Everywhere I look these days, I see Chat GPT – an AI writing tool that can make articles (like this) in just a few seconds. If you haven’t heard about it yet, I honestly suggest you do. You can simply type in a prompt, instruction, or question, such as “Is AI here to replace humans?” and it will generate an impressively logical response: “No, AI is not here to replace humans…
“AI is a tool created by humans to assist and augment human capabilities, not to replace them. AI can automate certain tasks and improve efficiency, but it lacks human qualities such as empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. Ultimately, the goal of AI is to work with humans to create a better future for everyone.”
That sounds like a script fit for a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? Chat GPT took about three seconds to generate that, and my wifi signal isn’t even the fastest. It’s free of human errors like typos and grammar mishaps, and you can request the software to expand that one paragraph into a whole article. In fact, this software is so capable, it has already been listed as a co-author on research papers.
Honestly, this issue is nothing new. We’ve been worrying about how AI might replace humans since the early days of computer technology – if we can have machines doing calculations for us, why study math? If a computer can process complex equations so fast, what work will be left for accountants?
If ChatGPT can write your reports for you, why make an effort to write them yourself? Work smarter, not harder, am I right?
Well…
I guess we have to go back to why we write in the first place.
If you’re only writing for work – generating repetitive answers day in and day out, then Chat GPT can be a valuable tool to help you give more diverse and interesting ideas to spark a slow writing day.
However, we’re not just writing for work, are we? We’re writing because it is the single best thing we can do to help us to think better. Writing is how we communicate – to other people, and also to ourselves. Writing is a means of self-expression and a way to develop and refine one’s voice and perspective. Through writing, we can connect to other people and to our inner selves.
The act of putting words from inside your brain to a blank piece of paper is very similar to how meditation or sleep is cleansing your brain of clutter. Writing gives form to the little ideas floating in your head and turns them into something tangible – the beginning of a plan, the structure of a goal, the bare bones upon which your unique identity can shine.
The real danger of AI (and tech, in general) isn’t in replacing humans, it is in turning humans into lazy, non-thinking machines. And the way to fight back isn’t by removing technology altogether, but by using our brains, to keep the cogs turning – use AI to write, and write better.
Chat GPT isn’t here to replace writers, just like Canva (another fantastic software) didn’t replace designers. I can imagine it being extremely useful for writers who may not have the perfect syntax – either because English isn’t their first language, or they simply are not sensitive to the nuances and rhythm of the language.
Sure, there is the problem of students using AI to cheat their way out of university, but if so many students are too lazy, or even unwilling, to think, that’s a bigger education system issue.
Tech opens opportunities for aspiring creatives and non-creatives (like a lot of people in finance, for some weird reason, believe they are) to get writing support and fine-tune their skills so they can stay competitive in this ever-changing world. And frankly, I think that’s a very exciting thing.
PS. I haven’t played around with it very much, but it does seem like a wonderful tool. What do you think? Have you tried Chat GPT? Are you dreading the possible side effects? Or are you looking forward to how it will revolutionise writing?
