The Monster Under the Bed
Access to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity has been a game-changer for someone like me, who often has to generate quality written work as part of their job and do it quickly. As someone that does a lot of writing to deadlines, I often find myself “rushing to standstill”. This “attitude of urgency” can and sometimes will stifle my creativity, leaving me staring at a blank screen late at night, laptop on my lap, grappling with writer's block.
Using AI writing tools has transformed the way that I approach my writing assignments. When I construct an AI prompt, I'm not looking for a finished product. I'm looking for inspiration and a solid starting point. So I go into a lot of detail in my prompt and make sure that I am clear in what I expect in the final AI generated piece. I include in my prompt any research that I require and encourage the AI engine to find any additional research that I may have missed. The AI engines then provide me with written pieces. I read through these pieces to see how closely they align with my thoughts and ideas. If they put forward the ideas and proposals that I intended in my written piece, I add my unique touches and edit it to reflect my personal writing style. This process allows me to maintain my voice while benefiting from the efficiencies that AI offers.
Writer's block is a writer’s nightmare, but AI tools help me break the deadlock. They offer references to research, ideas and suggestions that stimulate my creativity and encourage me to “think out the box”. For example, when I feel I’m stuck, I might use prompt an AI tool to go in a different direction to give me a different perspective from which I can garner a fresh content idea. This not only saves time but also opens up new avenues of creativity that I may not have considered.
Once I have a draft from an AI tool, the real work begins—giving it my voice. I carefully edit the text to make sure it reflects my personality and style. This step is critical in my creative process, because while AI can generate really good content, it lacks the in depth understanding of human emotion and experience that makes my writing truly resonate with the reader. Only after I've read my final draft and can clearly “hear my voice” in the piece, do I feel comfortable publishing it with a note acknowledging the assistance of AI: "by Mark Deavall assisted by AI."
I feel no shame in using AI as a writing aid. I see it as a valuable resource similar to partnering with an editor or a co-author. Just as social media can be both beneficial and detrimental, the impact of AI depends on how you use it. It’s essential to use these tools responsibly, leveraging their strengths while making sure that your authentic voice can be clearly heard in your work.
In conclusion, AI writing tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity have become indispensable tools in my creative process. They enhance my ability to produce quality content a lot quicker than if I had to sit around with an idea of what to write but struggling to figure out how to write it in the most convincing manner. By carefully crafting prompts and editing the generated text, I can maintain the “sound” of my unique voice. As we navigate this evolving landscape of technology and creativity, let's not see AI as a replacement for human creativity, but rather as an enhancement—a powerful partner in our writing journey.
By Mark Deavall assisted by Perplexity AI. Total time to produce this piece with the assistance of AI = 3 hours. Total time to produce an equivalent piece without AI = 5 to 6 hours. This article started its life as 100% AI. But now its around 20% AI and 80% me!
by Mark Deavall
5 November, 2024
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