By Larry Billinger
In the evolving landscape of digital content creation, my journey with Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been both a testament to technological advancement and a reaffirmation of the irreplaceable value of human touch. I’ve navigated the intricacies of incorporating AI into my writing process with a clear aim: to understand better how AI works and not only to have it help me but also to help others around me.
The Quest for Soulful Writing
My initial foray into AI-assisted writing was driven by curiosity and the promise of efficiency. I would ask AI to write an article about a certain subject, and boom. There it was. A full and complete article. The novelty of generating complete articles with AI was intriguing, but it wasn’t long before I sensed something missing—a soul. You can go back to my earlier articles and see what I mean. Despite the apparent sophistication, the content felt hollow, a mere shadow of the vibrancy and depth I aspired to ingrain in my writings.
Determined to bridge this gap, I experimented with various approaches, from editing the articles that were AI-generated to merging outputs from different AI tools, such as merging Google Bard with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Yet, the quest for that elusive soulfulness persisted, leading me to a pivotal realization: algorithms alone could not replicate the essence of my voice.
A Conversational Approach
Adopting a more interactive strategy, I began using AI to generate interview questions on topics of interest, treating the process as a dynamic conversation rather than a one-sided content generation. This method allowed me to infuse my personal insights, humor, and values into the content, bringing it closer to the authentic voice I wanted my readers to resonate with. The transformation was evident. The articles now bore the hallmarks of my personality and beliefs as before and started to gain a soul.
This approach that uses the interview method also intertwines ChatGPT customizations. Yes, you can customize AI to you as a person. I have given it some basic knowledge of who I am and my preferences for how I like things written. I also tell it that if I say the word “article” in a chat, I want it to create an article for my blog, written at an 8th-grade reading level, that is humorous and has the necessary metadata for my blog to be searched online, and has a Facebook and Twitter post created and it creates a photo that will describe the overall theme of the article.
Editorial Integrity and Future Aspirations
Despite the advancements in AI, the editorial process remains quintessentially human. Each piece undergoes meticulous review to ensure it aligns with my standards and values, a practice underscored by an incident involving an inappropriate AI-generated image in which it generated an image of a naked illustrated woman on a calendar in the background. Such moments remind me of the importance of vigilance and the irreplaceable role of human oversight.
Looking ahead, I envision a future where AI can more closely mirror an author’s style, serving as a catalyst for creativity and a means to overcome the barriers of procrastination. I hope that it allows people to start on those projects that they’ve always wanted to complete. The books they’ve always wanted to write. The grants they have always wanted to apply for. Those classroom assignments they have always wanted to customize just for their class. Yet, the essence of our individuality—the “head on our shoulders”—remains our most invaluable asset.
Conclusion
As we stand on the brink of a new era in content creation, the symbiosis between AI and human creativity offers boundless possibilities. My journey with AI has taught me that technology when wielded with intention and care, can amplify our creative voices without silencing the soul that breathes life into our work. As I continue to explore this partnership, I remain committed to ensuring that each word I share not only informs and entertains but also resonates with the truth and authenticity that define me.
