ai in creative writing

How writers can use AI writing tools to be more creative (even if they’re scared)

What type of content do you primarily create?

As technology advances, so do the tools available to creatives. First it was movable type, then mechanical pencils, and now we have generative AI. You’ve surely heard of it by now — it uses something called a large language model to create content based on prompts you give it. Generative AI tools can produce text (along with audio, video, pictures, and other things) and they can do it faster and cheaper than you, a human. 

That of course raises the fear that it could replace those of us who write for a living. And, yeah, that’s possible: if you write commodity copy, like paint-by-keyword SEO articles or super-safe marketing emails, generative AI will probably be able to do your job better and faster in the near future — if it doesn’t already.

But before you start studying for that real estate license, let’s recognize that, for most creatives — anyone whose job is to conjure original ideas and make something fresh — generative AI is just another tool you can use to streamline your process, or even to enhance your creativity. 

That goes for writers as much as anyone. We spoke to three who are already using generative AI writing tools in their work to get their insights on how to use AI to its fullest potential while protecting the human heart and soul in everything they make.

Plugging AI into your creative process

For novelist Leanne Leeds , generative AI was just a faster way of doing what she’d been doing already. “I kept a database of e-books I bought from writers that I liked. If I was writing and got stuck with phrasing or how to end a sentence or how to say something in a different way, I'd search through that database and flip through other authors' work to get ideas.” AI seemed like a more powerful version of her own database, so using it just made sense.

For anyone who writes, generative AI is a fantastic tool for getting out of ruts and finding the right word or phrase for the moment. Bestselling author Joanna Penn , who writes both thrillers and nonfiction — including “Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Virtual Worlds: The Impact of Converging Technologies On Authors and the Publishing Industry” — uses it a lot for this purpose. “AI tools enable me to ideate and iterate faster, and to spark off into other ideas,” she says.

But it’s much more than that. “The most exciting part is that it opens up the creative process to everyone, not just a chosen select few,” says storytelling professor and consultant Jim Hull. Jim funneled his 20 years as an animator and director at Disney and Dreamworks into Subtxt , an AI writing assistant that pairs a predictive narrative framework with AI text generation, and he is “definitely bullish on AI supporting the creative process.”

He has seen many potential artists drop their creative pursuit because they can’t get past their impostor syndrome and just start making stuff. “They feel that if they weren't ‘born with it,’ or if they didn't go to art school that they're not allowed to be creative in any shape or form,” he says. “With these new generative AI tools, the neophyte artist can start with nothing — and quickly see something that, in essence, gives them that permission to go on.”

With our powers combined

But once you add AI into the mix, who’s to say what’s yours, and what’s the robot’s? If you can get AI to do your writing, art, or video production for you, why do you need to be there?

First of all, even the best AI isn’t good enough yet to fully replace the human hand. “I've yet to see something that has come back, whether through GPT-3, ChatGPT, DALL-E, or Midjourney that didn't need some kind of tweaking,” Jim says.

Joanna agrees. “There is no magic button I can press to output a perfectly formed finished product, nor would I want to, anyway.”

That’s the thing: however you use generative AI tools, the creative decisions — what to include and leave out, how to say what you want to say, when humor moments work, and so on — remain ultimately, entirely, up to you. 

“It’s like having a super car sitting outside your house,” Joanna says. “It has huge potential, and it can go in any direction and end up in any place eventually. But you have to decide where to go, and you have to drive it there. The tool is nothing without the human behind the wheel.”

In addition, most people don’t create in a vacuum — they have help. It’s just that their help is usually human. “Currently, my books are around 90% my own words and around 10% augmented in some way with artificial intelligence,” Leanne says. “That 10% that has been augmented isn't much more than what my editor would augment by cleaning up phrasings or clunky statements or rearranging the presentation for clarity.”

There’s also something deeper at play: most creators like creating. Ancient humans didn’t make cave paintings to sell at auction; they did it because there’s something inherent to humanity that drives us to create. While companies will inevitably start using AI to pump out blog posts, marketing materials, and maybe even a few creative efforts like songs and novels, humans are not going to stop creating — and by extension, they likely won’t stop consuming human-made content, either.

Shortcomings to keep in mind

So the good news is that AI isn’t perfect. That’s also the bad news, if you were expecting it to make creative work easy.

The first challenge for creators using AI technology is that many of these tools are really technical — though more and more products are coming out that harness the power of the underlying AI with a more intuitive user interface. For example, Joanna started by using OpenAI’s GPT-3 on its own, which she found too difficult. Then she found Sudowrite , which uses GPT-3 to analyze characters, tone, and plot and offer ideas for what should happen next in a story — “essentially a pre-prompted front end,” as Joanna puts it.

Leanne uses Sudowrite too, and finds that it’s less a silver bullet for her creative challenges and more like a slot machine. “You hit the button, pay a coin, and hope that something awesome hits that's perfect — but most of the time, that's not going to be the case. It's rare that I see a paragraph the AI generated and I'm instantly impressed and ready to incorporate the entire paragraph as is. It's happened, but it's rare,” she says.

Generative AI can also offer up creative suggestions you didn’t ask for and would never want. The AI behind Subtxt will sometimes try to rewrite fiction stories to make them happier, for example, despite the fact that some of history’s greatest literature ends in tragedy. This is something Jim is actively working to change so that the tool stays aligned with the artist's intentions.

Likewise, the AI might want to inject some action in a spot where the character is deliberately taking no action — to resolve a conflict, for instance. “This would be the part where human intervention is still needed, and where I see the generative process as additive rather than as a replacement,” Jim says.

And finally, there are the ethical concerns. AI is only as good as the data used to build it, and any data pulled from the world at large is bound to have biases. And the more AI-assisted content that’s out there, the worse those biases will become. AI can also get facts wrong or make things up entirely.

Then there’s the issue of plagiarism and copyright, which is a thorny subject. And one that writers can expect to be on both sides of — seeing their own work parroted by AI tools and learning that they lifted from another writer via AI tools. “We need to be a bit gentle with each other as a creative community while this is getting worked out legally,” Leanne says. “It's going to get murkier before the waters clear.”

There are a few fixes out there for these issues. Joanna worked with the Alliance of Independent Authors to create guidelines for using AI, which include things like being aware of AI’s biases; editing, curating, and taking responsibility for anything you publish; and labeling anything created with the help of AI.

“For example, I include a statement of AI usage in my books, and I add a badge on my AI-generated audiobooks,” Joanna says.

Should you be afraid of generative AI? 

Probably! Generative AI has the potential to usher in a generational shift in the way we do lots of things, including creating content. That’s scary, and it’s okay to fear it. But don’t let it stop you from experimenting — that alone could help you get past your fears.

"Most people who are scared have not tried the tools yet,” Joanna says. She advises starting with the tasks you don’t enjoy doing, like writing promotional copy or website metadata.

It’s also okay to be afraid for your livelihood. If you make a living doing something that a computer can suddenly do — well, we’ve all seen how that turns out. But if you’re good at what you do, it will be a long time before the AI can replace you. And figuring out how you can use it to make you even better is probably your best defense against it. Plus, fear is rarely an ingredient in any recipe for creativity.

“I don't believe what is ultimately fear-based thinking is good for anyone, least of all the artist,” Jim says.

And in the end, AI is coming — whether you’re ready for it or not. So creators might as well embrace it.

“It’s early days,” Joanna says, “but like the internet, or electricity, AI will soon be part of almost everything we do.”

The author used the AI tool Whiskey to turn her rambled thoughts into a cohesive introduction paragraph and Lex AI for suggestions when her writing flow stalled. All AI-generated content was then edited by a human.

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How Generative AI Is Changing Creative Work

• Thomas H. Davenport
• Nitin Mittal

It may soon be standard practice for AI tools — such as GPT-3 and DALL-E — to provide first drafts of emails, articles, reports, blog posts, presentations, videos, and more.

Generative AI models for businesses threaten to upend the world of content creation, with substantial impacts on marketing, software, design, entertainment, and interpersonal communications. These models are able to produce text and images: blog posts, program code, poetry, and artwork. The software uses complex machine learning models to predict the next word based on previous word sequences, or the next image based on words describing previous images. Companies need to understand how these tools work, and how they can add value.

Large language and image AI models, sometimes called generative AI or foundation models, have created a new set of opportunities for businesses and professionals that perform content creation . Some of these opportunities include:

• Thomas H. Davenport is the President’s Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College, a visiting scholar at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, and a senior adviser to Deloitte’s AI practice. He is a coauthor of All-in on AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023).
• NM Nitin Mittal is a principal at Deloitte Consulting, the leader of its analytics and cognitive offering, and a coleader of Deloitte’s AI strategic growth offering. He is a coauthor of All-in on AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023).

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The future of creative writing with AI technology

As a writer, have you ever wondered what the future of creative writing holds? Will we eventually see robots producing best-selling novels, or will artificial intelligence (AI) simply help humans become more efficient and imaginative writers? While some may argue that AI could never replicate the creativity and emotional depth of human writing, others believe that the technology is rapidly advancing and could revolutionize the field of creative writing. according to a survey: t he AI writing assistant software market is expected to grow at a rate (CAGR) of 26.94% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of $6.464 billion by 2030

In this article, we'll explore the intersection of AI and creative writing, and consider both the promises and potential pitfalls of this exciting new technology. From chatbots that can help generate plotlines to programs that can analyze the emotional resonance of a piece of writing, the future of creative writing with AI technology is full of possibility. So, let's dive in and explore what the future holds for writers and readers alike.

The role of AI in generating story ideas and plotlines

One of the most exciting potential applications of AI in creative writing is its ability to generate story ideas and plotlines. With the help of machine learning algorithms and natural language processing, AI can analyze vast amounts of text data to identify patterns, themes, and plot structures. By doing so, it can generate new ideas for stories and plotlines that may not have occurred to a human writer.

One way that AI can generate story ideas is through the use of chatbots. These conversational agents can interact with users in natural language, asking questions and providing prompts to inspire new ideas. For example, a chatbot might ask a writer about their favorite genre or a character they find interesting, and then suggest plotlines or themes based on the writer's responses.

Another way that AI can generate plotlines is by analyzing existing stories and identifying patterns that can be used to create new ones. For example, an AI program might analyze a set of mystery novels to identify common plot structures or themes, and then use that information to generate a new mystery story that incorporates those elements.

While AI-generated story ideas and plotlines may not always be perfect, they have the potential to inspire human writers and provide new directions for creative exploration. In some cases, AI-generated ideas may even lead to unexpected breakthroughs or innovative approaches to storytelling. However, it's important to note that AI should be seen as a tool to assist writers, rather than a replacement for human creativity and imagination. Ultimately, the role of AI in generating story ideas and plotlines is to augment and enhance human creativity, not replace it.

AI tools for creative writing

Jasper: Recognized as the ultimate AI writing assistant in the market, Jasper stands out for its unrivaled features and exceptional quality. Seamlessly analyzing seed words, it effortlessly generates well-crafted phrases, coherent paragraphs, or comprehensive documents that align with the desired subject matter and tone of voice. One of its most remarkable capabilities is its lightning-fast ability to produce a 1,500-word article within a matter of seconds, making it an invaluable asset for any writer or content creator.

Copy.ai: Designed specifically for copywriting, Copy.ai is a game-changer in the world of AI writing tools. Its intuitive interface and powerful algorithms make writing compelling copy and publishing blog posts an effortless and efficient process. Whether you need captivating ad copy, engaging social media posts, or persuasive website content, Copy.ai empowers you to create high-quality, conversion-focused content with ease.

Anyword: Anyword is an indispensable AI writing tool that revolutionizes the writing process. With its advanced capabilities, it enables users to generate long-form content that captivates readers and delivers a memorable impact. Additionally, Anyword's intelligent algorithms can create engaging headlines that grab attention and drive click-through rates. By minimizing writing errors and maximizing production time, Anyword empowers writers to enhance their productivity and achieve outstanding results.

Sudowrite: Aspiring fiction writers can rely on Sudowrite to unleash their creativity. This AI writing tool is specifically designed to assist and inspire fiction authors. Sudowrite offers a range of features tailored to the needs of storytellers, from character development and plot suggestion to immersive world-building. With Sudowrite by their side, writers can bring their fictional worlds to life and embark on captivating storytelling adventures.

AIcontentfy: AIcontentfy is a versatile AI content tool that caters to a wide range of writing needs. From creating engaging blog posts to crafting captivating social media captions and compelling website copy, AIcontentfy delivers high-quality content for various purposes. By suggesting relevant topics and keywords based on writers' interests and previous content, AIcontentfy sparks fresh ideas and ignites inspiration, ensuring that writers can consistently produce engaging and impactful written content.

The potential for AI to improve the editing and revision process

Another exciting potential application of AI in creative writing is its ability to improve the editing and revision process. Writing is an iterative process, and the editing and revision stages are crucial for refining and improving a piece of writing. With the help of AI, writers can streamline this process and improve the quality of their work.

One way that AI can improve the editing and revision process is through automated proofreading and grammar checking. AI algorithms can analyze text for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and other common errors that can detract from the readability and impact of a piece of writing. This can save writers time and effort in the editing process, allowing them to focus on refining their ideas and improving the structure and flow of their writing.

Another way that AI can improve the revision process is through the use of natural language processing and sentiment analysis. By analyzing the language and emotional tone of a piece of writing, AI can provide suggestions for improving the clarity, coherence, and emotional resonance of a piece. For example, an AI program might suggest changes to the wording of a sentence or paragraph to make it more impactful or suggest alternative phrasing to make a point more clearly.

While AI can be a powerful tool for improving the editing and revision process, it's important to note that it's not a replacement for human judgment and creativity. Ultimately, the writer is still responsible for making the final decisions about their work. However, by using AI to streamline the editing and revision process, writers can focus on the creative aspects of their work and produce higher-quality writing in less time.

The impact of AI on the publishing industry and the job market for writers

The rise of AI in creative writing has had a significant impact on the publishing industry and the job market for writers. While the use of AI in writing is still in its early stages, it has the potential to fundamentally change the way that we think about the writing process and the role of writers in society.

One of the most obvious impacts of AI on the publishing industry is in the area of content creation . With the ability to generate high-quality writing at scale, AI has the potential to disrupt the traditional publishing model, which has historically relied on a small number of highly skilled writers to produce content. In the future, it's possible that AI-generated content could become the norm, leading to a decrease in demand for human writers and a shift in the balance of power between writers and publishers.

However, it's important to note that AI is not necessarily a threat to human writers. While the technology may be able to generate high-quality writing, it cannot replicate the creativity, empathy, and emotional depth that are the hallmarks of great literature. As such, human writers will likely continue to play a vital role in the publishing industry, albeit in different ways than they have in the past.

One potential area where human writers may find new opportunities is in the area of curation and editing. With so much content being produced by AI, there will be an increased need for skilled editors and curators who can sift through the vast amount of content and identify the pieces that are most worthy of publication.

Overall, the impact of AI on the publishing industry and the job market for writers is complex and multifaceted. While the technology has the potential to disrupt the industry in significant ways, it's important to remember that human creativity and talent will always be a valuable commodity, and that AI is just one tool among many that writers can use to enhance their craft.

Examples of successful AI-generated writing and its reception by readers

As the use of AI in creative writing continues to gain traction, there have been several notable examples of successful AI-generated writing. These range from short stories and poetry to full-length novels, and they have been met with a range of reactions from readers and critics alike.

One of the most famous examples of AI-generated writing is "The Day a Computer Writes a Novel," a short story written by a Japanese AI program called Hikaru-Ai. The story was entered into a literary competition in Japan and received high marks from the judges, who praised its structure, plot, and character development. While the story was not published in a traditional literary journal, its success was a clear indication of the potential for AI to generate high-quality writing.

Another notable example of AI-generated writing is "Sunspring," a short film written entirely by an AI program called Benjamin. The film was created as part of a competition and received widespread attention for its surreal and disjointed narrative. While some viewers found the film confusing or unengaging, others praised it for its experimental approach to storytelling and its willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI-generated content.

