I am fascinated by what artificial intelligence (AI) means to the world (and to me). It is here to stay. Like many aspects of technology, AI has both benefits and drawbacks. I have been playing with it as I write these blog posts and have mixed feelings. If I were still in higher education, I would be thinking deeply about this issue as I contemplate how it can help me as well as others (my students) become better and more creative writers.
I experiment with AI as I write these days. A benefit is increased efficiency in generating ideas. I have especially found it useful in creating titles for blogs. I have not used any of the generated titles, but the suggestions stimulate my thinking about how to make a title more appealing. AI also offers creative ideas that I can use as a foundation for my thoughts about a given topic. As I noted in my blog about socks, asking an AI program to give me history about socks speeded my research about the topic. My task was then to edit the suggestions and personalize the ideas.
As I write (and the advice I would give if I were still evaluating student papers), I want to critically evaluate the information provided. Since my blogs are about personal reflections in wandering and wondering, I remind myself to reflect on the facts that AI uncovers that I can relate personally.
I asked an AI program to highlight implications for drafting personal essays. It suggested that “writers can use AI tools to analyze data, gather insights, and support their arguments. This can enhance the depth and credibility of personal essays.” Although AI excels at data-driven questions, creativity and emotional intelligence are needed. Limitations exist because human experiences are not illuminated. AI stimulates my creativity, but it cannot accurately reflect my attitudes, insights, emotions, and feelings.
I have no conclusions about this tool. Much will unfold in the coming months and years. AI can be valuable and has implications for both good and evil. I will capitalize on its potential just as I use other tools such as the internet and computers. I am open to broader implications for myself, human experiences, and writing.
This helps my understand and lean into AI more than I have been willing to do. Thanks
Interesting. I guess I am a slow and reluctant adopter (surprisingly to me since I’ve always loved techie things). I wonder what AI “leaves out”– what does it miss. Maybe I’d miss those same things too if I was doing my own rummaging around. I guess it bothers me to assume that this summary of a search is being interpreted and spoon-fed to me in a way that I would come to on my own. Yet, AI has appeal around ease, time-savings, and access. Is it any different from research lit reviews that synthesize a bunch of relevant articles? Maybe I’m being too hesitant to jump to something that seems to minimize personal thinking and decision-making when it really as you suggest can do the opposite. As they say, time will tell… 🙂