AI: A Writer's Sidekick or Nemesis?

Have you heard of ChatGPT? My friend told me it's like a genie that answers all your questions. I didn't really get it at first, but then another writer said it's their new BFF, so I had to check it out. It turns out it's the latest buzz in AI technology. I asked ChatGPT, “how would you explain ChatGPT to someone who has no idea what it is or how it can be helpful.” This is what it replied:

“Imagine having a really clever computer program that can talk and have conversations with you, just like a person. That's what ChatGPT is! It's a special kind of program that has been trained to understand language and have meaningful discussions.

ChatGPT can be helpful in many ways. For example, if you have a question about something you're curious about, like "How do birds fly?", you can ask ChatGPT, and it will try to give you a good answer based on what it knows. It can also help with homework by explaining concepts or giving you ideas. If you're writing a story or an essay, ChatGPT can provide suggestions and help you find the right words. It's like having a very smart friend who is always there to help you.

You can talk to ChatGPT by typing your questions or prompts on a computer or device, and it will respond with text just like you're having a chat with a person. It's really amazing how it can understand and respond to what you say!

But remember, while ChatGPT is very clever, it's still just a computer program. It doesn't have feelings or thoughts like humans do. It has been trained on a lot of information, but sometimes it may not have the exact answer or it may make mistakes. So, it's always a good idea to use your own judgment and double-check information you get from ChatGPT with other sources.

Overall, ChatGPT is a cool tool that can provide information, help with writing, and engage in conversations. It's like having a virtual friend who can assist you with all sorts of things!”

The Rise of AI in Writing:

When I started reading about ChatGPT and AI, I found out that some have been using it as a side hustle to write content. Some people are churning out entire books with AI's help. Now, that made me feel a bit threatened. As a writer, I think AI can be pretty handy. It helps me sort my thoughts and bounce ideas around. It's like having a virtual writing buddy. But relying on AI to finish a whole project for me? I could not even imagine. The magic of writing lies in our human touch, our creativity, and the way we put our voice into the words we write.

The Good, the Bad, and the Fact-Checked:

Thankfully, there are safeguards in place to keep AI-generated content in check. They've got these AI scanners to detect the AI stuff. What worries me about that, though, is they are far from accurate. I have tested an AI-written piece that was at 100% probable human-written and a human piece at 67 % AI-generated. I don’t want my human written work to be thought of as artificial. We want credit where it's due and human brilliance to shine.

The Classroom Conundrum:

It is no surprise that teachers are dealing with students who submit AI-written papers. Some kids always think they can outsmart the system. AI is not even close to being 100% when it comes to fact-checking. I believe in the power of originality, critical thinking, and embracing the challenges of writing. I’m not saying that students shouldn't use AI at all. It’s a great tool, just like a calculator helps with math. But if a student tries to copy and paste AI works without fact-checking, they will get caught. Recently, ChatGPT has been slipping in the phrase “As an AI, ….” into the text as a deterrent to this.

AI isn't flawless. I interact with ChatGPT on the regular, and it makes mistakes. It doesn't know everything. (I have taught it so much about BTS it’s ridiculous.). So, if you're planning to rely on AI for your work, do yourself a favor and fact-check. Don't forget about spelling and grammar. While AI usually does okay in those departments, tools like Grammarly can help polish things up, especially if you're working on an English class project.

In Conclusion, Humans Still Rock:

AI, like ChatGPT, can be a nifty little tool for organizing our thoughts and getting those creative juices flowing. I myself use it for research and feedback on a daily basis. But let's not forget that the heart and soul of writing come from us humans. Our unique perspectives, emotions, and quirks can't be replicated by any AI. Remember that our creativity and dedication still have a special place in the writing world.

Note: This topic really deserves a lot more discussion, and I have plenty of thoughts. Especially when it comes to AI music, but I have a lack of time. My book is due at the end of June, so I probably won’t be posting much until then!

Happy Summer!