More recently, a number of AI-generated novels have been published, including "1 the Road" by Belamy AI and "The Day I Became the Universe" by AIVA. While these novels have received mixed reviews from readers and critics, they represent an important milestone in the development of AI-generated writing and demonstrate the potential for AI to generate long-form narratives that are engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, the reception of AI-generated writing by readers has been mixed. While some have praised the quality and innovation of the writing, others have expressed skepticism about the ability of AI to replicate the complexity and emotional depth of human writing. However, there is no doubt that AI-generated writing is becoming increasingly sophisticated and that it has the potential to play an important role in the future of creative writing.

The limitations of AI technology in replicating human creativity and emotion

AI technology has made impressive strides in recent years, particularly in the realm of creative writing. However, there are still significant limitations to what AI can accomplish when it comes to replicating human creativity and emotion.

One of the main challenges for AI in creative writing is its inability to truly understand human emotion and experience. While AI can analyze large datasets and identify patterns, it lacks the human experience and intuition needed to fully capture the nuances of human emotion and behavior. As a result, AI-generated writing can often feel mechanical or flat, lacking the depth and richness of human-created content.

Another limitation of AI technology is its inability to generate truly original ideas. While AI can use machine learning algorithms to analyze existing texts and generate new content based on that analysis, it cannot generate truly original ideas in the same way that a human writer can. This can lead to a lack of true innovation in AI-generated writing, with much of the content feeling derivative or formulaic.

Furthermore, AI technology is limited by its reliance on data. While AI can use large datasets to generate new content, it cannot create content that is entirely disconnected from existing data. This means that AI-generated content may be limited by the biases and assumptions inherent in the data it is trained on, potentially leading to problematic or biased content.

Finally, AI technology is limited by its lack of consciousness or self-awareness. While AI can simulate human behavior and thought patterns to some extent, it lacks the subjective experience and self-awareness that is fundamental to human creativity. This means that AI-generated writing may lack the depth and introspection that is often a hallmark of human-created content.

Overall, while AI technology has made impressive strides in recent years, there are still significant limitations to its ability to replicate human creativity and emotion. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be important for developers and users to keep these limitations in mind and to find ways to balance the benefits of AI-generated content with the unique qualities of human creativity.

The use of AI in developing personalized content for individual readers

One of the most promising applications of AI in creative writing is its ability to develop personalized content for individual readers. By analyzing a reader's preferences and reading history, AI algorithms can generate content that is tailored to their interests and reading level.

This approach to content generation has the potential to revolutionize the way we consume and interact with written material. Instead of passively consuming content that has been developed for a broad audience, readers can receive content that is uniquely suited to their individual tastes and needs.

AI algorithms can analyze a reader's reading history to identify patterns in their interests and preferences. For example, if a reader has shown a preference for science fiction novels or historical non-fiction, AI algorithms can generate content that is similar in genre or style. This approach can help to surface content that the reader might not have discovered on their own, and can provide a more personalized reading experience.

In addition, AI algorithms can also adapt content to a reader's reading level. By analyzing factors such as sentence structure, vocabulary, and complexity, AI algorithms can adjust the level of difficulty of the content to match the reader's skill level. This can be particularly useful for young readers or for adults who are learning a new language or subject area.

Overall, the use of AI in developing personalized content for individual readers has the potential to revolutionize the way we consume and interact with written material. By tailoring content to a reader's interests and needs, AI algorithms can provide a more engaging and personalized reading experience, and can help to surface content that might otherwise go undiscovered. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how it can be used to further enhance the way we consume and interact with written material.

The role of AI in enabling new forms of writing, such as interactive and immersive storytelling

AI is not only revolutionizing the way we write and consume written content but also enabling entirely new forms of writing, such as interactive and immersive storytelling. With the help of AI, writers can create experiences that allow readers to actively participate in the story, making the experience more engaging and immersive.

Interactive storytelling, in particular, is an area where AI is making significant strides. With the help of AI algorithms, writers can create branching narratives that allow readers to make choices that influence the direction and outcome of the story. This approach can create a sense of agency and immersion that traditional storytelling often lacks.

In addition to interactive storytelling, AI is also enabling new forms of immersive storytelling, such as virtual and augmented reality experiences. With the help of AI, these experiences can be personalized to the individual reader, creating a sense of presence and immersion that traditional storytelling cannot match.

Overall, the role of AI in enabling new forms of writing is an exciting development that is pushing the boundaries of what we consider to be "writing." With the help of AI algorithms, writers can create experiences that are more engaging, interactive, and immersive, allowing readers to become active participants in the story. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how writers use it to further enhance and expand the possibilities of storytelling.

The future of AI in creative writing and its potential implications for the field

The future of AI in creative writing is a topic of much speculation and excitement, with many experts predicting that AI will continue to play an increasingly important role in the field. As AI technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to transform the way we write, consume, and interact with written content, and to open up new possibilities for creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

One of the most significant implications of AI for creative writing is its potential to democratize the field, making it more accessible to a wider range of individuals. With the help of AI, individuals with little or no formal writing training can create high-quality written content that is engaging, informative, and entertaining. This can be particularly important in fields such as journalism or content creation, where the ability to write well is often a prerequisite for success.

AI also has the potential to enhance collaboration and creativity in the writing process. With the help of AI algorithms, writers can receive real-time feedback on their work, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and to refine their ideas. Additionally, AI can help writers generate new ideas and explore different creative directions, leading to more innovative and engaging written content.

However, the growing role of AI in creative writing also raises important ethical and societal questions. For example, what happens when AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human-generated content? Will readers be able to tell the difference, and if not, what implications will this have for the integrity of written content?

Overall, the future of AI in creative writing is an exciting and rapidly evolving area, with far-reaching implications for the field. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how it is used to enhance and transform the way we write, consume, and interact with written content, and to explore the ethical and societal implications of these developments.

The ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in creative writing

As with any emerging technology, there are ethical considerations that must be taken into account when it comes to the use of AI in creative writing. While AI has the potential to revolutionize the writing process and make it more efficient and effective, there are also concerns about its impact on human creativity, copyright law, and the future of the writing profession.

One of the key ethical considerations surrounding AI in creative writing is the question of authorship. If AI is used to generate content, who should be considered the author of that content? Should it be the programmer who wrote the AI algorithm, the company that owns the algorithm, or the end user who puts the algorithm to work? This is a question that has yet to be fully resolved, and it has significant implications for copyright law and the future of the writing profession.

Another ethical consideration is the potential impact of AI-generated content on human creativity. While AI can be a powerful tool for generating ideas and streamlining the writing process, there are concerns that it may also stifle human creativity by making it too easy to produce high-quality content. Some experts worry that the use of AI in writing could lead to a world where all writing sounds the same, with little room for individual expression or innovation.

There are also concerns about the impact of AI on the job market for writers. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it may be able to replace human writers in certain areas, leading to a decrease in demand for skilled writers and a shift in the balance of power between writers and publishers.

Finally, there are ethical concerns related to the use of AI in the production of biased or misleading content. If AI algorithms are programmed with biased or incomplete data, they may produce content that reinforces existing stereotypes or promotes misinformation. It's important to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and accuracy in all forms of writing.

Overall, the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in creative writing are complex and multifaceted. It's important for writers, publishers, and policymakers to consider these issues carefully as they explore the potential benefits and risks of this emerging technology.

Wrapping up

The future of creative writing with AI technology is a fascinating and rapidly evolving area that has the potential to transform the way we write, consume, and interact with written content. AI algorithms are already being used to generate story ideas and plotlines, to improve the editing and revision process, and to develop personalized content for individual readers. In addition, AI is enabling entirely new forms of writing, such as interactive and immersive storytelling, which allow readers to actively participate in the story.

While AI technology has many exciting possibilities, it also raises important ethical and societal questions, such as the impact of AI on the publishing industry and the job market for writers, and the potential for AI to replicate human creativity and emotion. Despite these concerns, the future of AI in creative writing is bright, and as the technology continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how writers use it to further enhance and expand the possibilities of storytelling.

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The Essential Guide to Using AI Writing Tools for Content Creation

Gone are the days when content creation was solely the domain of human creativity and laborious hours of writing. Generative AI has created a seismic shift in how we conceive, produce, curate, and optimize content.

Despite generative AI's potential to transform the content writing process and create high-quality content, many companies have yet to adopt it . Often, their hesitation stems from a lack of familiarity.

This guide will help you navigate the transformative landscape of AI-generated content, highlighting its benefits and practical applications for enhancing your writing prowess.

Benefits of Leveraging AI in Content Creation

Improved Speed and Efficiency

According to Capttera, a staggering 80% of marketing professionals spend 50-75% of their time on content generation. Integrating AI in marketing workflows can help alleviate this burden and allow marketers to focus on more strategic tasks.

One of the most compelling benefits of AI writing tools is their ability to reduce the amount of time it takes to generate content. AI content generators can produce a draft in seconds, a task that might take a human writer hours or even days. Content writers also benefit from using AI assistants to revise content faster. These improved workflows create higher-quality content in less time. 

For example, an AI email generator can swiftly craft highly personalized guest post outreach emails by analyzing a webpage in mere seconds!

Enhanced Creativity

AI writing assistants are also great creativity enhancers, helping broaden writers' creative horizons.

These tools can provide you with diverse angles and ideas. They can also help you overcome writer's block and keep your content fresh and engaging. For instance, tools like ChatGPT can be used to brainstorm unique topic ideas, titles, and outlines or experiment with different writing styles and tones.

Cost-Effectiveness

AI writers offer a more budget-friendly alternative to the traditional content creation process. Businesses can save on labor costs and allocate resources more efficiently by automating part of the content production process, especially for high-volume, repetitive writing tasks.

Additionally, the shift towards AI-driven content creation makes it easier for teams to work from home . Remote work thrives on flexibility and efficiency—hallmarks of AI-driven content creation. The adoption of AI-driven content creation tools minimizes the need for in-person supervision and supports remote teams by streamlining communication and project management. AI provides consistent quality and guidance, making remote collaboration as effective as face-to-face collaborations, if not more so.

AI makes content generation accessible to a wider range of businesses, from startups to established companies looking to scale their content marketing efforts.

6 ways to use AI to become a better writer

Wondering how you can start using AI for content creation? These budget-friendly strategies will help you become a more creative and efficient writer!

1. Brainstorm topic ideas

Seeking to establish authority or cover unexplored topics? AI can help you explore new angles and perspectives, enriching your content plan.

When asking an AI bot like ChatGPT to generate blog topics, your instructions, aka prompts, need to be as clear and specific as possible.

As the saying goes, "The Devil is in the Details". A good AI prompt is detailed, but still open-ended, allowing the tool to explore diverse ideas. A bad prompt is vague or overly broad, leading to generic responses that lack focus.

Giving the AI bot context about your business improves results. Tell the bot your job title and give it a link to your company website.

For example, instead of saying, "Give me 10 blog topics about technology," a more effective prompt would be "Act like you are a content writer for a healthcare company. Generate a list of emerging tech trends impacting healthcare in 2024. These topics will be used as blog posts on [insert website]."

2. Create SEO-optimized titles and summaries

Use AI to generate SEO optimized titles and summaries for content you've already written.

The digital space is filled with AI content assistants that can create search-optimized blog post titles, TL;DRs, and outlines. Many of these assistants are available for free. Some of these tools require detailed prompts, like ChatGPT, while other tools created by SEO pros like Ahrefs and Copy.AI are more straightforward.

ChatGPT is an all-encompassing AI content creation tool. Simply feed it the content you're looking to summarize or create a title for, give it some business context, and watch it generate ideas. When writing your prompt, be sure to tell the chatbot that the results should be optimized for SEO.

Copy.AI offers a ready-to-use blog title generator. This tool requires minimal customization – simply input your target keyword or topic and watch the AI generate SEO optimized titles for you.

If you're looking for more precision and control over the output generated by the AI, try Ahrefs' Free AI Blog Title Generator. This tool is adept at crafting catchy, SEO-optimized titles. It lets you pick the tone of writing, generate multiple title variations at once, and provide context about the post's content, ensuring your titles resonate with your audience.

3. Generate drafts

AI writers are excellent at drafting content for blog posts, ad copy, product descriptions, and more. You can even integrate them with your social media management tools to help you create captions and social posts.

Once you've chosen your target keywords and finalized an outline, use AI writing software to create your first draft.

For platforms like ChatGPT, a detailed prompt is crucial. It should include all relevant information: the outline, desired keywords, conducted research, and specific facts or details. Explain the post's purpose, desired structure, and tone of voice. You can even feed it content you've written in the past, or provide a link to the landing page the content will eventually live on. This will enable the AI to create content that matches your writing style.

You can ask the AI tool to generate a complete draft or work alongside the tool and draft paragraph by paragraph. Many prefer the latter, as it allows for more control. Each time the AI bot generates a new paragraph you can give it feedback on length, amount of detail, relevancy, etc. This will help the chatbot learn to write better for you.

If you have a budget, try tools like Jasper AI or Surfer SEO. These specialized AI content writing assistants can truly elevate your content creation journey. They will walk you through the entire writing process and use advanced AI copywriting to streamline the journey from idea generation to published piece.

Unlike ChatGPT, these user-friendly AI content tools offer step-by-step guidance and pre-designed templates, making them ideal for beginners.

Remember — AI-written drafts need revision and fact-checking. Relying entirely on AI without any editing from your side can cause serious issues. We'll cover that later.

4. Improve clarity and fix grammar

Certain AI tools are designed to elevate your original content by enhancing clarity, engagement, and grammar. Two tools work exceptionally well for this purpose – Grammarly and the Hemingway App.

Grammarly, an AI writing assistant, catches spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. It also offers suggestions for enhancing clarity, conciseness, and tone. Simply copy and paste your draft into the tool or use the browser extension for real-time feedback.

Hemingway App, another powerful AI content writing tool, focuses on making your writing bold and clear. It rewords complex sentences, passive voice, and other readability issues. 

While both tools have different strengths, they complement each other well. Combining these tools will benefit use cases like editing blog posts, email content, or any other written material.

5. Add unique images to your work

Incorporating captivating images into your content can significantly enhance its appeal.

Here are some of the best AI image generators:

• DALL·E 3 stands out for its ease of use, making it an excellent choice for those new to AI content generation. Simply describe the image you want and use the AI to generate it.
• Midjourney is known for delivering high-quality image results. This AI tool caters to users seeking exceptional visuals. 
• For those desiring more control over their creations, Stable Diffusion provides extensive customization options. 
• Adobe Firefly excels in integrating AI-generated images into existing photos. This AI is great for enhancing existing visuals through a blend of creativity and realism.

When using AI to create images, select a tool that aligns with your specific needs—be it ease of use, quality, customization, or integration. The vast number of AI tools available means there's a solution for virtually any visual content requirement. ‍

6. Get feedback

AI can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your content. Here are a few examples:

• Paste your content into a tool like ChatGPT and ask it to improve clarity and readability. You could also ask it to add more details or examples to support your points.
• Try AI content writing tools like Surfer SEO or Frase for SEO optimization . Get recommendations on keywords, headings, and content length to improve search rankings.
• Use AI writing software to align with Google's EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles. EEAT is Google’s guidelines for creating helpful, reliable, and people-first content. AI tools can help you find gaps in your content and suggest ways to showcase your expertise and credibility. Tools like MarketMuse or Clearscope are great for this.

Be specific in your prompts to get the most relevant feedback. For instance, ask, "How can I make this post more engaging for [type of audience]?" or "What can I do to SEO optimize this content for X keyword?"

These writing assistants can refine your work and guide you to adopt better writing practices over time.

How to avoid common mistakes when using AI writing tools

AI writing tools offer huge benefits for content creators. However, there are common mistakes to avoid when using AI to write. Here's how to navigate these pitfalls effectively:

• Editing, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking : Always review and fact-check AI-generated content to avoid misinformation. AI can make mistakes or draw flawed conclusions, so verifying the information before publishing is crucial.
• Feeding a good prompt : Provide clear, specific, and complete instructions to your AI writing tool. Include the content type, context, desired tone, and other relevant details. The more precise your input, the better the output.
• Adding Personality to AI Content : AI-generated text sometimes lacks personality or sounds generic. To stand out, infuse your voice and style into the content. Make edits and adjustments to ensure the final piece aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.
• Ethical Content Creation with AI : Be aware of potential biases and discrimination caused by AI algorithms trained on biased datasets. Familiarize yourself with the subject to spot any AI hallucinations or incorrect information.

