My Column? My Words?

I’ve always enjoyed writing. I started writing for the old Almont Times-Herald in 1963 and have continued on and off ever since. It gives me a chance to share thoughts, ideas, opinions and memories with readers.

`In all of my columns, I wrote every word myself, every word. No help from anyone. That’s the way it should be, I think. But now, lo and behold, as I work on this column on Microsoft Word, there is a little icon called “copilot” next to the sentence I’m composing. If I click on that icon, faster than I can think of more words or type them, words appear miraculously. It’s called AI, Artificial Intelligence. It can write the column for me! Let me demonstrate. The following is brought to you by, um, I don’t know who. AI wrote it. I don’t know how it works. Who composes it? Here goes.

There was a time when writing was a solitary practice, a deeply personal endeavor where every word reflected the writer’s thoughts, ideas, and voice. A blank sheet of paper—or, in more recent decades, a blinking cursor on a computer screen—was a challenge to be conquered, a canvas for creativity and connection. Today, however, the craft of writing is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we find ourselves at the crossroads of effort and automation, where a column can quite literally write itself.

`As I sit here, contemplating the implications of this phenomenon, I’m struck by the irony of the moment. For many years, I prided myself on crafting every word of my columns, pouring my heart and mind into each sentence. The process was painstaking but rewarding—a labor of love that connected me to my readers. And now, as I type these words, there’s a small icon on my screen. A click of this icon summons an invisible collaborator, a spectral presence known as AI, ready to finish my sentences, offer suggestions, or even compose entire paragraphs on my behalf. It’s efficient, it’s uncanny, and it’s downright unsettling.

Large language models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) have been trained on vast amounts of text, analyzing patterns, syntax, and semantics to produce eerily human-like prose. These AI tools can write an essay, draft a business proposal, or pen a heartfelt love letter, all in the blink of an eye.

But here’s the rub: while AI can craft a perfectly serviceable column, does it have anything to say? Can it capture the nuance of a personal experience, the subtleties of a unique perspective, or the warmth of a human voice? The answer, at least for now, is no. AI writes based on what it has learned, regurgitating patterns and information it has absorbed. It lacks the lived experiences, emotions, and idiosyncrasies that make human writing so compelling.

As AI becomes more integrated into the writing process, it raises a host of ethical and philosophical questions. Who owns the words generated by AI? Is the writer who clicked the icon still the author of the piece? And what happens to the art of writing when the barriers to entry are so drastically lowered?

There’s also the issue of authenticity. Readers expect a columnist to share their thoughts and opinions, not those of an algorithm. If a column is entirely or partially written by AI, should that be disclosed? Transparency is crucial in maintaining trust, but it also risks alienating readers who might feel cheated by the absence of a human touch.

For instance, AI can help a journalist rapidly fact-check a piece or provide historical context at the touch of a button. It can assist a novelist in brainstorming plot twists or help a poet find just the right word to complete a stanza. In these scenarios, AI enhances rather than diminishes human creativity.

The rise of AI in writing is a reminder that our world is constantly evolving. For some, this change is exhilarating—a sign of progress and possibility. For others, it is disheartening, a loss of something deeply human. As with all technological advancements, the key lies in finding balance. We must embrace the benefits of AI while safeguarding the integrity of human expression.

As I finish this column, I find myself marveling at the strange journey we’ve embarked upon. Writing has always been an act of connection—a bridge between the writer and the reader, a way to share what it means to be human. AI can assist in building that bridge, but it cannot cross it for us. The thoughts, emotions, and experiences that make writing so powerful will always be ours to share.

The question is not whether AI can write a column, but whether we should let it. After all, some traditions are worth preserving.

Wow! All of that was written by AI. AI took the words right out of my mouth…or computer. It’s actually pretty good. It’s very much like I would have written. But I still prefer to do it the old-fashioned way. I think it up; I type it and share it with you readers. I promise that any words you see in the future under my byline will be mine alone, not anonymous AI. Frankly, AI scares me to death. How about you?

Contact Rick at tct@pageone-inc.com