Writing has always been a cherished outlet for sharing my thoughts and experiences. However, the demands of life have been hindering my ability to devote time to it. I meant to write a blog about my songwriting project for over a year, but the hours slipped away, and the task remained unfinished. Just when I thought I might never find the time, the buzz about Generative AI (or GenAI) caught my attention. Exploring ChatGPT (available for free via OpenAI‘s website), I immediately saw how it could improve my writing speed and completely change how I create content.
In the field of content generation, ChatGPT emerged as a game-changer – a virtual partner that could assist in producing a blog post swiftly. My approach was straightforward. Starting my prompts with the words “Write a blog post about…”, I provided ChatGPT with an overview of the themes I wanted to explore and then simply pressed “Enter”. The content I asked for was generated within seconds.
However, no tool is without its limitations, and ChatGPT was no exception. One of the most noticeable aspects was the distinct tone in which it wrote. The text was often infused with a very strong sense of self-belief and enthusiasm, which often seemed excessive to me. This could potentially stem from the model’s exposure to blogs primarily originating from the United States, where qualities like self-assuredness and optimism are celebrated. In other parts of the world, however, these same traits might be viewed or expressed differently. To navigate this, I engaged with ChatGPT, employing specific prompts to rephrase sections, adjust tones, or employ simpler language.
Another facet that I encountered was the model’s occasional reliance on clichés. Phrases like “embarking on a journey” seemed omnipresent, perhaps a learned response due to the personal nature of blogs. Dealing with this was straightforward – I communicated my desire for certain words and phrases to be avoided.
Interestingly, ChatGPT displayed moments of unanticipated creativity, writing content I hadn’t directly requested but occasionally found valuable. In parallel, there were instances where it created content that didn’t align with my vision. Hence, while the tool expedited the writing process, a degree of revision and review was necessary to craft a polished and coherent piece.
In essence, ChatGPT emerged as a time-saving boon, reshaping my writing process, but it doesn’t completely replace the art of crafting content. I once relished the act of composing blog posts from scratch, reveling in the intricate interplay of words, but time constraints drove me to leverage GenAI. It’s a good compromise. However, there’s one domain I continue to reserve for myself: songwriting.
Songwriting, to me, is more than just putting words together; it’s an immersive creative experience. The complexity, the challenge, and the euphoria that accompanies completing a song are irreplaceable. Comparing it to crosswords, it’s akin to the satisfaction derived from solving one by yourself versus solving hundreds using AI — what would be the point of that?
In the grand scheme of things, GenAI stands to revolutionise content creation for countless individuals, catering to those with brilliant ideas but limited time or writing skills. It’s a revolutionary democratisation of expression. However, even in this transformative landscape, there’s room for those who savour the process, for whom writing is an immersive endeavour, a canvas for artistic self-expression.
In conclusion, GenAI has expanded the scope of productivity in how I create content. As I delve into its capabilities, I’m reminded that even though it makes the process more efficient, the heart of authentic writing lives in the subtle details and complexities we add to our work. It’s a tool that supplements rather than replaces. Looking ahead, I’m enthusiastic about the dynamic evolution of content creation, a space where technology and creativity merge to present stories that connect with people around the world.
Update: Since publishing this blog post I have discovered Claude by Anthropic and, after experimenting with it, found that I prefer its style.
Christelle Maegan 