Embracing the Power of AI for Content Creation

AI writing tools offer incredible opportunities to speed up content production and inject new levels of creativity and efficiency.

But, it's important to remember that quality and ethics should guide your content. Use the AI-generated content as a springboard for your creativity, ensuring it complements rather than replaces your unique insights and expertise. Blend AI's efficiency with your creative flair.

A recent Deloitte study examined how companies rate the readiness of their staff for adopting generative AI (GenAI). Almost all companies think their workforce is at least slightly prepared for AI. Only 13 percent say they are totally unprepared.

AI-powered writing tools are not a fad. They continue to evolve and become more integral to our content creation processes. So, get ready now!

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2023 Theses Doctoral

AI and the Writer: How Language Models Support Creative Writers

Gero, Katy Ilonka

Writing underlies a vast landscape of cultural artifacts, from poetry to journalism to scientific papers. While technology has been used to reduce the cognitive load of writing with accurate next word prediction, recent developments in natural language generation may prove able to go beyond predicting what we were going to write anyway, and give us new ideas relevant to a particular writing task. This proposal, of computers giving writers valuable ideas, is quite new in the history of writing tools, and has so far proven illusory. Existing systems that address story continuation, which present writers with options for the next sentence in their story, has continually found that suggested sentences are nonsensical, inconsistent with what's already written, or a deviation from the writer's intended direction. Thus, it's not understood if---and if so, how---generative language technologies can support writers with complex writing tasks. I address this challenge by focusing on more specific goals than story continuation, and demonstrate that the methods I develop generate coherent, cogent suggestions that writers are able to use in a variety of settings and writing tasks. In this thesis, I consider writing tasks that are constrained by some external expectation, such as the logic of a metaphor or the details of a technical topic, but also require creativity to write a sentence or paragraph that is novel, surprising, and engaging to read. I introduce a design space, based on the cognitive process model of writing, that reveals how constrained, creative writing tasks are not supported by current writing support tools. I then present methods, embedded in systems, to support two challenging constrained, creative writing tasks. With `Metaphoria', I present a method to aid in metaphor writing by generating metaphorical connections between two concepts. With `Sparks', I present a method to aid in science writing by generating sentences that make a connection between a technical topic and typical reader interests. These systems demonstrate that computation has the power to support constrained, creative tasks, and outline how they aid in inspiration, translation, and perspective. Finally, through a qualitative study with a range of creative writers, I uncover the social dynamics that modulate how writers respond to such generative writing support. Collectively, this work demonstrates new methods for using technology to support creative writers, and presents theoretical results that describe both how and why writers make use of such technologies.

• Computer science
• Artificial intelligence
• Writing--Technological innovations
• Creative writing

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Katy Ilonka Gero

AI Reveals the Most Human Parts of Writing

A woman has been working on her book, a young adult fantasy novel, for hours. At some point, she gets the familiar itch to check her email: She can’t think of what to write next. She stares at the screen. She’s lost her words. She could bang her head against the wall, or maybe turn to a favorite book for inspiration, or lose her momentum to distraction. But instead she turns to an AI writing tool, which takes in her chapter so far and spits out some potential next paragraphs. These paragraphs are never quite what she wants, though they sometimes contain beautiful sentences or fascinating directions. (Once it suggested a character sings a song, and also generated the lyrics of the song.) Even when these paragraphs fail, they make her interested in the story again. She’s curious about this computer-generated text, and it reignites her interest in her own writing.

With the advent of high quality computer-generated text, writers suddenly have a half-decent writing buddy who at least wants to do what they ask (even if it doesn’t always succeed) and has no desire to take any credit. Never before could writers get paragraphs of fluent text on a topic of their choice, except from another writer. (Ghostwriting may be an appropriate analogy for these writerly use cases of AI.) This is posing questions to writers everywhere: Which parts of writing are so tedious you’d be happy to see them go? Which parts bring you the inexplicable joy of creating something from nothing? And what is it about writing you hold most dear? 

I’ve spent the past five years working with computer-generated text systems as part of my PhD work in human-AI interaction, and talking to writers about how they do—or do not—want to incorporate them into their practice. The woman above, working on her fantasy novel, is based on a woman I interviewed as part of a study on the social dynamics of writers requesting and incorporating support from computers.

It’s useful to think about three different parts of writing: planning, drafting, and revising. I consider these to be parts, and not stages, of writing; they are cognitive processes involved in writing, such that planning can occur at the beginning but also middle and even end of a writing project. By thinking through specific parts of writing, we can understand in more detail how computers will end up affecting writing as a whole. This exploration will not only help us understand the future of writing, but also help us create the kind of future we’re happy to live in.

Let’s go back to the writer working on her first novel. She was happy to let a computer push her through writer’s block. But she was adamant that crafting the plot line was fundamentally human. The plot was the story she wanted to tell. This is where she felt her intention lay, what she workshopped and worked over. Other writers agree with her; there is a kind of problem-solving involved with figuring out where a story or poem or essay is going, and many writers feel they are uniquely positioned to solve such problems.

But an AI writing system proposing a potential solution can be seen as a challenge, where the computer’s ideas would represent a low bar that the writer must improve on, a first step toward crafting an even better solution. One writer I interviewed was working on a TV pilot script. She was told, when it comes to TV and comedy, “If you feel like turning right, turn left.” Her writing had to be uniquely original, because people have seen so much TV already. No matter how good a computer-generated line of dialog might be, she felt she would always have to be better. She imagined using an AI writing system that would finish a scene for her, and then she’d know there would be something more unexpected and insightful she would have to find. 

Emily Mullin

Joel Khalili

C. Brandon Ogbunu

Still, in many cases, letting a computer impact the direction of a project, rather than craft a few choice sentences, can feel like giving the computer the reins when really, you want to feel in charge. Planning can also be enjoyable. Planning—and I include processes like figuring out plot points, endings, and openings, as well as any kind of activity on a higher level than actually writing—is something many writers consider the tricky, intellectual, and interesting part of their work, a part that feels uniquely human. Figuring out how a poem should end is difficult, but there are some difficult things we enjoy doing. The achievement of landing the end of a scene may only come from struggling to do it yourself.

What about the tricky act of getting words on the page? In cognitive psychology research, this is often called “translating,” because we’re translating amorphous ideas into discrete words. Most writers, or really most people who have to write, know the feeling of a mind gone blank. The average writer trains themselves out of this fear, but no matter how many times you’ve put words on the page, you’re bound to encounter that moment when you don’t know what comes next. This is literally the task most computer systems are trained to do: predict what comes next. 

The role of AI writing systems as drafting buddies is a big departure from how writers typically get help, yet so far it is their biggest selling point and use case. Most writing tools available today will do some drafting for you, either by continuing where you left off or responding to a more specific instruction. SudoWrite, a popular AI writing tool for novelists, does all of these, with options to “write” where you left off, “describe” a highlighted noun, or “brainstorm” ideas based on a situation you describe. Systems like Jasper.ai or Lex will complete your paragraph or draft copy based on instructions, and Laika is similar but more focused on fiction and drama. 

These tools are good and getting better; an AI writing system is drawing on more text than any one person can read, and its ability to lean into the unexpected can be perfect for writers looking to make their writing feel more fresh. Computer-generated text has been likened to  automatic writing , or a  well-read but deranged parrot , giving it abilities almost tangential to those of human writers, perhaps even complementary abilities.

Yet it’s interesting that so many AI writing systems are created to finish our sentence, or predict our next one, because when I’ve talked to writers about what they typically want help with, no one ever talks about asking a person to write for them. This isn’t the way writers typically interact with people when it comes to their work, even though it’s what computers are best at, and are mostly being used for right now. While some writers are eager to get sentences on demand, others are hesitant to let an external entity choose their words. As several writers told me, once something is on the page, it’s just a little bit harder to imagine anything else. This is one reason many writers don’t like to get feedback early on in a project; the work is too delicate, they need to shore up the idea such that others can see its potential. A computer, while not explicitly bringing its own intention, can disrupt the writer’s intention. And other writers simply take pride in sitting down and pumping out a thousand words. It’s like exercise. You need to keep it up, otherwise your skills atrophy.

With so much focus on creation, few systems consider revision. Revision—this is where the average writer gets the most outside help. Barely any commercial systems have proposed generating feedback as a meaningful use of AI, but that may change as we discover how such technology, which is so good at finishing your sentences, can also generate interesting questions about your work. So while this technology isn’t quite at the forefront of our minds right now, I think it will be.

A computational perspective on your work is an old idea dating back to early research on statistics in language, using the frequency of words like the and with to discover authorial fingerprints in essays. But new technologies will sound more like a person, able to note that you’ve introduced a new term without properly defining it, or perhaps describe why a scene might be moving too slowly. Most writers are eager to get eyes on their work, and a computational eye may feel less frightening than your best friend; the computer might judge you, but not in a way that’ll impact your future relationship with it. Some writers think workshopping with a computer might be akin to talking to yourself, in that it’s private and feels internal, that it might not feel like someone else is in the room. Computers may become early-stage editors, giving writers an ability to get feedback before showing their work to someone more important.

But writers are also bound to mistrust computers because, after all, where is the computer coming from? We can stand all manner of sin when it comes to feedback as long as we can contextualize that the feedback is coming from that professor who never liked our work, or our friend who is always positive, or an editor with decades of experience. It will take some time for us to understand what the computer really brings and how often, or in what situations, we should trust it. Writers I have talked to worry about the normativity of AI writing systems, that they will reflect a straight white male perspective, but also fear a system attempting to represent another particular perspective that may lead to tokenization and stereotyping. In this way, computers will be in a bind, but system designers may find ways to bring context to a computer without needing to liken it to a person or identity group.

I want to come back to this idea of what we hold most dear, and the human nature of writing. It’s easy to be for or against including computer-generated text in your work, but I predict the conversation will get much more nuanced as we encounter the various ways computers can impact our writing. Writers want to protect their authenticity and intention. It may be useful to think of computer-generated text as dancing with the writer’s text. Most writers aren’t against collaboration. They just want to be in control of their own dance. As long as the computer can match the writer’s footwork, writers are happy to let a computer contribute to the performance. But the moment the computer steps on the writer’s toes, writers may get spooked. A plot point here, a stunning sentence there, an editorial comment that pushes the writer a little further; no one task is off the table. But when a computer ends up changing what the writer set out to achieve, writers may start to wonder whether their vision is getting muddied by an entity that lacks any experience with the real world.

My hope is that computer-generated text gives more people the chance to say what they want to say, to enact their own vision, whether that be through a system helping them with planning, drafting, revising, or something else entirely. I don’t think we’ll be seeing fully computer-generated books out-competing human authors any time soon—not because computers won’t be capable (though perhaps also that), but because I think we will, for a long time, be far more interested in what a person has to say.

It’s also worth reflecting on computer-generated text from the perspective of a reader. When will computers start to interfere with our sense that a person, and not a machine, had something to tell us? It may be that readers, not writers, draw the line on what’s acceptable, but we haven’t gone far enough to have to make that decision. We may get there in this century, and we’re going to need to ask ourselves what about communicative intent is so important. If I have an idea for a novel, but the computer writes most of it, is it still my story? This question will not be answered with numbers about how many words I or the computer wrote. It’s going to be answered culturally; it’s going to be a feeling we have about where authenticity or truth really lies. But thinking more concretely about where computers can get involved will help us answer this question, and make sure we answer it in a way that respects what we really value about writing.

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Artificial intelligence for writing: 10 helpful AI uses

Artificial intelligence for writing is as useful a writing tool as you make it. Read ten ideas to make AI writing generators work for your creative process.

• Post author By Jordan
• 10 Comments on Artificial intelligence for writing: 10 helpful AI uses

Artificial intelligence for writing? Will AI replace authors? These are questions that recur in recent writing about emerging AI tech. Alarm is a common response to change. Yet it’s not all dystopian in outlook. Here are ten helpful AI uses for writers and reasons to play and explore:

10 ways an AI writing generator could help your process:

AI writing tools are fun to play around with (and play is a vital part of creative process). Use tools such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Sudowrite to serve your writing process. At the same time, there are serious ethical questions , and concerns about its impacts (and it is wise to keep aware of the potential for plagiarism and misinformation ).

An auto-generated idea may be weak, but may also contain the seed of a novel story idea you can use.

You may randomize a quote or saying into another idea (or ten). An unexpected result might even take you down a more exciting route.

For example, you could use AI writing tools to expand the idea of a ‘factory’ setting and involve the senses more – what characters hear, see, touch, smell.

You might say ‘finish this incomplete sentence five different ways’, then use the AI output you like most as the starting point for your own (i.e. better), more natural version.

AI writing tools provide a way to vary and connect a word or phrase you have to another faster than using a thesaurus.

Instead of a name generator that has one output, create a list of options you can vary in niche ways (e.g. ‘a list of names starting with A that mean clarity or hope’).

What if a paragraph feels wordy and you want faster pacing? Use AI writing tools to paraphrase for concision or a shift in tone or style.

If you don’t know a subject well, AI writing tools provide a useful starting point to find related terms and concepts (but beware uncited or made-up supposed facts).

Use AI writing tools to find fun writing prompts on a style, concept or for a specific genre and create surreal or serious options.

Metaphor, metonymy (where a part stands for the whole, like ‘The Crown’ meaning a monarch) are figurative language devices. AI writing tools can help you find more.

Let’s explore creative ways to use AI writing generators:

Brainstorm story ideas you wouldn’t have imagined

There are many ways to find story ideas . Yet AI writing tools make it easier to brainstorm ideas you might not have imagined otherwise.

For example, when you think ‘feel-good holiday romance’ your mind may go to typical story settings first. Tropical islands. Or a character visits family back home somewhere rural or unexceptional, only to find an exceptional love.

What if we ask the AI tool and chatbot ChatGPT to give us ‘three feel-good holiday romance prompts featuring atypical romance settings’?

These are the auto-generated results:

A train journey: A young woman and a man, both traveling alone, meet on a long-distance train trip during the holiday season. They initially don’t like each other but are forced to spend time together due to the close quarters. A Christmas market: A man and a woman, who are both struggling with their own personal issues, meet at a Christmas market. They bond over their shared love for the holiday season, spend more time together, and begin to fall in love and find healing in each other. A food truck: A woman who is a chef and runs a food truck, meets a man who is a food blogger while working during the holiday season. They both have a love of food, and they start working together and experimenting with new flavors, they begin to discover their common interest and they start falling in love while they cook. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

Each output has several generic elements (the implied ‘enemies to lovers’ romance trope in the first option, for example). Yet each might have at least some usable elements (such as romantic leads meeting on a long-distance journey) that you can develop further.

AI writing tools supply a point of departure – writing still is best when you bring your own, totally human voice and experience to your work.

Will AI replace authors?

It’s difficult to say – authors are not just word generators as this AI-written, repetitive Medium article shows .

AI, like people, needs not only input to create but input on the output, too – editing.

Key criticisms of AI for writing such as ChatGPT:

• Misinformation: It may make up facts and quotes, due to the predictive nature of the way the tool creates.
• Cliched, formulaic or robotic outputs: Language is alive, constantly changing (in vernacular language such as slang for example), and nuanced. Drawing from a large pool of data and recombining predictively doesn’t equate to original thought, as The Atlantic shares . ‘Treat it like a toy, not a tool’, says Ian Bogost.
• Ethical questions: Many artists and writers have objected to the ways AI generative tools have been trained on work without the original creator’s express consent.

Ed’s note: A fan sent Australian musician Nick Cave an AI-generated song to which Cave replied it was a ‘a grotesque mockery’ , saying that art ‘requires my humanness’.

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Use an AI writing generator to twist words and phrases

There is so much dead language that is re-used and recycled. Live, laugh, love. Despite what Nick Cave says, many songs by human writers recycle the same old tropes.

Overused sayings, quotes and lines tend to hollow writing out, making it seem shallower, a pastiche of quotation (which might be a stylistic effect you want , of course).

