Chicago – When I first heard about the potential of AI, I thought my days as a professional writer might be numbered.
It allowed me to write stories that concisely reflected the tone, voice, and style characteristically similar to my favorite authors. It can revise paragraphs, generate topics to write about, and compile source faster than a human. ChatGPT 3.5 couldn't analyze images, analyze audio, or actively retrieve information from the Internet, but it sounded like writing was the only drawback. Even in its infancy, this technology potentially contained more writing expertise than I had painstakingly acquired over his decade.
I'm sure I'll lose my job someday.
Think of it this way. Why pay error-prone and inefficient humans to do something that AI can do more accurately, in less time, and for less money? Rising costs, inflation, evolving needs, and competition. As the number of companies that pay writers increases, this question must remain in the minds of those who run companies that pay writers. Honestly, how could you not do that?
Fortunately, many people now see AI as a tool rather than a replacement. It means you can write on another day, but it also means you have to keep up with the times. As technology and the workforce continue to change, I need to evolve my skills to keep up.
That's why I've been experimenting with how technology can help the writing process.
One of my favorite things about ChatGPT so far is that you can literally host virtual writers' workshops. When working on the introductory paragraph for a lead or article, I often ask the technology if the content is engaging and why. Next, I'll give you some reasons why your content is powerful, suggest areas for improvement, and even provide concrete examples to outline your points.
As a disclaimer, I don't necessarily agree with that. You may be asked to use a word like “metamorphosis'' instead of “transformation'' to make your writing more appealing, even if it doesn't fit the mood of your piece. Sometimes the revised paragraphs that are produced don't sound like what I want to write or lack the emotional depth I'm aiming for.
Also, ChatGPT's critiques and suggestions are spot on, especially when it comes to narrative structure and sentence variation. Another pleasant surprise is when a work reflects strengths that I hadn't thought of.
Based on my experience, I can honestly say that it can be a useful tool depending on how you use it. However, I advise others to keep their audience, desired goals, and personal writing preferences in mind when using ChatGPT. You don't have to change your style just because technology says so. Balance that critique with what's important to you as a writer.
Noah Johnson (he/him/him) is a Chicago-based journalist. Follow him on X: @noahwritestoo.
Edited by Natishka Pickett
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