IA Killed The Writer
This subject has bothered me for a while. When I started my blog here on Substack I subscribed to many writers, and each of them has a unique writing style.
When the writing style suddenly dramatically changes, it makes me sit up and notice. This indicates to me that the writer used AI in previous pieces, or is doing so now.
Many of us can see the change, but we don’t want to call the writer out on it. So, we quietly stop commenting because we feel confused.
After a while, we stop reading. We still feel somewhat loyal, but now we know something that changes our perception of the writer.
We still don’t mention that we feel tricked, tricked into loving his work, which now loudly screams AI.
The new work, now clearly written by the author, falls short. We quietly unfollow, then unsubscribe.
In other instances, the work suddenly becomes brilliant. From previously, and obvious human-created writing, the style changes completely. It reads differently, and we realize it almost immediately.
We react the same way, retreating and finally ending our subscription. It happens quietly, but eventually only the ignorant will stay.
Readers get a “feel” for a writer’s work, it has a unique signature. Many of us are avid readers, not only writers, and we quickly spot changes in the “personality” behind the writing.
It is deeply disappointing and sad when we realize this fact. We loved someone who didn’t exist.
AI will kill the humanness of writing if we aren’t careful.
Stay true to yourself!
Namaste
What bothers me too are the “suspicions” and accusations. I don’t want to have to wonder who wrote something or worry about my own work being questioned. What bugs me maybe even more is that I am absorbing the tone and style of artificially generated content and have unintentionally started to mimic. I am now reading “old” literature intentionally to re scramble my way of loving and using language…
I share your struggle, Rea. We are losing "voice" in AI. Because I have a couple of books and a good bit of content floating around, I asked AI to write a short essay about the joys of hiking, using the writing style of one Stephen Drew. In about 10 seconds, out came 300 words that at first blush were just delightful, but soul stripped. All it could do was pirate language, but had no concept of voice. That's the point I would fear, because it would imply sentience.
As for its use by artists, that would be a matter of conscience, but I hear you...adds the task of determining veracity to the process of consuming art.