If you want to take the obvious and give it a twist, though, artificial intelligence for writing comes in handy.

You could give an AI chatbot, for example, the prompt ‘ten sentences in the grammatical form of ‘you catch more flies with honey than vinegar’. Here’s what ChatGPT returned:

You’ll have more success with kindness than with anger. You’ll accomplish more with a positive attitude than a negative one. You’ll achieve more with sweetness than with sourness. You’ll get farther with flattery than with criticism. You’ll make more progress with generosity than with stinginess. You’ll win more hearts with compliments than with insults. You’ll gain more support with praise than with blame. You’ll find more cooperation with a friendly approach than a hostile one. You’ll earn more trust with honesty than with deception. You’ll achieve more with a gentle touch than with a heavy hand. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

These examples lose the vivid imagery of the original (catching flies with a sweet or acrid substance). So you could turn one of the above sayings back into something more impactful by replacing robotic abstraction with concrete language.

For example:

• You’ll gain more ears with a flute than a vuvuzela.
• You’ll get farther with a wink than a grimace.
• You’ll find more allies with a warm handshake than a rough frisk.
• You’ll earn more trust in a pulpit than a bunker.

Human: 1, machine: 0.5.

Expand (or condense) ideas easier

AI writing tools are useful when you want to take a word, concept or idea and unpack associations or connected concepts quickly.

Say, for example, you set a story in a factory but have never set foot on a factory floor.

You could give an AI writing generator the prompt ‘Describe five sounds in a clothing factory.’ The output gave expected results, though the fifth was less predictable. Paraphrased (each answer was a paragraph), we got:

• The sound of sewing machines.
• The noise of fabric being cut.
• Strains of laughter and chatter.
• The sound of footsteps.
• Music being played for focus and motivation

From a condensed output like this, you could then create a setting and write a paragraph of your own, human description.

Muneera loved the whir of the needle (but not the sudden scratch like a record’s arm removed fast when it occasionally caught and snagged). As scissors went snip, click, clack, her colleagues at the next bench laughed and chatted to the newbie who some of them still mistrusted. They fell silent at the sound of heavy footsteps – Newbie’s predecessor had been fired for the ‘transgression’ of speaking only the week before. Muneera slipped the left headphone out of her ear so as not to be next in line.

Find plot developments when you’re feeling blocked

There are many ways to beat writer’s block . Besides freewriting, creating a regular writing session by attending sprints and other strategies, AI writing tools may help.

Say we have the example paragraph from above and we don’t have an idea of how to continue.

We could put into ChatGPT or another AI writing tool , ‘Finish the sentence, “I hear more chatter than hemming,” the man…’ in five ways’.

Here are five outputs:

1 … the man said, looking around the factory floor with a frown. 2 … the man observed, shaking his head in disapproval. 3 … the man noted, with a hint of disappointment in his voice. 4 … the man exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. 5 … the man remarked, as he walked through the factory, checking on the progress of the garments. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

Reading through the results, you might decide the fifth has the most tension, and elaborate:

“I hear more chatter than hemming,” Mr Roy remarked, walking between the benches to peer over shoulders and check on the garments’ progress. To Muneera’s anxiety, he stopped at her sewing station. “The order must be shipped tomorrow and you will stay until it’s complete.” Muneera swore in her head. She couldn’t stay a minute past five that evening.

From this example, you can see how AI writing tools can help to direct the dance of writing. They are no substitute for a human understanding of desire, need, obstacle – for the way we experience GMC ( goals, motivations and conflicts ) in our everyday lives.

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Find synonyms, rhymes, and other related words

A further useful way to use AI for writing is as a thesaurus, dictionary of rhymes, or other word-finding tool.

For example, say you wanted rhymes for the word ‘to-do’. Typing in, ‘list of rhymes for the word ‘to-do’, we get:

screw, glue, queue, anew, pursue, chew, imbue, subdue, accrue, review, renew, issue, ensue, imbue Auto-generated ChatGPT output

To go a step further, you could brainstorm end-rhyme ideas and type, ‘first two lines of a funny poem containing words [list the above words, comma separated].

The not-good AI output:

My ex left a note and it read “Adieu,” I guess our love was not meant to imbue.

Yet it could be a starting point, for example, for a poem called ‘Denial’:

My ex left a note and it just read, ‘Screw you!’, since writing’s rewriting, I made it ‘Adieu …’ I emailed it off to The Paris Review , though unprinted it sold out their latest issue.

An AI writing generator’s poetic limitations in this case lead to something more playful, an unexpected idea.

Think up names (and their meanings)

Here’s another use of AI writing tools for authors: Coming up with names (whether real, as in logged in a census somewhere, or fantastical).

For example, you could put in, ‘List ten names starting with A that mean hope or clarity’.

The resulting generated list of names even features a justification for going off-brief (like a true writer!):

Aiden: meaning “fiery one” or “fiery”. Asher: meaning “happy, blessed, fortunate”. Aurora: meaning “dawn” or “light”. Abigail: meaning “father’s joy”. Alba: meaning “dawn” or “light”. Amelia: meaning “work” or “striving”. Aria: meaning “air” or “song”. Aurora: meaning “dawn” or “light”. Adira: meaning “strong, powerful”. Abrielle: meaning “God is my father”. Please note that some of the names may not have exactly “hope” or “clarity” meaning but are related to light, dawn, and positive meaning. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

From here, you might pick a name, or find a new prompt. For example, ‘list of words from five romance languages that mean ‘light’:

French: lumière Spanish: luz Italian: luce Portuguese: luz Roman: lumina Auto-generated ChatGPT output

From this, you could create your own name, for example, a character who narrates:

My ID says Luzanne, but my friends call me Luz. My Spanish viola teacher Mrs Gomes told me it means ‘light’, which is kinda ironic since my little brother says I’m a burden and the biggest goth in the whole school district.

Here, AI writing tools took the idea in a totally different direction, so they can help you let go of an idea you’re attached to that might be keeping other possibilities closed off.

Paraphrase quickly

When you want to say something similar in meaning in other words (paraphrase), AI writing tools are useful.

Take the above narration by a girl named Luz. You could give the prompt, ‘Rewrite this paragraph with a sarcastic tone.’

The result ChatGPT gives has a much deeper POV :

Oh yes, my ID may say ‘Luzanne’ but my so-called ‘friends’ have deemed it appropriate to call me ‘Luz’. How delightful. And let’s not forget the cherry on top, my Spanish viola teacher informing me that it means ‘light’. How humorous, considering my dear little brother thinks of me as nothing more than a weight on his shoulders and the self-proclaimed ‘Goth Queen’ of our entire school district. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

Remember to edit or rewrite what you get back always. For example, ‘deemed it appropriate’ above reads pompous/stuffy in tone, and this wasn’t planned for the character. The tool went ham on the lofty tone that often goes hand-in-hand with sarcasm. It could be simplified to ‘but my so-called ‘friends’ call me ‘Luz’.’

Initiate story research

Many have written about how AI generators that draw on large data sets are a threat to Google search, since, like the search engine, they also compile data from diverse sources into a digestible information.

The New York Times called ChatGPT a ‘code red’ for Google’s search business. Google’s co-founders even returned to the company to work on its own similar tools.

One advantage Google still has is inclusion of various trust signals, from reviews to clear sources (so it’s important to fact-check whatever information ChatGPT and similar AI tools give you as the answer to a question, since the information is from a blend of unverifiable – at present – sources).

This all being said, AI writing tools are helpful for initiating research for a complex topic.

Ed’s note: Just today, a Now Novel member asked in our writing forums about the definition of ‘business analysis’ (as it had come up in a university course). Not having studied business, I asked ChatGPT to define the term. The result was surprisingly clear and thorough. Not to bore with the full answer, the tool broke the concept down into subtopics and explained several reasons why business analysis is conducted.

When you research historical or factual content for your story, .edu and other vetted educational sites and printed resources (that will have been through rounds of editing and fact-checking – hopefully – on the road to publication) are still the most reliable for accuracy.

Create writing prompts for your crit circle

The best AI for writing fiction is capable of churning out weird and wonderful writing prompts from a simple line.

For example, this prompt yielded fun story ideas:

‘5 ideas for funny stories about a mistake that happens due to using an AI writing tool’. The output:

A best-selling author uses an AI writing tool to write their next novel, but the AI accidentally incorporates the author’s personal diary entries into the book, causing a scandal. A company uses an AI writing tool to generate a press release, but the AI includes a line about the CEO’s secret love affair with a coworker, causing an office scandal. A student uses an AI writing tool to write an essay, but the AI includes a line about the student’s thoughts on cheating on the exam, getting the student expelled. A wedding planner uses an AI writing tool to write wedding vows, but the AI incorporates hilarious and inappropriate jokes, causing the couple and guests to burst out in laughter during the ceremony. A scientist uses an AI writing tool to write a research paper, but the AI includes a line about the scientist’s belief in UFOs and alien abductions, causing the scientist to be laughed at in the scientific community. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

What each prompt shows is the inherent foolishness of overreliance on a fallible tool without regard for nuance, purpose, intention, context, and audience – some of the issues editing addresses .

Try a genre-specific prompt, or else a prompt that includes X object, word, tone, mood or emotion.

Join the ‘Craft Challenge’ group on Now Novel where members set each other prompts to exercise our imaginations.

Find ideas for figurative language

Artificial intelligence for writing may not have the human sensibility (or the suffering, as Nick Cave puts it) to write the deepest poetry or least generic lines.

Yet it still may help you come up with metaphors and other figurative language you hadn’t considered.

Using AI writing tools to find figures of speech

Take, for example, the language device of ‘metonymy’, where a part stands for the whole (for example, the way we use ‘The White House’ to refer to the office of the President of the USA).

Finding descriptive, figurative language is sometimes hard. AI writing tools help brainstorm options.

For example, you could find devices to use in a scene set in parliament:

‘5 examples of metonymy where a part of a parliament stands for the whole’ yields:

“The House” is often used as a metonymy to refer to the entire parliament, specifically the lower chamber of the parliament. “The Crown” is often used as a metonymy to refer to the monarchy, which is the head of the state in a parliamentary system “The Bench” is often used as a metonymy to refer to the judges in a parliamentary system “The Press” is often used as a metonymy to refer to the media in a parliamentary system “The Lobby” is often used as a metonymy to refer to the public area where politicians meet with interest groups and constituents in a parliamentary system. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

From here, you could write a paragraph of narration using some or all of these terms:

The house was packed – after all, it was an election year. The opposition’s leader shook his fist while the press loitered outside the exits, gotcha questions at the ready. The lobby had been littered with paper cups and disappointment the day before when the president gave a feeble address about the energy crisis.

Similarly, you could find a simile (comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’) to describe the above scene. Asked for similes, ChatGPT gave somewhat overused options:

As slippery as an eel. As calculating as a fox. As smooth as silk. As sharp as a knife. Auto-generated ChatGPT output

Yet again – starting points. You could pick one and embellish or alter:

No doubt Ron Slant was upright at the lectern, shaking that fist, Fiona thought, judging by the cries from inside the house. That man thought his tongue was smooth as silk, but she was closer to the ground and knew that most of the working class (at least) heard it for what it was – cheap as polyester, shouting promises that would dwindle to a rustle of denial when they shrank in the wash.

Here, the fabric-related simile an AI writing tool supplied created the idea for a more extended fabric metaphor in the silk/polyester comparison (and the contrast between real/synthetic and valuable/cheap).

Do you use AI writing tools to help with creative writing (or do you plan to give them a try?) Share your thoughts in the comments (and get fully-fledged human writing support when you join Now Novel ).

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Related Posts:

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• What are good character traits? 7 helpful attributes
• Tags AI writing tools

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

10 replies on “Artificial intelligence for writing: 10 helpful AI uses”

Thanks for the article. I have only recently discovered these A I tools, but have had fun with them. In writing, I have found when I get totally stumped on a topic I could just ask the A I for an answer and, while it isn’t always something I would use, it at least gets me thinking in a new way.

Hi Billy, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience using these tools. Absolutely, I find it helps me get out of a habitual pattern of thought so I can reset or find another approach (without the AI doing much more than providing a provocation, ‘what about…’ sort of stimulus).

Hello, I listened to an NPR interview on AI (specifically ChatGPT), and it wasn’t nearly as helpful or interesting as this article. AI is intimidating because of the wealth of knowledge it draws from and the clarity of communication that many writers struggle with (me, for example… wait, mine?). However, you beautifully illustrate its limitations, as well as its potential.

In line with your “figure of speech”, I plan to use AI to help me with accents and giving my characters more distinct voices once I get through my first draft. For example, “Explain organic chemistry like Donald Duck.” Too bad my teachers never had AI assistance 😁

Hi Margriet, thank you for sharing that – I agree that there’s an interesting mix of limitations, unknowns and possibilities. That sounds a good plan. You reminded me of my favorite Donald Duck clip of all time, when cousin Gus comes to dinner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h93M0fO0gg

Very intriguing article, I have just recently looked into AI writing tools and it’s definitely a fun way to get some ideas.

Thanks for sharing your feedback, FreeFly. I’m glad you found this interesting.

I was stuck on a scene where every action I could come up with was cliched, so I’ve also asked for ten different things a character would do in a given situation. Many of the responses were cliche, but there were a few that were interesting and got me thinking.

Thanks for sharing that, Jonathan. It’s an interesting point, that with a large dataset, the ‘lowest common denominator’ effect (cliches aplenty) comes into play (style-by-majority). Thank goodness for human authors and their individuality, still.

Okay, now I have to load one of these programs to see what the fuss is all about. Damn delicious rabbit holes!!

Hi Loren, ChatGPT is free to use in its beta phase. It is a bit of a rabbit hole; I think good ol’ fashioned hard work the analogue way still has no real substitute when it comes to the arts.

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+8 Best AI Writing Tools for Creative Writing in 2024

• March 27, 2024 Updated

When it comes to creative writing, AI has taken a significant leap forward, introducing a suite of tools that seamlessly blend technology with the art of storytelling.

Several best AI writing tools for creative writing are now available in the market and are designed to offer writers a helping hand, sparking creativity, offering plot suggestions, character development insights, and stylistic advice.

These tools adapt to various writing styles and genres, making them versatile companions for authors, scriptwriters, and content creators. By leveraging these best AI writing tools , writers can break through creative blocks, polish their narratives, and bring their stories to life with greater depth and flair.

Best AI Writing Tools for Creative Writing in 2024 (Quick Overview)

1. Sudowrite: Best for Creative Content Generation and Storytelling

Learn more about this tool: Sudowrite Detailed Analysis

2. Copy.ai: Best for Narrative Writing and Scripts Creation

Learn more about this tool: Copy.ai Detailed Analysis

3. Jasper AI:   Best for Creative Writing in Multiple Languages

Learn more about this tool: Jasper AI Detailed Analysis

4. Rytr: Best for Enhancing Creative Narratives and Adding Stylistic Diversity

Learn more about this tool: Rytr Detailed Analysis

5. Simplified AI: Best for Long-Form Creative Writing

Learn more about this tool: Simplified AI Detailed Analysis

6. ChatGPT: Best for Creative Ideas Generation and Interactive Writing Assistance

Learn more about this tool: ChatGPT Detailed Analysis

7. Frase.io: Best for Writing SEO-Optimized Content Creation

Learn more about this tool: Frase.io Detailed Analysis

8. QuillBot: Best for Refining Prose and Simplifying Complex Writing

Learn more about this tool: QuillBot Detailed Analysis

9. WordAI: Best for Sentence and Phrase-Level Rewriting

Best AI Tools for Creative Writing in 2024: In Depth Analysis

Discover some of the best AI tools for creative writing, designed to enhance storytelling by offering innovative ideas and refining your narrative with cutting-edge technology tailored for writers.

1. Sudowrite – Best for Creative Content Generation and Storytelling

Sudowrite is an innovative tool in AI-assisted writing known best for creative content generation and storytelling. It is particularly celebrated for its robust features including narrative writing, character development, and creative exploration.

