How AI Is Changing Writing—for Better or Worse
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to play a big role in how we write, from news articles to novels. Whether you’re a journalist, a fiction writer, or just someone who writes for fun or work, AI tools are now part of the process for many people. But is this a good thing?
In many ways, AI is making writing faster and easier. Programs like ChatGPT (created by OpenAI), Grammarly, and others can help people come up with ideas, fix grammar, and even write full paragraphs or stories. In journalism, some news outlets—like the Associated Press—have been using AI to write simple reports, like sports scores or business updates, for years.
For creative writers, AI can act like a brainstorming partner. It can help generate dialogue, plot ideas, or even write in the style of famous authors. This has opened up new ways for people to be creative, especially for those who might struggle with writing or are looking for inspiration.
“If machines start writing everything, will stories lose their heart?”
But there are also real concerns. Some people worry that using AI too much could take away from the personal and original voice that makes good writing special. If machines start writing everything, will stories lose their heart? In journalism, there’s also the risk that AI could make mistakes or spread wrong information—and it’s not always clear who would be responsible if that happens.
Another important issue is how AI changes who gets to write. On one hand, it helps more people express themselves, even if they’re not confident writers. On the other hand, it can blur the line between what’s written by a human and what’s made by a machine. This could make it harder to tell what information is trustworthy or truly original.
In the end, AI is definitely changing how writing is done. Whether that change is good or bad depends on how we use these tools. If we use AI to help and not replace human writers, it can be a powerful way to improve writing. But we also need to think carefully about how it affects creativity, truth, and the personal side of storytelling.
Sources:
- Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism – “The Future of Journalism in the Age of AI”
- OpenAI (makers of ChatGPT)
- Sudowrite (an AI tool for creative writers)
Human section below
The article above was written by ChatGPT. It took about 5-6 seconds to generate. This is actually the SECOND version of the article. The first was more scholarly, this one was written for readers with a high school diploma or some college.
It is very impressive, however, it doesn’t infuse any type of outlier vernacular or snarky, nuanced writer’s wit. Maybe it would if I prompted it to do so. When it comes to hard facts, general understandings, and reliable efficiency, AI is an indispensable tool! I use it for captions, blurbs, and idea generation.
So what do you think? AI bad? AI good? Just a tool, or something that will force humans to gradually abandon writing as a form of art and communication?
