This spring I attended a panel at the Des Moines Book Festival. For a while, the conversation got derailed to discussing AI. I could feel my tension rise. A woman in the audience said, "I believe this is the last generation of writers. AI will replace them."
I couldn't take it any longer. I responded from the audience, "This session is about memoir. I haven't figured out yet what I think about my own story or what is significant to share, so how could AI think for me and know what's in my head?"
The audience and panel laughed, and the conversation went back to discussing the strong, personal memoirs of the panelists.
Thank you for putting into words how most writers and authors feel about AI. Each writer has unique ideas and stories that cannot be replicated. AI could never replace you as an author, Nicole. Your novels are engaging and unique to YOU!
I think I was at that panel, too. And I think there’s a lot of room for very thoughtful, nuanced conversations about how to use AI as a tool, but right now it feels a bit like the Wild West—we’re making up the rules as we go. I just personally feel like outsourcing my creativity in any way changes the entire process of writing. I wonder if someday there will be a distinction between work that was created with AI and stuff that’s “all natural.” A sort of “organic” writing…
I’ve been butting heads with AI in my day job as a content marketer pretty much daily. It’s not replacing me just yet, but there’s increasing pressure to embrace the tech and basically become a glorified machine operator. It’s such a slap in the face, and makes me want to cling to real art and writing that much tighter.
If AI guy is hiding behind so many gold rings, sounds like he doesn't have a soul to shine for him. Glad the piano player helped cleanse the experience.
Btw met a young couple who knew you & your husband from Dordt. Unfortunately, at a funeral...😓
People do end up in my novels from time to time… I think Taylor Swift said something like: “If guys didn’t want me to write songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things!” That tracks. 😉
I like to write, but certainly not to the extent of what you have accomplished with your novels. I like to know that the writing that I’ve done is my own. It wasn’t created by any machine or person… Just me. I would hope that if I was a middle schooler, high schooler, or one in college I would personally insist on doing my own work, and not letting a machine create it for me. That probably makes me old-school, living in the AI age we are living in right now. However, I know it’s mine and mine only because it came from my brain.
I haven’t heard too many positive things about AI. Much like when cell phones first came out, they have their place, and are nice to have for many possible situations. Many people own one and there are certainly positives and negatives. But AI seems to go much beyond that. The capability to create some thing that is not yours is downright frightening. I know it has its place, but just like any form of technology, people will find ways to exploit it by using it in a negative fashion!
I think you’re right—it DOES have a place, but can absolutely be exploited. And I know this is article is just one small fragment of a much larger discussion. Thanks for chiming in!
Thank you for this. I am bookmarking it so I can keep it handy.
I am currently employed as a composition teacher and I HATE generative AI with a passion. It is the "easy way out" for students. Sadly, with all the $%^& it's been fed, it's getting smarter and harder to suss out. It is honestly one of the reasons I'm considering leaving the classroom.
When asked why I hate it, I came up with this simile: Gen-AI is like cotton candy: all form and very little substance.
I’m rooting for the humans. Writers put words together, musicians put notes together, and you/ they create beauty. I am awed by your gifts and I am grateful for them. Thank you for pouring your soul into them.
A delicious piece of writing that is somehow both entertaining and disturbing.
Right?!? The disturbing part, I mean. The interaction creeped me out…
Reads like a movie scene.
What an ass. Your community will always buy your books.
You made me laugh! 😂 I sure hope so…
My good deed for the day. :) :) :)
This spring I attended a panel at the Des Moines Book Festival. For a while, the conversation got derailed to discussing AI. I could feel my tension rise. A woman in the audience said, "I believe this is the last generation of writers. AI will replace them."
I couldn't take it any longer. I responded from the audience, "This session is about memoir. I haven't figured out yet what I think about my own story or what is significant to share, so how could AI think for me and know what's in my head?"
The audience and panel laughed, and the conversation went back to discussing the strong, personal memoirs of the panelists.
Thank you for putting into words how most writers and authors feel about AI. Each writer has unique ideas and stories that cannot be replicated. AI could never replace you as an author, Nicole. Your novels are engaging and unique to YOU!