Sudowrite offers an array of content creation capabilities, such as content expansion, rewriting, summarizing, and brainstorming, tailored for a diverse range of writing needs. The platform’s pricing structure is flexible, with plans ranging from US$ 19 to $59 per month , making it accessible to a broad spectrum of users. A standout feature is the unlimited word count , which is especially beneficial for individuals with significant writing demands.

The service boasts support for multiple languages, increasing its appeal to global users. It integrates advanced language models like Claude 2 by Anthropic and various versions of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 from OpenAI , ensuring users receive top-notch writing assistance. Sudowrite allocates up to 2,000,000 credits monthly to users, aiding in substantial content creation projects.

Sudowrite’s Google Docs extension is a key enhancement, providing users with seamless access to its functionalities directly within Google Docs, thus boosting productivity in content creation. The Story Engine feature is designed to assist users in crafting engaging narrative content, guiding them from initial idea to outlining, chapter development, and writing thousands of words in their style. It helps in painting vivid descriptions without overwhelming the story, ensuring the narrative’s pacing is well-maintained.

Additionally, the Write feature acts like an advanced autocomplete, analyzing characters, tone, and plot arc to generate the next 300 words in the user’s voice, offering multiple options for direction. For sections that feel rushed, the Expand feature can enhance scene development, ensuring the story’s pacing remains consistent and engaging for readers.

Sudowrite provides a 3-day free trial and a 7-day refund policy to build trust and ensure user satisfaction. Moreover, the platform’s customer support available 24/7 via Call or Email  guarantees that assistance is readily available. While the specifics regarding the number of seats and templates are not mentioned, the extensive language support and user-centric features highlight Sudowrite’s role as a versatile tool for a wide range of writing tasks.

• Vast credit allowance supports extensive creative writing.
• Multilingual support broadens creative outreach.
• Simplifies character creation with intuitive suggestions.
• Story Engine sparks new ideas and narrative directions.
• High credit allotment might be excessive for casual writers.
• Character generator might limit organic character development.
• Story Engine ideas require further development for complex narratives.

Pricing and Free Trial

Sudowrite has three subscription tiers available for purchase:

• Hobby and Student Plan: Offered at US$ 19 per month or an annual fee of US$10.
• Professional Plan: This plan is available for $29 monthly or $22 on an annual basis.
• Max Plan: Can be subscribed to for $59 monthly or at $44 per year.

Sudowrite also provides a free trial lasting 3 days.

Refund Policy and Customer Support

• Sudowrite allows for full refunds within the initial 7 days following the purchase of any plan.
• Their customer service team is reachable 24/7 via Call or Email.

Read Our Sudowrite Review

2. Copy.ai – Best for Narrative Writing and Scripts Creation

Copy.ai is an AI-powered tool tailored for creative writing, providing a spectrum of features to assist users in crafting diverse types of creative content. The platform’s pricing is structured to cater to a broad range of users, with plans ranging from US$ 49 to $186 monthly , and it supports up to 20 users , making it suitable for both small teams and larger organizations.

In its chat mode, Copy.ai offers an unlimited word count , ideal for generating in-depth content for various creative writing endeavors. The platform supports over  95 languages , facilitating global communication and expanding the audience reach for your creative pieces.

Boasting more than  90 templates , Copy.ai aids the creative writing process, giving users a starting point for their work while allowing room for individual creativity. The platform adapts to different writing styles and tones, ensuring customization to meet specific audience preferences.

Copy.ai provides up to 3000 credits monthly for users, granting substantial capacity to utilize its diverse features for content creation. Although the platform doesn’t offer refunds on subscriptions, it includes a with limited features , permitting users to explore its functionality. For assistance, Copy.ai offers support , ensuring users can get help when needed.

An added feature is the ability to save custom prompts , enhancing personalization and efficiency in the writing process. This functionality is particularly beneficial for writers who often revisit specific themes or styles, enabling them to swiftly access their favorite prompts for future projects.

• Ideal for large teams with up to 20 user seats.
• Enables diverse narrative styles with unlimited brand voices.
• Facilitates multilingual creative writing with 95+ language support.
• Offers a wide array of templates for creative inspiration.
• Generous workflow credits accommodate extensive project demands.
• Might be overwhelming for individual writers or small projects.
• Balancing numerous brand voices can be complex.
• Language translation won’t always capture nuanced literary styles.
• The vast choice of templates can be daunting to navigate.
• High workflow credits are more than needed for solo writers.

Copy.ai provides several subscription options tailored to various user needs:

• Free Plan: Available at no cost, offering a selection of basic features.
• Pro Plan: Costs US$ 49 per month with monthly billing or $36 per month with annual billing.
• Team Plan: Available for $249 monthly or $186 per month when billed annually.
• Growth Plan: This plan is offered at $1,333 each month for monthly billing, and $1,000 monthly for annual commitments.
• Scale Plan: Priced at $4,000 per month when billed monthly, and $3,000 on a monthly basis for annual billing.

While Copy.ai doesn’t have a free trial period, they do provide a free plan with limited functionalities.

• Copy.ai’s offers 100% money-back guarantee for their subscription services.
• They provide round-the-clock customer 24/7 via E-mail.

Read Out Copy.ai Review

3. Jasper AI – Best for Creative Writing in Multiple Languages

Jasper AI is one of the most popular tools in AI-assisted writing and is considered best for creative writing in multiple languages. Users leverage Jasper to overcome writer’s block, refine their narrative, and produce captivating content that resonates with audiences, showcasing its authority in creative writing.

Jasper AI excels in creative writing, offering many prompts and the ability to tailor content with custom brand voice capabilities, complemented by useful browser extensions. Its subscription plans range from US$ 39 to $69 monthly , designed to accommodate 1 to 5 users . The platform provides over 50 templates to facilitate the creative writing process. While the specific word count is not detailed, Jasper AI’s support for over 30 languages enhances its utility for diverse linguistic needs.

Key functionalities include a plagiarism checker and a grammar check , essential for maintaining content’s originality and grammatical accuracy. Users can select from 1 to 3 brand voices , with an unlimited selection available in the Business plan, enabling nuanced and consistent brand messaging. Integration with various tools and websites expands Jasper AI’s applicability and enhances user experiences.

For creative writers, Jasper AI’s advanced artificial intelligence language model generates contextually relevant and high-quality content, ideal for crafting initial drafts or refining stories. Moreover, its SEO mode is a significant feature for writers aiming to enhance online visibility, ensuring that creative outputs are optimized for search engines, thus reaching a broader audience.

Another outstanding feature of Jasper AI is its integration capabilities with multiple tools and websites, including Chrome and Zapier , that significantly improve its utility and user experience.

Jasper AI offers a 7-day free trial , allowing potential users to test its capabilities. With a 100% money-back guarantee within 7 days and customer support 24/7 via Call or Email , the platform prioritizes user satisfaction and assistance.

The commitment to data security and privacy ensures that users’ data and creative content remain secure, establishing Jasper AI as a trusted tool for businesses focused on cybersecurity.

• Broad language support caters to a global audience.
• Multiple voices add variety to narrative styles.
• Strong data privacy safeguards creative work.
• Up to 5 seats enhance team collaboration.
• The AI model generates contextually relevant content.
• Multilingual support won’t cover all regional dialects.
• Limited number of voices compared to some competitors.
• Focus on data privacy might impact integration with some platforms.
• Maximum of 5 seats restrictive for larger teams.
• SEO focus might not align with purely artistic creative writing.

Jasper AI provides three distinct paid subscription options:

• Creator Plan: Available for $49 per month or an annual rate of US$ 39.
• Pro Plan: Costs $69 monthly or $59 for an annual subscription.
• Business Plan: Pricing details can be obtained by contacting Jasper’s sales department.

Jasper also includes a US$ 39 7-day free trial for users.

• Jasper AI has a refund policy of 100% money-back guarantee within 7 days of purchase.
• Their customer support is accessible 24/7 via Call or Email.

Read Our Jasper AI Review

4. Rytr – Best for Enhancing Creative Narratives and Adding Stylistic Diversity

Rytr stands out as a versatile AI writing assistant, positioning itself best for enhancing creative narratives and adding stylistic diversity. From brainstorming initial concepts to refining final drafts, Rytr offers an array of creative writing aids, making it an invaluable companion for storytellers, marketers, and anyone seeking to enhance their written creativity.

Rytr is a dynamic AI writing assistant tailored for creative writing, starting with a character generation limit of 10,000 , which can be extended to unlimited , catering to the varying demands of writers. This feature is especially valuable for authors who require a consistent flow of creative content, from short stories to comprehensive novels.

Offering over 40 templates , Rytr serves various creative writing needs, enabling authors to develop intricate narratives or craft engaging dialogues. This versatility makes it an indispensable tool for writers exploring various genres and styles.

With more than 20 pre-programmed brand voice options and the flexibility for customization based on user input , authors can precisely tailor the narrative tone to enhance the storytelling experience.

The AI Paragraph Generator in Rytr is a powerful feature for adding depth and coherence to creative works. It enables writers to insert relevant paragraphs, enriching the narrative and ensuring high-quality writing that resonates with readers.

Rytr’s AI-generated images feature offers a unique advantage, allowing writers to create visual elements that complement their text. This capability enhances reader engagement by providing a visual context to the narrative, making the stories more immersive and visually appealing.

Rytr ensures that all generated content is original by incorporating a plagiarism checker , helping authors maintain the authenticity of their creative works and avoid unintentional duplication.

Rytr’s pricing structure is designed to accommodate different needs and budgets, with a free plan and paid options like the Saver Plan at US$ 9 per month and the Unlimited Plan at $29 per month . While there is no free trial, the free plan allows for limited exploration of Rytr’s features.

It’s important to note that Rytr do not provide refunds , emphasizing the importance of selecting the right plan for individual needs.

• Large character limit supports extensive writing projects.
• Multilingual capabilities cater to a global audience.
• Variety of tones enriches narrative and character development.
• Plagiarism checker ensures content originality.
• AI-generated images add a visual element to stories.
• Character limits might still restrict very large projects.
• Some languages might lack the nuance of native writing.
• Choosing from numerous tones can be overwhelming initially.
• Plagiarism checkers might not catch all potential issues.
• Image generation limited to 100 per month.

Rytr presents three distinct subscription options:

• Free Plan: Available at no cost.
• Saver Plan: This plan costs US$ 9 per month, or an annual fee of $90, which includes two months free.
• Unlimited Plan: Offered at $29 monthly or a yearly rate of $290, also including two months free.

Although Rytr does not provide a free trial, they do offer a free plan with limited features.

• Rytr do not provide refunds for any of their paid subscriptions.
• For customer support, Rytr can be contacted at any time via email and chat support.

Read Our Rytr Review

5. Simplified AI – Best for Long-Form Creative Writing

Simplified AI has carved a niche in creative writing considered best for long-form creative writing. It’s designed to cater to the nuanced demands of creative writers, offering an array of tools that facilitate the creation of diverse, engaging, and original content.

Simplified enriches the creative writing process with its specialized features: the AI Rewriter , Long Form Writer , and a generator for persuasive bullet points . These tools are part of Simplified’s suite, with pricing ranging from US$ 18 to $49 per month , offering word count limits from 35,000 to 600000 words and catering to 1 to 10 users .

The AI Rewriter helps creative writers enhance their prose and innovate narratives, while the Long Form Writer is crucial for crafting novels or extensive articles. The persuasive bullet points generator aids in structuring story arcs, character motivations, and captivating summaries.

Supporting more than 20 languages , Simplified ensures that writers can connect with audiences across the globe. Essential tools like a plagiarism checker and grammar verification are integral to the platform, safeguarding the originality and fluency of the written content.

Writers can choose from 1 to 4 brand voices , enhancing the customization of their narrative style. Simplified generates high-quality, contextually appropriate creative content by utilizing cutting-edge AI technologies, including GPT-3 and GPT-4 .

Simplified also boasts unique features such as 1-Click WordPress Export and direct publishing to Shopify Blogs that enable writers to streamline sharing and distributing content. Additionally, Simplified AI Docs further enhance the writing experience, offering advanced tools for content creation.

While a free plan allows access to up to 2,000 words per month , it’s important to note that Simplified has a strict no-refund policy on paid subscriptions . Their customer support is available 24/7 via live chat  on their website to assist users in real time.

• Advanced AI models inspire groundbreaking creativity.
• A wide range of templates facilitates diverse writing projects.
• Multilingual support enhances global storytelling capabilities.
• Plagiarism checker ensures content authenticity.
• High word limit and multiple user seats support large projects.
• Advanced AI models require a learning curve.
• An overwhelming number of templates can be daunting.
• Limited to 20 languages, excluding some regional dialects.
• Dependence on plagiarism checkers might overlook nuanced copying.
• High word limit and user seats might exceed the needs of individual writers.

Simplified has three different subscription models for its users:

• Pro Plan: This plan is available for US$ 18 per month or $11 per month when paid annually.
• Business Plan: Priced at $49 monthly or $29 monthly with an annual payment.
• Agency Plan: Costs $199 each month or $119 per month if billed annually.

Simplified has a free plan with limited features. They also offer 14-day trials on each of their plans.

• Simplified has strict no-refund policy on any of their plans.
• You can contact Simplified’s customer support team 24/7 via live chat on their website.

Read Our Simplified Review

6. ChatGPT – Best for Creative Ideas Generation and Interactive Writing Assistance

ChatGPT by OpenAI, with its advanced conversational AI capabilities, positioned itself best for creative ideas generation and interactive writing assistance. Its ability to interact, understand, and assist writers in real-time stands out, making it an invaluable companion for various creative writing tasks.

ChatGPT is a dynamic AI tool, adept in creative writing, offering sophisticated assistance across a wide array of writing tasks. It provides a free starter plan and premium plans from US$ 20 to $30 per month , along with an enterprise option for customized pricing. The service is scalable and suitable for individual users to large organizations, with a capacity ranging from 1 to 2000 seats .

With an extensive library of over 2500 prompt templates , ChatGPT is instrumental in various stages of creative writing, from initial brainstorming to the detailed crafting of narratives. It supports more than 50 languages and is a versatile tool for writers worldwide, enabling the creation of content that resonates with diverse audiences.

While ChatGPT lacks a plagiarism checker , it upholds content quality through a grammar check feature . Its integration with 12 different platforms , including Microsoft and Chrome, enhances user accessibility and experience, providing flexibility and convenience in content creation.

In creative writing, ChatGPT shines by offering interactive writing assistance , engaging in dialogue to grasp context and nuances, and supplying suggestions, ideas, or complete paragraphs to enrich creative projects. This interaction is invaluable for brainstorming and ideation , with ChatGPT proposing plot twists, character arcs, and thematic elements, aiding writers in navigating creative blocks and enhancing productivity.

The tool’s ability to adapt responses to various writing styles and tones makes it a flexible asset for writers seeking to explore different narrative voices or pinpoint the perfect tone for their stories. Beyond content generation, ChatGPT assists in editing and proofreading , suggesting enhancements in grammar, sentence structure, and style, which helps refine drafts.

As ChatGPT learns from user interactions, it progressively adapts to the writer’s style and preferences , offering a personalized experience that evolves to meet each user’s specific creative needs and nuances.

Customer support is available via live chat , providing real-time assistance to users. However, it’s crucial to note that ChatGPT does not offer refunds on subscription , emphasizing the value of testing its features through the free plan before committing to a paid subscription.

• Interactive assistance enhances the writing process.
• Effective for brainstorming and overcoming creative blocks.
• Adapts to various styles and tones.
• Useful for editing and refining drafts.
• Learns and adapts to users’ writing style.
• Requires specific prompts to generate desired content.
• Creativity limited by the training data and algorithms.
• Style mimicry doesn’t always capture unique authorial voices.
• Editing suggestions might overlook deep literary nuances.
• Dependence on AI for creativity might limit skill development.

ChatGPT provides a range of plans to suit various user preferences:

• Free Plan: This is a no-cost option that includes basic features and a limited number of queries each month.
• Plus Plan: Available at a cost of $20 per month.
• Teams Plan: This plan is offered at $30 monthly or a reduced rate of US$ 20 per month with an annual subscription.
• Enterprise Plan: Designed for extensive business requirements, the Enterprise plan offers customizable pricing based on specific needs and usage. For more details, it’s recommended to contact OpenAI’s sales department.
• ChatGPT does not offer refunds for any of its subscription options.
• You can get in touch with their customer support available via live chat.

