Two questions I am frequently asked as a writer and communications professional are: 1) Do I use Gen AI in my work? 2) Am I worried that Gen AI will eventually take over my job?

To answer the first question, yes. Sometimes the words just don’t flow as they’re supposed to or they don’t come at all. Using ChatGPT or any other Gen AI tool can be really helpful in generating ideas for content, suggesting an outline for an article or even an article intro.

But the results generated are a starting point rather than the finished product, because it’s not always that you get the desired output. Gen AI is known to make mistakes and ‘hallucinations’ so it’s vital to review, fact check and edit accordingly.

Furthermore as a writer I want my content to achieve its purpose – to connect and engage with its intended audience. Even when the AI output is exactly what I’m looking for, it still lacks that human, emotive element that will engage the reader.

AI can help with the ideas, spelling and correct grammar, but it can’t provide connection or personality

Writing, whether for business or creative purposes, should be compelling and above all relatable. After you are trying to build connection and relationship with your chosen audience. AI can help with the ideas, spelling and correct grammar, but it can’t provide connection or personality which is an important feature of having a ‘brand voice’.

How many times have you read a customer service response and thought “a chatbot definitely wrote that!”. And how did you feel about it? Indifferent? Annoyed? Heard? Understood? Or to use a more recent example, the backlash against Spotify for the heavy use of Gen AI in creating this year’s Spotify Wrapped content, with users mostly blaming Spotify’s staff layoffs for the lackluster offering.

When people engage positively with content, it’s because something has connected with them on a personal level

Personally I like the writing process. I like playing around with words and seeing what works best for a well-crafted sentence. It can take time and can be frustrating but the end result is satisfaction with the content I’ve laboured on especially when it performs well.

I believe when people engage positively with content, it’s because something has connected with them on a personal level and that’s what I strive to do with my writing in every capacity.

To answer the second question. I don’t think Gen AI is a replacement for actual writing or writers and it shouldn’t be seen as such. Gen AI tools may be a great addition to the editorial process especially in the interests of efficiency and productivity. But without that added personal human touch, it’s just data put together in coherent sentences.

Has AI enhanced your writing process? If so, how? Let me know in the comments.