I think I was at that panel, too. And I think there’s a lot of room for very thoughtful, nuanced conversations about how to use AI as a tool, but right now it feels a bit like the Wild West—we’re making up the rules as we go. I just personally feel like outsourcing my creativity in any way changes the entire process of writing. I wonder if someday there will be a distinction between work that was created with AI and stuff that’s “all natural.” A sort of “organic” writing…
I’ve been butting heads with AI in my day job as a content marketer pretty much daily. It’s not replacing me just yet, but there’s increasing pressure to embrace the tech and basically become a glorified machine operator. It’s such a slap in the face, and makes me want to cling to real art and writing that much tighter.
“Glorified machine operator…” That’s so sad. I’ll take the humanity—mistakes and irregularities and inefficiencies and all.
If AI guy is hiding behind so many gold rings, sounds like he doesn't have a soul to shine for him. Glad the piano player helped cleanse the experience.
Btw met a young couple who knew you & your husband from Dordt. Unfortunately, at a funeral...😓
I’m so sorry you were recently at a funeral. Perhaps it’s the greatest reminder of our humanity and fragility.
He was a man of deep faith, so it was more a true celebration of life. Wonderful man & nice not to worry about his destiny!
How discouraging to meet a rude SOB in the elevator when you were so happy with the conference! I recoil at AI too.
People certainly keep life interesting! I wish I knew more about his story.
Amen and Amen! AI NEEDS HUMANS to be able to reproduce what only God can create: goodness, beauty, AND TRUTH!
I think you should use "Mr Creepy" in your next novel, send him the chapter he's featured in, and thank him for the inspiration. 😁
People do end up in my novels from time to time… I think Taylor Swift said something like: “If guys didn’t want me to write songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things!” That tracks. 😉
I like to write, but certainly not to the extent of what you have accomplished with your novels. I like to know that the writing that I’ve done is my own. It wasn’t created by any machine or person… Just me. I would hope that if I was a middle schooler, high schooler, or one in college I would personally insist on doing my own work, and not letting a machine create it for me. That probably makes me old-school, living in the AI age we are living in right now. However, I know it’s mine and mine only because it came from my brain.
I haven’t heard too many positive things about AI. Much like when cell phones first came out, they have their place, and are nice to have for many possible situations. Many people own one and there are certainly positives and negatives. But AI seems to go much beyond that. The capability to create some thing that is not yours is downright frightening. I know it has its place, but just like any form of technology, people will find ways to exploit it by using it in a negative fashion!
I think you’re right—it DOES have a place, but can absolutely be exploited. And I know this is article is just one small fragment of a much larger discussion. Thanks for chiming in!
I agree. Nothing can compete with the best humanity has to offer. Thank you very much.
We need to keep reminding ourselves of this truth...
Perfect words, Nicole, from the beginning to the end. Thank you.
AI will never have a soul. That says it all doesn’t it?
Amen!
Thank you for this. I am bookmarking it so I can keep it handy.
I am currently employed as a composition teacher and I HATE generative AI with a passion. It is the "easy way out" for students. Sadly, with all the $%^& it's been fed, it's getting smarter and harder to suss out. It is honestly one of the reasons I'm considering leaving the classroom.
When asked why I hate it, I came up with this simile: Gen-AI is like cotton candy: all form and very little substance.
A student recently admitted to me that she knows many people who have never written a complete paper. That’s so so sad…
Oh, my..my heart.
❤️
Such a great piece, Nicole!
Thanks, Kali!
This is exactly what I needed to read. So well said, friend. Thanks for what you do!
Thank YOU! We all have our part to play. ❤️
I’m rooting for the humans. Writers put words together, musicians put notes together, and you/ they create beauty. I am awed by your gifts and I am grateful for them. Thank you for pouring your soul into them.
YOU create beauty, too, Susan! ❤️
AI will NEVER replace anything done by someone with a soul. Thank God for that. Nice piece.
Thanks, Dean!