Should Writers Really be Sharpening their Pencils Against the Threat of AI?

By K.L Bexon

With the increased use of ChatGPT, some writers have become concerned about what it could mean for them and their profession. Now, while I am sure no one (or at least, no one living above a dingy, mouldy basement) has visions of SkyNet smashing the book market with their best sellers and destroying the livelihoods of writers world wide, I do understand why some feel hesitant at the idea of inviting AI into our creative spaces.

But first of all, let's talk about AI. What does AI really mean? According to IBM, they describe it as, "a field which combines computer science and robust datasets, to enable problem-solving." Simply put, AI is a system that relies on data already available to create logical solutions to problems. Combine this with Alan Turing's idea that AI are "systems that act like humans", then we can see that this area of science, while helpful, may not really be adding anything new. It bases its ideas off of human data gathering and programming, and is only meant to mimic human behaviour. Now, in terms of applying this to a creative field, such as art or writing, AI has a problem. The creative fields do not necessarily match patterns and logic. While creative constructs often have a message behind them, they do not really need to do anything more than entertain and inspire. This is something AI can't do organically, as it can't be inspired. It can mimic elements of the inspirational work of others, but it doesn't have a purpose behind why it is doing it, other than because a human told it to. It doesn't crave an outlet and it doesn't have passion. This sets it apart from those who are in creative fields, such as writers.

AI systems can mimic some elements, but humans can pick up on the lack of creativity in the overall structure and tone. AI is formulaic and it doesn't see any problem with that- we do. So much in fact, that writers push the boundaries on what is 'the right way' all the time. It is a well known fact that Shakespeare created over a thousand words we still use today, and popularised many phrases and sayings. Obscene, dwindle, addiction: all great words. He threw out the rule book. While AI has been known to make up some words, they are based only in logic, and are not created because they feel right, or create the right plosive or sibilant sounds for that moment. They are just based on another human pattern, using known prefixes and suffixes. They don't move a story along or give anything to the reader.

So, should we turn away from AI completely? No.

Hear me out. AI is a useful tool when people consider it as just that- a tool. Like reading the work of others, or using our own life experience to influence stories, we can use AI to inspire our own creativity. Writers use AI powered systems, such as Grammerly and ProWritingAid, all the time. No one really freaks out about that, so why worry about something more robust? Try utilising it for a first draft of a book summary, or use it to help you finally hammer out that chapter you just can't begin. It can help us to hone our craft, rather than dominate it. We can't be afraid to accept changes as they come along. They are coming, thick and fast, and we need to be ready to embrace them.

Like it or not, AI is here to stay.