Read Our ChatGPT Review

7. Frase.io – Best for Writing SEO-Optimized Content Creation

Frase.io is a powerful ally in the creative writing sphere, particularly known for best writing SEO-optimized content creation. It is great for writers who strive to blend creativity with content efficiency, offering a suite of features that aid in generating and refining content seamlessly.

Frase.io stands out in the creative writing domain as a robust AI writing tool that significantly enhances the content creation and optimization process. Offering plans from US$ 15 to $115 , Frase.io caters to individual writers and small teams, providing up to 3 user seats with the option to add more at $25/mo per extra seat .

This tool is particularly beneficial for teams or collaborative projects, allowing seamless teamwork and offering the flexibility to expand as team needs grow. Frase.io’s capability to write and optimize more than 30 content pieces per month positions it as an ideal solution for prolific writers or busy content teams.

With support for content creation in 20 languages , Frase.io is versatile enough for a global user base. It integrates with key platforms like Google Docs and WordPress , enhancing its accessibility and utility. The platform’s AI Writer feature is designed to streamline content creation, enabling the production of creative pieces swiftly and effectively, which is invaluable for generating initial drafts or ideating content.

Moreover, Frase.io includes a content scoring feature to provide feedback on content quality and relevance, alongside a content editor that offers an intuitive writing environment with tools and suggestions to improve clarity and coherence. Additionally, the platform’s facility to share documents easily boosts collaboration, ensuring smooth communication and feedback exchange among team members or with clients.

Despite its extensive features, it’s worth noting that Frase.io offers a 5-day trial for $1 but does not provide refunds for canceled subscriptions. However, with comprehensive customer support available 24/7 email and live chat , users can readily receive assistance whenever needed, enhancing the overall user experience with Frase.io.

• Supports collaborative projects with multiple user seats.
• Accommodates high-volume content creation and optimization.
• Simplifies initial content generation with AI Writer.
• Content scoring provides valuable feedback for improvement.
• Content editor enhances writing clarity and coherence.
• Additional user seats incur extra costs.
• Focus on content optimization might overlook deep creative elements.
• AI-generated content might require further personalization.
• Content scoring will not align with all creative styles.
• Document sharing requires careful management to maintain version control.

Frase provides three different subscription plans:

• Solo Plan: Priced at US$ 15/month when billed monthly and $12/month when billed annually.
• Basic Plan: Priced at $45/month when billed monthly and $38/month when billed annually.
• Team Plan: Priced at $115/month when billed monthly and $97/month when billed annually.

Frase offers a 5-day free trial for $1.

• Frase.io does not offer refunds on their subscription plans.
• Frase.io customer service team available via 24/7 email and live chat.

Read Our Frase.io Review

8. QuillBot – Best for Refining Prose and Simplifying Complex Writing

QuillBot, a versatile and innovative AI writing tool, positioned itself best for refining prose and simplifying complex writing. It offers unique features that assist writers in improving their content quality, guaranteeing originality, and streamlining intricate writing tasks. Its ability to paraphrase and summarize text makes it valuable for writers seeking fresh ways to express their ideas.

Quillbot is an AI writing tool engineered to enhance creative writing through sophisticated paraphrasing, summarization, and tone analysis tools. It presents a variety of plans, from a complimentary tier to a premium offering at US$ 9.95 per month , supporting over 30 languages and providing vital tools like plagiarism and grammar checks.

A notable feature is the unlimited word count in Quillbot’s premium paraphrasing tool, facilitating extensive text alterations. The service includes a summarizer capable of handling up to 6000 words , perfect for distilling extensive narratives into concise summaries. The Synonym Slider adjusts paraphrasing intensity, aiding in fine-tuning tone and style.

Additionally, the platform’s plagiarism checker permits up to 100 pages per month , crucial for verifying the uniqueness of creative content. Insights on tone and suggested rewrites help refine the clarity and effectiveness of communication.

While Quillbot lacks a free trial, it provides a free plan with basic features and a 100% Money-Back Guarantee  within the first three days after purchasing a premium plan. Email-based customer support is available, offering timely assistance to users.

For creative writers, Quillbot features Unlimited Custom and 8 Predefined Modes , enabling varied writing style explorations and tone adjustments. The Unlimited Words feature in the Paraphrase tool is particularly useful for extensive text revisions or trying out different expressions in drafts.

Faster Processing Speed is a key advantage, delivering immediate paraphrasing suggestions to keep the writing flow uninterrupted, especially crucial for tight deadlines. The Plagiarism Checker is indispensable for maintaining content originality, offering up to 100 pages per month .

The Summarizer’s ability to create unique summaries with custom instructions provides a tailored approach to condensing text, ensuring summaries are precise and relevant, capturing the essence of more extensive works effectively.

• Diverse writing modes enhance narrative style and voice experimentation.
• Unlimited paraphrasing assists extensive text reworking.
• Fast processing ensures efficient writing and editing.
• Plagiarism checker safeguards against content duplication.
• Summarizer is ideal for distilling long creative pieces.
• Multiple modes might initially overwhelm new users.
• Heavy reliance on paraphrasing might limit organic writing development.
• The plagiarism checker being limited to 100 pages might be restrictive for some.
• Summarizer’s word limit won’t work well with very long texts.
• Custom summaries require clear instructions for best results.

QuillBot provides two different subscription models:

• Free Version: Available at no charge, though it includes only a basic set of features.
• Premium Plan: This plan has three pricing options:
• Monthly Subscription: US$ 9.95 each month.
• Semi-Annual Subscription: Billed every six months at $6.66 per month.
• Annual Subscription: Billed yearly at $4.17 per month.

QuillBot does not offer a trial period, but users can access a limited-feature free version.

• QuillBot allows for a complete refund within the first 3 days after purchasing the premium plan.
• For assistance, customers can reach out to QuillBot’s support team via Email/Message. The team is available 24/7.

9. WordAI – Best for S entence and Phrase-Level Rewriting

WordAI is renowned in the creative writing community, known best for sentence and phrase-level rewriting. It stands out for its ability to produce human-like quality content, making it a valuable asset for writers who seek to refine their narratives and infuse their writing with a more polished and natural flow.

WordAI is a powerful tool tailored for complete sentence restructuring, enhancing text quality and clarity, and offering diverse expression in writing. With pricing options ranging from $57 per month to yearly rates at US$ 27 per month  and a custom pricing model for enterprise solutions, WordAI caters to a wide array of users.

This tool supports a word count limit of 5000 words per article , accommodating extensive rewriting needs, which is particularly beneficial for authors and content creators dealing with large volumes of text. While the number of seats and templates are not specified, WordAI supports 3 languages: French, Spanish, and Italian , broadening its usability across different linguistic contexts.

WordAI is equipped with advanced machine learning models and integrates with Article Forge , enhancing its content creation capabilities. It emphasizes 100% data security , ensuring user data protection. Users can explore WordAI’s features with a 3-day trial and benefit from customer support available through the website.

The tool provides up to 3000000 rewrites per month and allows the generation of 250,000 words that pass AI detection while ensuring that the content maintains a natural and human-like quality.

Sentence and phrase-level rewriting capabilities enable precise editing, enhancing narrative details for improved readability and flow. Additionally, API access facilitates integration with other tools like Article Forge , streamlining the content creation process for users.

WordAI’s 30-day money-back guarantee assures users, but it’s contingent on creating less than 10 articles , ensuring a risk-free experience for new users to test the platform’s capabilities.

• High rewrite word limit supports large projects.
• AI detection words maintain natural writing quality.
• Produces content with human-like quality, crucial for storytelling.
• Detailed rewriting at the sentence and phrase level.
• API access for seamless integration with other tools.
• Such a high word limit isn’t necessary for smaller projects.
• Risk of over-reliance on AI for content generation.
• The “human-like” writing still requires manual fine-tuning.
• API integration might be complex for less tech-savvy users.
• Focus on rewriting might limit original content creation.

WordAI offers three subscription options:

• Starter Plan: This plan costs US$ 27 per month, or an annual fee of $9 per month.
• Power Plan: This plan costs $57 per month, or an annual fee of $27 per month.
• Enterprise Plan: Contact WordAI’s sales team for more information.

WordAI offers a 3-day free trial for each of their subscription plans.

• WordAI offers a 30-day moneyback guarantee as long as you use the platform to create less than 10 articles.
• You can get in touch with their customer support via E-mail.

How to Choose the Right AI Writing Tool for Creative Writing

Choosing the right AI writing tool is pivotal in enhancing your creative writing journey. Here are ten detailed factors to consider:

The pricing for AI creative writing tools spans from free to premium, with monthly fees ranging from $9 to $186, accommodating various user budgets while providing diverse functionalities to support creative tasks.

Creative writing AI tools offer a range of word count allowances, from 2000 to unlimited monthly usage, meeting the needs of various writing volumes, from short stories to extensive manuscripts.

Number of Seats

These tools are scalable, catering to individual writers or collaborative teams of up to 2000 members, facilitating solo projects or group collaborations in creative writing.

With a broad spectrum of templates ranging from 400 to 2500+, many AI writing tools provide structured guidance for various creative writing aspects, supporting everything from plot outlining to character development. Not only just this, but some even provide a custom template creation option.

Languages Supported

AI tools for creative writing support a wide linguistic range, from 3 to over 95 languages, accommodating a global user base and enabling multicultural and multilingual storytelling.

Plagiarism Check

To ensure content originality, many AI tools include plagiarism-checking features, which are vital for maintaining authenticity and integrity in creative compositions.

Grammar Check

Grammar checking is a standard feature across nearly all AI creative writing tools, ensuring that the creativity is not only innovative but also linguistically polished.

Brand Voice

Many tools offer flexibility in brand voice, ranging from single to customizable options, allowing writers to maintain a consistent tone and style tailored to their narrative needs.

Language Model

Equipped with advanced language models like GPT-4 and NLP , AI tools provide sophisticated assistance, enriching creative writing with nuanced and contextually aware content generation.

Integration

Integration capabilities vary, with some AI writing tools offering extensive connectivity with 12+ platforms, enhancing the writing process with streamlined workflows and data exchange.

Data Security

Emphasizing data protection, almost all the AI tools for creative writing implement robust security measures to safeguard users’ creative content and the personal information of their subscribers.

Most tools offer a free trial or version, allowing writers to evaluate the tool’s fit for their creative process and ensuring user satisfaction before purchase.

Customer Support

Support is readily available through email, with some tools extending support via live chat and dedicated website assistance, ensuring users have access to timely help.

Refund Policy

While many tools do not offer refunds, some provide a 100% money-back guarantee, offering a risk-free trial period for users to assess the tool’s value.

Refund Coverage Days

The refund policy timeframe varies, with coverage ranging from 3 to 30 days, offering users a grace period to decide on the tool’s suitability for their creative needs.

How AI Writing Tools Enhance Creative Writing

AI writing tools have brought a paradigm shift in creative writing. These tools streamline the writing process and open new avenues for creativity.

Here are six detailed ways in which the best AI tools for creative writing can improve your writing process and ignite creativity :

Overcoming Writer’s Block

AI writing tools are particularly effective in breaking through writer’s block. They can kickstart the creative process by suggesting ideas, prompts, and even complete sentences.

This is especially valuable when a writer struggles to find the right words. These suggestions can spark new ideas, leading to a flow of creativity.

Expanding Creative Horizons

These tools help writers explore themes and narratives they might not have considered. By offering diverse suggestions and perspectives, AI tools push writers beyond their usual boundaries. This exposure to a wider range of ideas and styles can enrich a writer’s own creative expression and lead to more innovative and varied writing.

Enhancing Language and Style

AI tools can greatly improve the language and stylistic elements of writing. They can suggest more vivid, precise vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and even stylistic flourishes that align with the writer’s voice. This results in more engaging and polished writing, appealing to a wider audience.

Time-Efficient Drafting

These tools streamline the drafting process. By providing suggestions for content development and structure, they can significantly reduce the time it takes to produce a first draft. This efficiency allows writers to focus more on refining and enhancing their work rather than getting bogged down in initial creation.

Personalized Writing Assistance

Modern AI writing tools can adapt to an individual writer’s style and preferences, offering personalized assistance. This can include tailored feedback on improving coherence, consistency, and overall narrative flow. Such personalized support can greatly enhance a writer’s technique and output quality.

Consistent Creative Output

Consistency is key in writing, and AI tools help maintain a steady creative output. They can assist in regular content generation, aiding writers in sustaining their creative momentum and productivity. This is particularly beneficial for those working on long-term projects or managing tight deadlines.

The Future of Creative Writing with AI

Integrating the best AI tools for creative writing is not just a passing trend; it’s a transformative shift reshaping the landscape of literary creativity. Let’s explore seven key aspects that highlight the future of creative writing influenced by AI tools:

Enhanced Collaborative Writing

AI tools are poised to facilitate more collaborative writing experiences. Writers from around the world can work together seamlessly, with AI providing real-time suggestions and edits. This collaboration can lead to more diverse and globally influenced writing styles, enriching the literary world.

Democratization of Writing Skills

AI writing tools are making high-quality writing skills more accessible. They provide guidance and suggestions that were traditionally available only through formal education or years of experience. This democratization means a broader range of voices and stories can be heard, fostering greater diversity in literature.

Personalized Storytelling Experiences

The future will see AI tools offering personalized storytelling experiences to readers. AI can adapt narratives based on reader preferences or even create interactive stories where readers’ choices influence the plot. This level of personalization will revolutionize how stories are experienced.

Real-Time Language Evolution

AI tools will continue to evolve with the ever-changing landscape of language, incorporating slang, new phrases, and evolving grammar rules. This real-time evolution will ensure that creative writing remains relevant and resonates with contemporary audiences.

Enhanced Creative Efficiency

With AI assistance, writers will be able to produce work more efficiently without compromising quality. AI’s ability to provide quick suggestions, plot ideas, and character development aids will significantly reduce the time taken from concept to publication.

Ethical and Emotional AI Guidance

Future AI writing tools might offer ethical guidance and emotional intelligence. They could help writers understand the potential impact of their stories, navigate sensitive topics responsibly, and connect more deeply with readers’ emotions.

Exploration of New Genres and Formats

AI will enable the exploration of new genres and formats in creative writing. With AI’s capacity to process and analyze vast amounts of data, writers can experiment with blending genres or creating entirely new ones, leading to innovative and uncharted literary territories.

Want to Read More? Explore Best AI Writing Tools Guides!

Elevate your writing game with my handpicked AI writing tools guides.

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Are AI Writing Tools Suitable for All Genres of Creative Writing?

Can writers maintain their unique style using ai tools, how do ai writing tools enhance creativity, will ai replace creative writers.

There is no doubt that AI writing tools are invaluable resources that simplify and enhance the writing process. They support writers by providing ideas, improving language, and ensuring clarity and coherence in their work. These tools are essential for efficiently producing high-quality, imaginative content.

In this guide, I have dived into the details of the best AI writing tools for creative writing, offering insights into their features, strengths, and how they can serve your writing needs. After reading this, you’ll be well-equipped to decide which tool aligns best with your creative objectives and workflow preferences.

Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.

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Artificial Intelligence In Creative Writing : A Curse Or A Blessing For Authors?

From recommending us on what to read, machines are now capable of writing poetry, screenplays and even stories. Computers have moved from only helping their human creator to become creative entities themselves using Artificial Intelligence.

To improve machine’s natural language, Google is also working with Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts. First step was to make software understand the variances of human language. For this purpose, researchers have introduced more than 11000 novels to their artificial intelligence software. After achievement of this goal, they gave it two sentences – a starting and a closing sentence – from which the machine wrote several poems.

Once Artificial Intelligence software have all the understanding of language, it can be well coupled with the ability to synthesis. Then AI can write in appealing ways and can come up with plots and other things that can be quite intriguing. Artificial Intelligence has a big advantage over the human author that it can be very good at keeping track of the characters. It can keep perfect track of all the details and can check the story at all levels by machine to prevent the potential flaws in plot. Anyway, If you have any question related to writing and need to find an expert you may appeal to writers from ThesisGeek . Because it is necessary to help someone control and edit some mistakes.

