“Good morning, Dave.”
That should answer every question you might have about AI. Artificial Intelligence was pure SciFi when I started my writing career (heck, we didn’t even have electric typewriters or erasable bond paper!). What could possibly go wrong by making our writing life easier? Apparently, a lot. Making things simpler for mankind, as proven by Asimov and Heinlein, usually doesn’t end as expected. But we never learn, do we, as we search for that easy way to get by on the least amount of personal effort.
October 4th question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?
Bull! Fiction writing (and the arts) is just about the last bastion of personal expression. Why should any of us surrender the uniqueness of that creative endeavor? I adore all the shortcuts as much as the next author – the computer reading back your work so you can check for errors (mostly made by the computer stumbling over non-generic phrases in that lovely British accent), auto-correct, and formatting. But the individuality of self-expression through storytelling is what our genre is all about – that taking the same general idea and producing thousands of individual interpretations by applying vastly different personal opinions, levels of education, and experiences. AI, no matter how sophisticated, is still a programmed response, not unique expression. The joy I get from reading is in the flavor of personal choice – whether in plotting, dialogue, or character development. The quirks that come with being human, the illogical choices that stem from passion or instability. All the juicy, purely mortal faults and eccentricities that compose the characters and situations that take our imaginations on such enjoyable journeys. You can argue that musical scales only have so many notes and the keyboard so many letters and it’s the arrangement that makes them unique. I’ll add it’s the human passion and emotions, and experiences that take those things to the next level.
What are your thoughts? Can’t wait to find out.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the October 4th posting of the IWSG will be Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Anonymously Esther East of the Sun. IT husband , agrees he's a geek, says he teaches computers what they need to learn. Intelligence is a very useful tool, can't feel or think, doesn't understand human emotions and fears, that passion creating , say, Beethoven's symphonies - all our faults and eccentricities.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of British accent ? Some are far from lovely .
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. Esther O'Neill
A lovely well educated and prim accent, not stone crunching Cockney.
DeleteI think you summed it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI agree with what you said in terms of creative writing.
ReplyDeleteI think creativity is a purely living breathing quality.
DeleteI think you nailed it. AI is everywhere, and can be helpful. But generative AI will never replace thinking, feeling human beings.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteUsing books to teach a computer how to write isn't a whole lot different than me as a teacher, sharing books with students teaching them how to write. A computer will have a voice just as we writers all have a distinctive voice. Authors needing to be paid to educate a machine begs the question: Should teachers have to pay authors for our using their books as a teaching tool?
ReplyDeleteWe writers have been using tools since the beginning of time. AI is just another tool and it won't erase our creativity. Loved your article and your stance.
Too many scifi movies to make me feel comfortable. When I'm reading fiction, I want to know there's a human behind the story and plot. At this point, I don't think AI has progressed to the point where it can fool an avid reader.
DeleteAI, as it is, won't replace a creative human. It doesn't speak English well enough.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Nor does is understand humor or innuendo.
DeletePerfectly said. You got me with "Good morning, Dave." Better yet, "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave."
ReplyDeleteLOL! Should have gone to you for the quote!
DeleteAI can be trained to use language, but I don't believe it can be trained to think and feel like a human with all the messy, irrational, quirky things humans do. So therefore AI will never be able to write stories that fully satisfies a reader who needs to connect and feel with the characters.
ReplyDeleteThis is where I come down. If all you're looking for is an entertaining plot, then yeah, AI may be able to crank out something enjoyable. But it's the characters that turn a story into an emotional experience.
DeleteI don't think AI will ever fully replace writers, just like photography hasn't fully replaced the need for artists. But I do think it will continue to help us create more, better, faster. Not sure if that is necessarily a good thing.
ReplyDelete