The digital world is buzzing with one burning question: Will artificial intelligence replace writers and artists? Short answer: Not a chance.
The Fear of Technological Disruption
One of the most recognisable and made-fun-of-catch cries in history, thanks to South Park. First, it was the women, then the immigrants, then computers, robots, self serve checkouts. But, unfortunately, some small-minded people are still scared of pretty much every single one of those coming to take their jobs.
Some are justified in their fears because they suck at their job. Spend too much time complaining about someone coming to take it, protesting about it. So not only do they suck at it, they suck at even trying to do it. The job still has to get done, right?
Consider these eye-opening statistics:
- The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, while machines may displace 80 million jobs, they'll simultaneously create 100 million new jobs in the IT industry alone.
- A Harvard Business Review article (November 2, 2021) emphasizes that automation is about job transformation, not just job destruction.
My Personal AI Experiment: Art and Writing
Let me share a personal experience that perfectly illustrates AI's limitations. When I needed an image for my award-winning short story "Santa's Snow Globe", I spent a week wrestling with AI art generators. The result? Frustration and zero progress.
None of them came close to getting what I wanted. I'm no expert on AI word prompting, but a few better than I had a go, they got the main part of the image.... close. It was painfully clear that I was going to need a human artist.
Someone that could get a "feel" for what I wanted. Start working on it, and show some draft work. Some back-and-forth, suggestions from the writer and the artist. Working together. We eventually got close enough to what I wanted, we had a timeframe issue as well. The turnaround was less than 72 hours. The artist was a friend and was happy to work for % of sales and winnings. You can't do that with AI.
I would have happily paid up front too. Pay people what they are worth, for the work they do. I get quotes most of the time, time permitting, I don't haggle. If it's within my budget, I'll pay. If it's not, I don't get it done.
Anyway, I'd spent a week or more trying to get this image through AI and had ended up frustrated and hadn't written my story either. While she was working on the art, I wrote my story. The art was finished before the story was. The lesson I learnt, artists aren't being replaced by AI. Not the talented ones, for work like that. The other lesson I learnt is, don't waste so much time with AI.
I discovered something crucial: talented artists bring something AI cannot – human intuition, creativity, and nuanced understanding.
The Unbeatable Human Touch in Writing
AI can generate text, but it can't replicate:
- Your unique voice
- Authentic emotional depth
- Creative intuition
- Personalized storytelling
When I challenged ChatGPT to write in my style, it failed spectacularly. The generated story was bland, missing the raw authenticity that defines my writing.
ChatGPT apologised for the misunderstanding and wrote another short story in my style.
Did it, though?
Not even close. I found the story not only relatively bland, but it had a feel-good ending to it. *shudder*.
For a long time, many writers would be scared of someone taking their idea and writing their story. Myself included. As I got older, I realised something. So what? What if they do? For starters, if they get it out and published before you do. Good on them. That's on you. You had a head start and you blew it. More importantly, no one will write my story idea, the way I will write it. And lastly, it won't be written with my "voice".
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Here's my perspective: AI is a tool, much like any other technological advancement. It can:
- Assist with repetitive tasks
- Provide writing suggestions
- Help overcome writer's block
But it cannot replace the magic of human creativity.
Ethical AI Use in Writing
If you choose to use AI in your writing process, transparency is key. My recommendation?
My only sticking point was, I believe, being transparent. That's my opinion. If I used AI to assist me in writing an article. It'll be clear to my readers that I have. I will say, AI wrote X percent of this. I wrote the other X per cent. Or, as in this article, you'll soon see. Screenshots of my conversation with AI.
How you display that is up to you. I have no doubt we'll see a backlash against those that use AI without being transparent about it with their followers and the public. People will feel cheated. Will lose trust in that artist or writer. Trust takes time to build. It can be destroyed in seconds. Value it.
The Future of Writing in an AI World
Writers shouldn't fear AI – they should learn to work alongside it. Enhance your skills, stay curious, and remember: no algorithm can replicate your unique perspective.
As I always say, "It's been done before!" But not with your voice, your style, your creativity.
Key Takeaways:
- AI transforms jobs, it doesn't eliminate them
- Human creativity remains irreplaceable
- Transparency is crucial when using AI writing tools
- Embrace AI as a collaborative tool, not a competitor
Lastly, my conversation with ChatGP from a Mar 2023, things have changed a little.
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Written by James “JD” Armstrong
Founder, Writers Without Walls
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