But AI also has the potential to be abused. It can be used to keep authors out of the writing process or replace authors altogether. For this reason, AI detection systems are important.

The Future of Life Institute’s AI Impacts project conducted a survey recently. It predicts that artificial intelligence will be capable of writing a best-seller by 2050. But you don’t need to wait that long to read literature written by software. Here are the few instances where artificial intelligence has already made it to creative writing.

A Poetry Collection by AI

Cheers Publishing, the Chinese publishing company, has gone a step further last year. They published the first-ever poetry collection, Sunshine Misses Windows, written by an AI named XiaoIce (literally: Microsoft Little Ice). They claimed that it was the first book written by an Artificial Intelligence in human history. In 2760 hours, XiaoIce wrote more than 10000 poems. From them they selected only 139 for the collection titled “Sunshine Misses Windows”. The book has 10 chapters highlighting human emotions like loneliness, joy or anticipation. Here is one of XiaoIce’s poems, if you want to judge for yourself:

A Machine Written Novel

In Japan, The Nikkei Hoshi Shinichi Literary Award allows non-human authors to present their work. In 2016, award committee received 1450 application, out of which 11 were partially written by an AI program. Out of these 11, “The Day a Computer Writes a Novel” made it past the first round of the contest.

Here is an excerpt from that novel,

A professor at Future University Hakodate, Hitoshi Matsubara, led a team that created this literary AI program. The team acted as a guide to the AI in deciding things like the plot and gender of the characters.

A Machine Screenwriter Named Benjamin

AI has also made it to the world of movies, not just as part of the plot, but as a screenwriter. Scientist Ross Goodwin with his team has created an AI program called Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) which renamed itself Benjamin. This screenwriting software has already released its first debut short film Sunspring. The filmmaker Oscar Sharp directed it. Its creators decided to present it at Sci-Fi London, and it was selected as one of the 10 best short films.

According to you Is Artificial Intelligence in Creative Writing (Only if it happens) a Curse or a Blessing? As an Author (published or a budding) How do you see it, an Opportunity or a Drawback?  Share your views and thoughts on this.

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AI’s will never “understand” — but they will mimic understanding. Their breadth and depth will so astounding that they will be able to generate the semblance of emotional evocation. But they will never feel love or hate or loss or triumph.

The creation of content by AI is, I feel, a waste of time and resources. What an ALANN should be doing it replacing the literary agents and acquisition editors of publishers. (Automated Literary Analytic Neural Network) ALANN should consume stories and use its data banks to critique work based on what it has compiled.

i agree with anonymole! Lol! yes indeed! Editors & publishing houses no longer needed! (Yes!) 😀 Something i would have never thought of!

What do i think about AI authors? Fascinating and a problem.

A problem, in that further mistreatment of talented people and fascinating for a season.

Also , AI Ghostwriters? People passing it off as their own work?

No AI will be able to compete with the author genuises i love- for the deepth & breadth, no AI can truly comprehend, & there are many who are popular & talentless.

There are many utterly awesome literary geniuses, who have been rejected, never published.

The AI addition, may make books too cheap to make a living on?

It is not worth whatever benefit, for the possible downside is too great. Greater than the upside.

As a writer, I dread this day. I’ll be as obsolete as rabbit ear antennas. Then again, what if they can create work similar to what I already like. I won’t have to wait around for that magical book to come along.

There are new AI startups using similar tech to break down a screenplay/novel into analytics in hope to predict it will be successful. My concern is that this will only add to the formulaic trash that the industry spits out. On the other hand, if it is structured in the right way, can it give a voice to writers that would not have been noticed? And not to be too critical, but is there a reason they shouldn’t be noticed? Are they lacking creativity and originality because they are a slave to these formulas?

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Creative Writing with an AI-Powered Writing Assistant: Perspectives from Professional Writers

Recent developments in natural language generation (NLG) using neural language models have brought us closer than ever to the goal of building AI-powered creative writing tools. However, most prior work on human-AI collaboration in the creative writing domain has evaluated new systems with amateur writers, typically in contrived user studies of limited scope. In this work, we commissioned 13 professional, published writers from a diverse set of creative writing backgrounds to craft stories using Wordcraft, a text editor with built-in AI-powered writing assistance tools. Using interviews and participant journals, we discuss the potential of NLG to have significant impact in the creative writing domain–especially with respect to brainstorming, generation of story details, world-building, and research assistance. Experienced writers, more so than amateurs, typically have well-developed systems and methodologies for writing, as well as distinctive voices and target audiences. Our work highlights the challenges in building for these writers; NLG technologies struggle to preserve style and authorial voice, and they lack deep understanding of story contents. In order for AI-powered writing assistants to realize their full potential, it is essential that they take into account the diverse goals and expertise of human writers.

Daphne Ippolito

Andy Coenen

Sehmon Burnam

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University of Bridgeport News

AI with Integrity — Essential Strategies for Writing and Researching in the AI Era

The world of higher education is rapidly evolving, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly prominent role in writing and research. This technology, once confined to the realm of science fiction, is now gathering and refining insights to hone human-like intelligence. You needn’t consult the   to hear the truth of this unfolding tale, either — instead, just ask the chatbots.

While AI chatbots offer undeniable ease and efficiency, their emergence raises crucial questions about ethical practices and academic integrity. To examine this issue, we’ll explore the exciting yet complex terrain of writing and researching with AI.

Introducing your new assistant

Savvy and sophisticated, chatbots can quickly analyze source material, extract essential information, and creatively express ideas. While these advancements are impressive, most experts agree that AI is not a replacement for the writer but a means for refining and enriching your writing process.

Acting as an astute and speedy sidekick, AI is a valuable resource during the drafting process. However, relying on these tools to produce final results is ill-advised. Because many of these platforms rely on pulling information and content that already exists via search engines, the responsibility of fact-checking, editing, and ensuring the accuracy and originality of the content ultimately rests with you — the hero of this virtual adventure. Additionally, using these tools necessitates careful oversight to ensure the final output aligns with your morals and intentions.

Keep an open mind as we move beyond the black-and-white and acknowledge the nuanced reality of AI’s impact. By equipping yourself with essential strategies, you can harness the power of AI while upholding the core values of academic integrity.

It’s all about input

Ever heard the phrase, “You get what you give?” Believe it or not, AI operates on the same sentiment.

Although chatbots are powerful assistants, their efficacy relies heavily on your ability to communicate your needs effectively. Specific and detailed instructions are paramount. The more precise you are about your expectations, the better these cyber tools will satisfy your needs. Unclear prompts can lead to unintended outcomes, highlighting the importance of your human guidance.

Consider CREATE

Crafting the perfect input can seem intimidating. But don’t sweat it. Creativity scholar and has a strategy for generating prompts that reliably yield high-quality results.

Poignant and memorable, Birss’ framework uses the acronym CREATE .

Ready? Let’s put it all together.

You’re a second-semester junior at University of Bridgeport, where you study Sport Management. You’re writing a term paper about ethics in Sport Management, in which you plan to explore case studies focusing on management practices in women’s basketball. Refer to the WBCA Code of Ethics and other similar sources. Your thesis should focus on strategies for promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in professional athletics. Your response should be approximately 1500 words in length. Include an introduction and conclusion. Break up the main ideas using subheadings. Avoid using bulleted or numbered lists. Include works cited to ensure all sources are credited.

By following Birss’ formula, you can make the most of your AI collaboration.

Need a hand completing that research paper? Academic help doesn’t only come in the shape of a chatbot. At the Heckman Center , you can receive comprehensive 1:1 support. From academic advising to virtual and in-person tutoring options, you can address your learning needs. Learn more about how University of Bridgeport can support your personal and professional success today!

The copy-paste consequence.

If you’ve skillfully constructed the perfect prompt, you may be awed by the enhanced quality of your chatbot buddy’s response. Naturally, your amazement may give way to dubious moral doubt.

Can’t I hand in my AI-written essay as is?

After all, I wrote the input, right?

Is it really wrong to copy work written by a robot?

Our best advice? Resist the temptation! While clicking copy and paste may only take seconds, this shortcut gives way to long-lasting consequences. The dangers of relying solely on AI output include plagiarism (both intentional and unintentional), false information, perpetuating biases, and more.

Instead of taking the copy-paste shortcut, consider a chatbot’s output as a starting point for your analysis and critical thinking. This middle-ground bridges the best things about AI-generated content with the best things about human-written work — incorporating novel ideas and concepts while applying human reasoning and tone to create original, thought-provoking, and attention-grabbing content.

Avoiding plagiarism is imperative to maintaining academic integrity. Not only is plagiarism theft, but it can have dire consequences on your personal and professional future. As a college student, the costs of copying others’ work can include failing an assignment or course, being put on academic probation, getting suspended, or even being expelled. Furthermore, a history of plagiarism can be noted on your transcript, impacting the educational and professional opportunities you can enjoy in the future.

When it comes to AI-generated content, determining whether words or ideas are stolen can be complicated. That’s why employing a multi-pronged approach to checking and combatting potential plagiarism is crucial. While your best bet is to ensure you’re synthesizing the chatbot’s output in your own words (and incorporating your unique thoughts and ideas in the process), we recommend using plagiarism detection tools to compare your text with existing materials . Furthermore, by directing a chatbot to use only sources you’ve provided, you can better safeguard against unintentional plagiarism.

Remember, creating original content is the responsibility of you — the human writer.

Addressing inaccuracies

The internet contains an infinite web of knowledge. So, if a computer wrote it, it must be true. Right?

AI tools are powerful information processors. However, remember that the information these tools provide comes from people who may be incorrect or misinformed. Moreover, these tools are still evolving and can have trouble differentiating legitimate, up-to-date, and fact-checked information from fake news. As a result, chatbots can be potential culprits for amplifying misinformation and spreading disproven facts.

Even if a fact provided by a chatbot sounds true, avoid accepting AI-generated content at face value. There are a few strategies for fact-checking chatbots that you can utilize. For one thing, you can ask the AI to fact-check itself. While this may seem redundant and certainly isn’t foolproof, AI has the capacity to recognize and correct its errors. Regardless of whether you utilize this tip, still do your legwork to cross-reference claims and critically evaluate the information presented. Remember, the ultimate responsibility for truthfulness lies with you. Always supplement AI’s work with your own research and human judgment.

Let’s chat about bias

AI algorithms learn from the data and information used to train them, which can be a double-edged sword. Although they absorb helpful patterns and endless information, chatbots lack the cultural and social awareness to identify harmful biases that the information they provide might be perpetuating. Consequently, their outputs can inadvertently promote skewed perspectives around race, gender, disability, and other diverse attributes. When you employ AI tools for research and writing, you must remain alert to the possibility of bias by evaluating the output for potential issues around representation, inclusivity, equity, and fairness.

For example, consider the Microsoft Copilot coding assistant . Although its launch initially presented great promise, users quickly noted that problematic biases were notably present in Copilot’s output. Like other AI algorithms, Copilot’s software was trained using large datasets adopted from publicly available repositories. While the humans designing Copilot had positive intentions, this data Copilot inevitably included various human-written material that mirrored societal prejudices.

In addressing this issue, it’s critical to remember that chatbots thrive on human feedback . Without users and developers with the awareness to identify these issues, AI software and its engineers can’t address and correct harmful biases.

Quality considerations

At the end of the day, AI-generated content — while impressive — sometimes misses that magical spark that only human creativity can ignite. Whether you’re an aspiring author or are essay-avoidant, chances are your words flow smoother than a chatbot’s. Embrace the quirks and charms of human expression because, let’s face it, nothing quite beats the authenticity and vibrancy of your voice on the page.

Improving the outcome

We’ve said it before — think of AI as your assistant, not your replacement. So, what are some things you can ask your sidekick to do that will make your writing even better?

You needn’t ask a chatbot to write for you to still benefit from these incredible tools. Here are a few alternative ways you can use AI to improve your writing.

• Request a review: You can ask AI to assess the writing you’ve created based on specific guidelines. For example, you can ask your preferred chatbot to identify important concepts or ideas you might have overlooked. You can request that these tools “grade” your writing based on a scale you provide — helping you understand which parts may need revisions.
• Seek suggestions: Need some recommendations for where to gather research? Rather than asking AI to do these things for you, consider asking chatbots for suggestions as to where you can find this information yourself.
• Brainstorm big ideas: If you’re stuck on a writing project — whether it be creative or academic — you can consult a chatbot for a brainstorming session. Bounce ideas back and forth with the bot. Doing so can help ignite your creativity and lead you to explore ideas that may not have otherwise occurred to you.

Let’s talk transparency

When all is said and done, w hether it’s “okay” to write and research with AI tools relies on the guidelines provided by your professors. If existing policies attest that you cannot use a chatbot to complete a task, you are responsible for holding up your end of the bargain.

Moreover, when and if you use AI assistance, you must be transparent about it. Remember — academic integrity is paramount from the classroom to your career. Acknowledging your use of AI systems demonstrates honesty. In the same way that quoting and citing human sources builds trust between writers and readers, attributing assistance from automated writing tools signals your capacity to give intellectual and creative credit where it’s due — establishing your academic honesty and professional credibility while helping advance a climate of fair and ethical AI adoption.

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The Dearth of the Author in AI-Supported Writing

We diagnose and briefly discuss the dearth of the author : a condition that arises when AI-based creativity support tools for writing allow users to produce large amounts of text without making a commensurate number of creative decisions, resulting in output that is sparse in expressive intent. We argue that the dearth of the author helps to explain a number of recurring difficulties and anxieties around AI-based writing support tools, but that it also suggests an ambitious new goal for AI-based CSTs.

1. The Dearth of the Author

What’s the point of writing? Sometimes we write to learn, or write to think, or write for solitary enjoyment—but when the process of writing results in a piece of writing that’s meant to be shared and read by others, what is this piece of writing for ? We assert that in most cases, a piece of writing is meant primarily to convey its author’s expressive intent : to communicate information, invoke feelings, or otherwise express to the reader a set of ideas and sentiments that the author intends to share. Indeed, this assumption forms the basis of the expressive communication framework  (Louie et al . , 2022 ) that has been used to evaluate AI-based creativity support tools (CSTs)  (Shneiderman, 2007 ; Frich et al . , 2019 ; Chung et al . , 2021 ) in the past.

The process of writing can thus be viewed as a process of decision-making by the author. Authors of fiction must decide on character names and personalities and appearances, on details of setting and background, on the balance between action and introspection, on moment-to-moment emotional tone; authors of argumentative essays must decide on the points they want to argue, on the evidence they want to use in support of each point, on the order in which to introduce this evidence; authors in general must decide on what words they want to use in what places to get their ideas across. A piece of writing that contains fifteen hundred words can be thought of as the result of at least fifteen hundred decisions: perhaps a bit fewer when some of these words are “forced choices” that could not be exchanged for another due to rules of grammar, but usually many more due to the need for decisions beyond simple word choices in composing any useful or interesting piece.

Historically, an author could not compose a substantive piece of writing without making the vast majority of these decisions directly. 1 1 1 Though some words might be drawn verbatim from quotations, and in rare cases some might be chosen via mechanistic, aleatoric, or automatic writing processes, such as those adopted by the Oulipo movement  (Montfort and Wardrip-Fruin, 2003 ) . Thus the whole of every piece of writing could be taken as reflecting its author’s intent: the relationship between the length of a written piece and the number of decisions that its author had to make was relatively fixed, and an author could not lengthen a piece of writing without deciding what specific words to add.

But we suddenly find that this is no longer the case. In particular, when authors use AI-based CSTs to expand a small amount of input text (such as a one-sentence instruction) to a large amount of output text (such as a complete written story or essay), they delegate many of the creative decisions involved in producing the larger output to the CST—resulting in a piece of writing with an unusually low ratio of human decision-making to output length. In other words, the expressive intent of the author is underspecified relative to the amount of text that is generated, and the resulting piece of writing is unusually sparse in terms of expressive intent per word.

