What AI Will Never Do

Posted September 3Sep 3

When I was a young writer, I spoke to magazine editors, political speechwriters, authors, professors, agents, and book editors. I was told one thing.

It was universal counsel.

“Find your voice.”

It’s seemingly simple advice, right? No. It takes most writers years to find their voice. It takes writing, more writing, editing, writing, editing, and even more writing.

There are some individuals born with a voice.

Other creatives have to work to develop their unique voice.

The one thing that sets them apart from other writers, artists, and musicians. The creatives who live to tell their stories. Who are compelled to share their hearts and vision.

The pulsating soul within that they are unable to quiet.

I’m not against AI.

I use it as a business tool. I’ve also used AI to brainstorm a writing concept I’m developing. I’m a freelance journalist, marketer, former business columnist turned relationship columnist.

I see value in AI.

AI is a tool we can use in business and writing.

We can brainstorm article ideas, ways to market our work, or perfect the main point of something we are trying to say. AI is an exciting tool.

AI does not replace a writer.

AI can and does render a replica of a writer’s copy. It can reflect a slice of an individual’s voice. Especially with effective prompts. But at best it’s an imitation, not unique art.

I don’t use AI when I write articles.

Because AI will never capture my voice.

I worked hard to earn that voice. It wasn’t easy. The industry professionals were correct. I would need to write endlessly to find it. Only then would my distinct personality evolve, and connect with a reader.

That’s when the magic happens.

A magazine or book editor will comment on my voice.

A reader will glance at my work, and instantly recognize the author.

AI is a new frontier. Technology is advancing. There are ways we can use AI as a tool. Especially in the brainstorming arena for ideas, direction, etc.

But AI will never replicate a writer’s voice.

It will attempt to copy it.

AI may even come close.

That is all.

Here’s another interesting tidbit to consider. The aforementioned industry professionals did tell me that one thing. But I left out the first part of their universal response.

“You’re a greater writer,” they said. “Now you need to find your voice.”

What does that tell you?

AI may regurgitate some decent writing. It might even be great. But I was told I was very good. It wasn’t enough. It didn’t differentiate me. I told a decent story.

But my words didn’t stand out.

My voice couldn’t be heard, let alone recognized.

AI will turn some people into writers. AI will turn some writers into input prompters. AI will cause some upheaval before it levels out. New technology always does.

Change scares us, at least many of us.

But AI won’t insert the full human voice.

AI won’t hear my entire heart.

AI will hear a portion of it.

AI will research my work to a level that is exciting. AI will have the ability to capture much of me. I will feel known by AI. I will feel understood. But it will never capture all of me.

This is where writers and AI don’t completely intersect.

This is the human value.

This is our voice.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.