That is the question, isn’t it? I was asked recently how I am using AI in my profession. I had to pause. It could’ve been the moment when I admit to be a technophobe, or it could’ve been the moment I start to put into words how I really feel about a computer program parading as a polished writer. I went with both.
I admit, I’m not an early adopter when it comes to technology. In fact, I get comfortable with one level of technology and would happily stay there forever, until I’m forced to upgrade and realize how much faster, and efficient the new one is.
That is generally how I feel about AI. I’d happily wait until I’m forced into it. Seems the time has come, though.
As the questions and conversations kept coming, especially because I’m a former journalist and professional copywriter, and people were discovering AI as a tool to improve their own writing needs, I wondered if I needed it too? Would it help improve my writing? I wasn’t sure. I’ve long said that everyone needs an editor, but I knew that this new technology was more than a copyeditor. It was being used to create something from scratch and it was time for me to find out for myself if what exactly it is creating and if it is really that good.
I began by taking a course and I completed, AI for Professional Communication, an online course offered by Kennesaw State University. I learned about prompts and working within the system. I also learned that the final product can’t be left unchecked. A human still needs to read it, edit it, double check it and from a writer’s point-of-view, add a human touch back into the computer-generated prose.
Is it cool how fast it works? Yes. Is the ability to analyze documents and summarize them a huge time-saver? Yes. I can also see how someone who struggles with the written form, would revel in a tool that helps to formulate their thoughts – and makes it sound better too!
But that’s where I stop and wonder: how far do we let this go? Writing is a craft and a skill that needs to be honed. It takes time, effort and energy to get it right. So if we happily take the computer’s version and we don’t use our brains to practice or at least try (and then hire a writer or editor to help!), I worry about the future of inspiration and enlightenment that comes with reading someone’s experience that they’ve worked hard to put down in writing.
Written by Amy 
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