professions. In the writing world, you will have already read news articles written by AI “journalists” without realising it. Schools and universities are experiencing real challenges. If a student can just type an essay question into ChatGPT, copy the answer and submit it as their assessment, how can a teacher or tutor know? The jobs of technical writers, marketers, transcriptionists, proof-readers, PR and communication specialists, screenwriters and other writing professionals are all under threat from AI. The history of capitalism tells us that if a business can still make money without having to pay a human to do a task, then that human’s job can disappear. Ask any former factory worker what that feels like.

 

What about authors?

ChatGPT will make it even harder for authors to promote their work and make money from their books than it is now. This is because ChatGPT is changing how online content is discovered. It is a massive threat to the dominance of Google, Meta (owner of Facebook/Instagram) and the other tech giants who serve up our internet results. Instead of giving us multiple options to choose from like search engines, ChatGPT merely tells us what it wants us to know.

 

Here’s an example. I asked ChatGPT to recommend an Australian book to me. It suggested “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. Zusak is Australian but the book is not set in Australia. So I asked it to recommend a book set in Australia. It suggested “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion then followed up with “The Book Thief”! But when I put the same question into Google, it’s top two results were a link to the Australian Book Review website and an article in The Guardian titled the “Top Australian books of 2023.”

 

With Google, at least you get options to choose from to decide for yourself. With ChatGPT, you get Zusak or Simsion. That’s great for them but where does it leave everyone else?

 

Not only that, but if we’ve learnt anything since the dawn of the internet age, eventually whoever pays for their content to be easily discovered will receive that privilege from ChatGPT just like they currently do with Facebook, Google et al. The more you pay, the more privilege you receive.

 

It is not all doom and gloom for writers because ChatGPT can not substitute creative thought.

 

ChatGPT summarises information but it does not know if it is correct or not. It is not self-aware and it’s not uniquely creative. It is a tool, not a replacement.

 

As AI automates more tasks, uniquely human skills will become even more crucial. AI won’t ever substitute true creativity or innovation. In fact, there’s an argument that it will enhance them.

 

Can I use ChatGPT to improve my writing?

This is what ChatGPT thinks it can help you with:

  1. Feedback: Share your writing, and I can provide constructive feedback on structure, clarity, and style.

  2. Editing: I can help you refine your work by suggesting edits for grammar, punctuation, and word choice.

  3. Brainstorming: If you're stuck, I can help you brainstorm ideas, plot points, or character development for stories.

  4. Writing Prompts: I can generate prompts to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.

  5. Style Guidance: Share a piece of writing, and I can analyze the style and suggest ways to achieve a specific tone or voice.

  6. Research: If you need information or context for your writing, I can provide insights and data.

  7. Practice: You can practice specific writing techniques or styles by asking for exercises or examples.

 

Isn’t that cheating?

That is THE question being debated at all levels of society right now. In my opinion, you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. I like to say that I want AI to help me with tasks I don’t want to do not the things I enjoy, like writing. But if it helps you with aspects of editing, proof-reading, grammar, ideas or other issues you know you struggle with, then have a go.

 

Be aware that if you’re intending to enter your writing in competitions and you’ve used AI, then read the guidelines carefully. Like every new technology, this is a very moveable space.

 

Ultimately, you will have to decide for yourself.

 

Further resources:

There are LOTS of YouTube videos discussing these issues. Here are three:

 

Reddit has many interesting discussions from writers about this issue too. Search for “writers and ai reddit” for links.


 

 
 
 

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