As a former journalist I feel very strongly about this subject. I have always enjoyed writing. Being able to write down exactly my thoughts or feelings on a subject is liberating. As anyone who knows my style of writing, I like to write as if I’m talking to someone – a conversation on a page!
However, on the introduction of AI into my workplace and increasingly my home, a question has loomed in my head around how much writing should I actually be doing from scratch? When I consider how quickly and easily AI can write an article, compared to the length of time and effort it would take me – where does the value lie?
And I think this is the nub of a wider conversation that needs to be had, not just within our own heads, but also within homes, workplaces and board rooms. “What do we want AI to be doing and what do we not want it to be doing?”
I often speak to people on their use of AI and what is very clear, is that we all seem to use it differently! When focusing specifically on the task of writing, it turns out that many people don’t enjoy writing at all. They find it a laborious and difficult task.
Staff with dyslexia for example have told me that they struggle to get started when writing an article. They therefore find AI is incredibly helpful at suggesting to them an initial starting point, which they then expand upon. This not only saves them a lot of time, but it also reduces their anxiety with completing a writing task and helps them feel more confident overall. That’s a massive win!
Others I’ve spoken to like to use AI to enhance the work that they’ve already written. That’s another massive win!
For me however, when it comes to my words that I’ve written, I don’t want AI coming anywhere near it. At the moment (and never say never), even after various prompting trials, I haven’t found AI to be able to mimic my exact style. I also recognise the value of the enjoyment that I get from writing…..so for me, maintaining my voice and love of writing is currently my win.
….All of that said, do I use AI in practically every other facet of my working (and mostly personal) life – absolutely!!! And will the value of my writing change as AI improves and other pressures on my time increase – who knows?