Blog Post: The Emergence of AI in Writing: A Challenge or an Opportunity?
One significant morning in November 2022, writers logged into their social media accounts and were met with a surprising revelation – their employment prospects were under threat. According to certain expert forecasts, within a mere six months or even less, writers might find themselves without work. What’s the reason? A new advanced tool named ChatGPT from OpenAI had just been launched. Moreover, it could perform all tasks that writers were capable of. What distinguishes it is its incredible ability to produce 1,000-word articles in under a minute, whereas the typical writer typically invests approximately six arduous hours to create the same content. It began to seem like businesses would no longer require content writers or copywriters. All their writing needs could be resolved by simply entering the correct prompts into ChatGPT.
The Landscape of AI Writing Tools
Before ChatGPT, other generative AI tools like Jasper, Copy.ai, and Jenni.ai existed. However, the AI landscape was revolutionized by ChatGPT’s launch. For the subsequent two months after its release, practically every tweet or LinkedIn post had something to say about it. Since then, we have witnessed a rapid evolution of ChatGPT and other AI tools. Search engines have begun integrating them into their platforms, such as Bing Chat and Google Bard. We have also observed the ascent of AI-generated images and AI-composed music. There seems to be no halt to the advancement of generative AI.
All that Glitters is Not Gold
Following the initial weeks of sheer terror for writers, several observations were made about the results generated by generative AI. The first issue is plagiarism. I composed a test article using one of these tools and subsequently ran it through a plagiarism checker. The results were astounding. The article exhibited 18% plagiarism, underscoring the prominence of plagiarism in AI-generated content.
Another concern is the accuracy of responses. ChatGPT is known to occasionally present answers that may be inaccurate. Relying on it exposes you to the risk of being challenged for disseminating erroneous information. Additionally, it maintains a recurring pattern and generates rudimentary content. Nearly every outcome follows the same structure and approach. For those acquainted with AI-generated articles, this is the simplest method to identify them. They frequently lack credible references, statistics, and quotations that lend human writing its distinct character.
Furthermore, AI-generated content lacks emotional depth. Humans are inherently emotional beings. Our experiences and emotions are vital tools we employ in writing. This has proven challenging for AI to replicate, as machines lack feelings and cannot recreate the human experience. Thus far, using AI for copywriting has yielded unsatisfactory outcomes.
The New Approach
The glaring shortcomings of generative AI have presented writers with a new challenge. Beyond the concern of AI taking over their jobs, writers are now even more apprehensive about hearing, “This reads like AI.”
Nonetheless, content writers and copywriters are dedicating more time to thorough research and data accumulation for their writing. They are also focusing on ensuring comprehensive coverage of topics. At the forefront of their minds, they contemplate and address questions such as, are the statistics accessible and accurate? What emotional response should the reader experience while engaging with this content? How can I evoke those emotions?
I particularly appreciate the renewed commitment to excellence that this has instilled in writers. I have witnessed writers going the extra mile to obtain accurate statistics and quotations. I have seen writers working diligently to incorporate a variety of expert perspectives into their work. Furthermore, writers are investing more time and resources in honing their skills to deliver the highest quality work.
Crucially, writers have altered the narrative. Instead of succumbing to the idea of AI taking their jobs, they have begun leveraging AI to optimize their workflows. According to a 2023 survey of copywriters and content marketers conducted by Ashley R. Cummings, the results indicate that around 67% of writers have integrated AI into their daily routines. Of these, 47% employ AI as a brainstorming tool, while 33% utilize it for research and outlining purposes.
The Role of AI Tools
Over the past few years, AI tools have contributed to enhancing the quality of our work. From Grammarly for editing, to Quillbot for paraphrasing, to the Hemingway app for maintaining clear and concise writing, ChatGPT and other generative AI have made a significant impact. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these tools remain just that – tools – and cannot replace the creativity and human experience.
We remain uncertain about the extent of innovation and progress that the field of generative AI will witness in the coming years. At present, we have only scratched the surface of the vast landscape of AI. I appreciate that the growth of the AI field has directly translated into the growth and development of human writers, contrary to some initial expert opinions.
Given its current capabilities, generative AI will not replace writers. Instead, it aids writers in delivering the highest quality work possible. For now, writers continue to lead in the ongoing competition between writers and AI.