We refer to this unusual situation as the dearth of the author : the naïvely AI-augmented author is not absent or dead, but their intent is stretched so thinly over their writing that they may feel barely present. In lieu of authorial intent, creative decisions are made by the CST to which the author has delegated portions of the writing process; simple LLM-based CSTs like ChatGPT make these decisions by approximating highly probable choices that a certain set of raters might also score well  (Ouyang et al . , 2022 ) , while other CSTs lean on knowledge encoded in handcrafted rulesets  (Kreminski et al . , 2022 ) , in large human-constructed databases of common-sense knowledge  (Gero and Chilton, 2019 ) , or in more specialized corpuses of text  (Mirowski et al . , 2023 ) . Across the full range of AI-based CSTs for writing  (Lee et al . , 2024 ) , the greater the discrepancy between the size of a minimum viable user input and the size of the output piece of writing, the more the naïve user’s results tend to exhibit the dearth.

2. Some Implications of the Dearth

Despite its simplicity, the dearth of the author helps to explain many of the disparate anxieties and difficulties around AI-based writing assistants. We briefly discuss a few of its implications here.

Homogenization of writing. Several recent studies of AI-based CSTs have found either direct  (Arnold et al . , 2020 ; Padmakumar and He, 2023 ; Doshi and Hauser, 2023 ; Anderson et al . , 2024 ) or indirect  (Jakesch et al . , 2023 ; Bhat et al . , 2023 ) evidence that these tools can exert a homogenizing effect on the creative outputs produced by different users: in other words, different users of the same CST may produce more similar outputs than they would without the CST. Homogenization effects can be explained by authors’ delegation of creative decision-making to a tool that makes similar creative decisions in similar usage scenarios, with greater degrees of homogenization resulting from tools that make a greater proportion of creative decisions directly.

Limited feelings of ownership. Recent studies have also found that users of AI-based CSTs for writing tend to experience a limited sense of ownership of or responsibility for the outputs of their interaction with the CST  (Lee et al . , 2022 ; Draxler et al . , 2024 ) . This is similarly explained by the delegation of creative decisions to the CST: delegating a greater proportion of creative decisions to the CST seems likely to result in a commensurately lower feeling of ownership toward the resulting text, as seen both in Draxler et al .   (Draxler et al . , 2024 ) and in the stronger sense of ownership reported by users of a narrower CST  (Kreminski et al . , 2022 ) .

Rhetorical confusion. The typical outputs of AI-supported creative processes are often referred to as “soulless”. Simultaneously, users who build highly intentful creative processes around AI-based CSTs—sometimes considering and discarding many dozens of AI outputs before accepting one as complete  (Chang et al . , 2023 ) —are perplexed by these assertions. The dearth of the author helps explain both phenomena. The term “soullessness” reflects the sparseness of intent in the outputs that are easiest to create with many AI-based tools, and that therefore dominate most non-enthusiasts’ impressions; meanwhile, the high-intent nature of some AI artists’ processes may not be immediately apparent to onlookers, because AI tools permit the creation of comparably sized outputs from much smaller specifications of intent.

Greater impacts on inexperienced writers. Experienced writers tend to have an ear for evocative language and a strong aversion to cliché, both of which are components of a sophisticated sense of taste built up over many years of paying close attention to language. These writers are readily able to identify problems in AI-generated text  (Chakrabarty et al . , 2023 ) , and are often unwilling to simply accept creative decisions made by the machine when these decisions conflict with their own sensibilities  (Mirowski et al . , 2023 ) . Novice writers, on the other hand, may tend to treat the machine as a creative authority  (Anderson et al . , 2024 ) and delegate a greater proportion of their creative decisions—a form of algorithmic loafing   (Inuwa-Dutse et al . , 2023 ) that is likely to result in a stronger sense of dearth.

The value of underdetermination. Different AI-based CSTs for writing vary widely in the nature of their output and their ability to make a large proportion of the decisions involved in writing on the user’s behalf. When the outputs of a CST take the form of “sparks”  (Gero et al . , 2022 ) , plot outlines  (Kreminski et al . , 2022 ) , questions  (Kreminski et al . , 2024 ) , or critiques  (Stark et al . , 2023 ) rather than output-ready prose, the user cannot as easily delegate creative decisions about the integration of these elements into a complete piece of writing—leaving open a space of underdetermination   (Albaugh et al . , 2020 ) , or perhaps even creative struggle   (Zhou and Sterman, 2023 ) , into which expressive intent must flow.

3. Reversing the Dearth

The dearth of the author arises when the ratio of authorial intent to output text length is small. AI-based CSTs that make creative decisions on the author’s behalf tend to decrease this ratio. But AI-based CSTs can also increase this ratio by leading the author to make a greater number of meaningful creative decisions per unit of text produced , drawing out unexpressed elements of the author’s intent and provoking them to refine this intent further  (Kreminski et al . , 2024 ; Kreminski and Mateas, 2021 ) . CSTs that do this well enough may even bring about an unexpected alternative condition: an abundance of the author , in which every word of a piece has been considered more carefully and from more different angles than the author could otherwise manage or afford. The question of how exactly to design CSTs to support this abundance—we contend—is one of the biggest and most potentially impactful research questions that faces the field of AI-based writing support today.

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Ability to work with AI identified as "top skill of the future" for creatives

Autodesk surveyed over 5,000 industry leaders.

The question of how AI will impact on the creative sectors and what it means for those in training has been one of the most hotly debated topics of the year. We reported a couple of months back on a study into how Hollywood bosses expect AI to impact on their HR needs . Now the design software giant Autodesk has delved deeper in its latest report on the state of the industry.

Autodesk's 2024 State of Design and Make report throws up statistics on business resilience, talent and sustainability based on surveys of 5,399 business leaders across sectors ranging from media and entertainment to construction services and industrial machinery. And the insights into attitudes to AI are one of the highlights.

The report surveyed 2,002 people in architecture engineering and construction, 1,787 in design and manufacturing and 1,579 in media and entertainment (42% in advertising, publishing and graphic design, 30% in film and 28% in gaming). Despite AI still being an emerging tech, fifty-six percent say they are already approaching or have already incorporated AI. Still more expect AI to enhance their industry and become “essential across the board”.

And industry leaders appear to be optimistic. The majority (78%) expressed confidence that their company will will make the right decisions regarding AI and that AI will enhance their industry. Moreover, 79% think AI will make their industry more creative and 66% think AI will become essential across the board within the next to thee years.

Most dramatic of all was the finding that industry leaders ranked the ability to implement AI tools or "work with AI" as the most important skill for the future across a range of industries. This was ranked as the top skill in architecture and construction, design and manufacturing, games and advertising, publishing and graphic design. In the film sector, it was ranked third behind digital skills and data analytics.

“Being able to work with and harness AI, whether it’s in art, development, or game planning, will be an important skill set in the future,” Ji-Woong Hong, executive vice president of BF Production at mobile and online game developer COM2US, told Autodesk. “Additionally, technical artists and data scientists who can use AI models to predict the viability of different business models will also be valuable.”

More generally, leaders in media and entertainment tended to agree that digital skills and a willingness to participate in self-directed learning would be vital in the future. Gaspard Roche, associate global head of characters at the visual effects postproduction, and animation company Mikros Animation said: “Flexibility is a skill set I always value. When we needed more artists in one of the other departments, we were able to shift people if they could work in another area. The cool thing about flexibility is you also get to know other aspects of the business and workflows that can make you better in your main skill set.” 

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Opinions on the destabilising effect of AI were split fairly evenly: 16% strongly agreed that AI was a threat, 16% strongly disagreed, while 25% somewhat agreed and 24% somewhat disagreed. Overall, the survey found trust in AI to be "extraordinarily high", with 76% of respondents saying they trust the technology for their industry. However, some cautious skepticism emerged in interviews with business leaders and experts. Some expressed doubts that companies are going to be able to trust the technology enough to sign off on critical deliverables, noting that existing AI tools often present errors as facts. 

Others believe that level of optimism will drop if bad actors misuse the technology. “We’ve not yet had cases where AI has done something really bad,” notes Severin Tenim, head of strategic projects & development at ALEC Engineering & Contracting, a leading tier one construction and contracting firm. “Once there are more events of AI impacting society negatively, or malicious use of AI, I think that trust level will come down.”

The top use cases cited for AI today are increasing productivity and automating mundane, repetitive tasks. Ji-Woong Hong said: “We are testing different options for AI and ML and applying them to our daily work. For example, AI technologies are used to create concept art and set the direction for new games, with faster results.

As for Autodesk's own tools, the company noted that the beta version of a Maya automation tool that helps artists manage their scene data led to a 60% increase in the number of users interested in the beta version over the course of just a few months, a spike that is unprecedented in the history of the company’s beta launches.

And while much of the conversation about AI in design and make industries centers on generative design, companies are also exploring use cases that streamline or enhance back-office processes. “There are so many aspects to AI. Cybersecurity vendors are building AI into network security. Does that count as a creative company using AI? We’re using it to protect our systems. We’re not using it to create images. We’ve already had our clients tell us, ‘You can’t use AI unless you tell us.’” — David Spilsbury, Chief Technology Officer, Axis Studios, an animation and VFX studio

The survey also looked at the issue of digital maturity. Digitally mature M&E companies were found to be far ahead of their peers when it comes to "practices that are key to success in  the sector". Sixty-six percent of M&E respondents said their company was digitally mature. 

Key aspects highlighted were cloud connectivity for collaboration and investments in back-end computing infrastructure to power advanced work in areas like visual effects. Marion Guignolle, lead technical design animator for Gearbox Studio Québec, said companies need to balance the pressure to move quickly with the need to evaluate new tools carefully. 

“It’s very important to stay up to date with what’s happening in technology because it changes every day and there is always something new,” Guignolle said “You need to test and try things yourself to form your own opinion about what is going to work in your field and what isn’t. If you stay in your comfort zone, you’re going to get left behind.”

For more on AI, see our pick of the best AI art generators and Adobe's new AI tools for Premiere Pro .

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Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

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AI’s ability to write for us—and our inability to resist ‘The Button’—will spark a crisis of meaning in creative work

Soon, every major office application and email client will include a button to help you create a draft of your work. It deserves capital letters: The Button.

When faced with the tyranny of the blank page, people are going to push The Button. It is so much easier to start with something than nothing. Students are going to use it to start essays. Managers will use it to start emails, reports, or documents. Teachers will use it when providing feedback. Scientists will use it to write grants. Concept artists will use it for their first draft. Everyone is going to use The Button.

The implications of having AI write our first drafts (even if we do the work ourselves, which is not a given) are huge. One consequence is that we could lose our creativity and originality. When we use AI to generate our first drafts, we tend to anchor on the first idea that the machine produces, which influences our future work. Even if we rewrite the drafts completely, they will still be tainted by the AI’s influence. We will not be able to explore different perspectives and alternatives, which could lead to better solutions and insights.

Another consequence is that we could reduce the quality and depth of our thinking and reasoning. When we use AI to generate our first drafts, we don’t have to think as hard or as deeply about what we write. We rely on the machine to do the hard work of analysis and synthesis, and we don’t engage in critical and reflective thinking ourselves. We also miss the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and feedback and the chance to develop our own style.

AI can do it

There is already evidence that this is going to be a problem. A recent MIT study found that ChatGPT mostly serves as a substitute for human effort, not a complement to our skills. In fact, the vast majority of participants didn’t even bother editing the AI’s output. This is a problem I see repeatedly when people first use AI: they just paste in the exact question they are asked and let the AI answer it.

A lot of work is time-consuming by design. In a world in which the AI gives an instant, pretty good, near universally accessible shortcut, we’ll soon face a crisis of meaning in creative work of all kinds. This is, in part, because we expect creative work to take careful thought and revision, but also that time often operates as a stand-in for work. Take, for example, the letter of recommendation. Professors are asked to write letters for students all the time, and a good letter takes a long time to write. You have to understand the student and the reason for the letter, decide how to phrase the letter to align with the job requirements and the student’s strengths, and more. The fact that it is time-consuming is somewhat the point. That a professor takes the time to write a good letter is a sign that they support the student’s application. We are setting our time on fire to signal to others that this letter is worth reading.

Or we can push The Button.

And the problem is that the letter the AI generates is going to be good. Not just grammatically correct, but persuasive and insightful to a human reader. It is going to be better than most letters of recommendation that I receive. This means that not only is the quality of the letter no longer a signal of the professor’s interest, but also that you may actually be hurting people by not writing a letter of recommendation by AI, especially if you are not a particularly strong writer. So people now have to consider that the goal of the letter (getting a student a job) is in contrast with the morally correct method of accomplishing the goal (the professor spending a lot of time writing the letter). I am still doing all my letters the old-fashioned way, but I wonder whether that will ultimately do my students a disservice.

Now consider all the other tasks whose final written output is important because it is a signal of the time spent on the task and of the thoughtfulness that went into it—performance reviews, strategic memos, college essays, grant applications, speeches, comments on papers. And so much more.

Reconstructing meaning

Then The Button starts to tempt everyone. Work that was boring to do but meaningful when completed by humans (like performance reviews) becomes easy to outsource—and the apparent quality actually increases. We start to create documents mostly with AI that get sent to AI-powered inboxes, where the recipients respond primarily with AI. Even worse, we still create the reports by hand but realize that no human is actually reading them. This kind of meaningless task, what organizational theorists have called mere ceremony, has always been with us. But AI will make a lot of previously useful tasks meaningless. It will also remove the facade that previously disguised meaningless tasks. We may not have always known if our work mattered in the bigger picture, but in most organizations, the people in your part of the organizational structure felt it did. With AI-generated work sent to other AIs to assess, that sense of meaning disappears.

We are going to need to reconstruct meaning, in art and in the rituals of creative work. This is not an easy process, but we have done it before, many times. Where musicians once made money from records, they now depend on being excellent live performers. When photography made realistic oil paintings obsolete, artists started pushing the bounds of photography as art. When the spreadsheet made adding data by hand unneeded, clerks shifted their responsibilities to bigger-picture issues. This change in meaning is going to have a large effect on work.

Excerpted with permission from Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI , by Ethan Mollick, in agreement with Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © Ethan Mollick, 2024.

Ethan Mollick is a professor of management at Wharton, specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation. He writes the AI-focused blog One Useful Thing and is the creator of numerous educational games on a variety of topics. 

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Gig workers are writing essays for AI to learn from

• Companies are hiring highly educated gig workers to write training content for AI models .
• The shift toward more sophisticated trainers comes as tech giants scramble for new data sources.
• AI could run out of data to learn from by 2026, one research institute has warned. 

As artificial intelligence models run out of data to train themselves on, AI companies are increasingly turning to actual humans to write training content.

For years, companies have used gig workers to help train AI models on simple tasks like photo identification , data annotation, and labelling. But the rapidly advancing technology now requires more advanced people to train it.

Companies such as Scale AI and Surge AI are hiring part-timers with graduate degrees to write essays and creative prompts for the bots to gobble up, The New York Times reported . Scale AI, for example, posted a job last year looking for people with Master's degrees or PhDs, who are fluent in either English, Hindi, or Japanese and have professional writing experience in fields like poetry, journalism, and publishing.

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Their mission? To help AI bots "become better writers," Scale AI wrote in the posting.

And an army of workers are needed to do this kind of work. Scale AI has as many as tens of thousands of contractors working on its platform at a time, per the Times.

"What really makes the A.I. useful to its users is the human layer of data, and that really needs to be done by smart humans and skilled humans and humans with a particular degree of expertise and a creative bent," Willow Primack, the vice president of data operations at Scale AI, told the New York Times. "We have been focusing on contractors, particularly within North America, as a result."

The shift toward more sophisticated gig trainers comes as tech giants scramble to find new data to train their technology on. That's because the programs learn so incredibly fast that they're already running out of available resources to learn from. The vast trove of online information — everything from scientific papers to news articles to Wikipedia pages — is drying up.

Epoch, an AI research institute, has warned that AI could run out of data by 2026.

So, companies are finding more and more creative ways to make sure their systems never stop learning. Google has considered accessing its customers' data in Google Docs , Sheets, and Slides while Meta even thought about buying publishing house Simon & Schuster to harvest its book collection, Business Insider previously reported.

Watch: Nearly 50,000 tech workers have been laid off — but there's a hack to avoid layoffs

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