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3 Things About AI That No One Is Talking About (that I want to explore)
What do AI, storytelling, and authenticity have in common?

As a rhetoric and writing professor, I have always been fascinated by the way language shapes our understanding of the world.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the intersection of three seemingly disparate topics: AI & digital storytelling, attitudes and beliefs about AI, and ethos in the creator economy.
While these topics may appear unrelated, they are deeply interconnected and will fundamentally change the way we think about writing in the future.
Teaching AI & Digital Storytelling
As our world becomes more digitized, it’s becoming increasingly important for students to have a strong foundation in both AI and digital storytelling. By integrating these topics into the classroom, we can equip students with the skills they need to engage audiences in interactive and efficient ways.
AI has the potential to revolutionize storytelling by creating more immersive experiences, but it also presents ethical concerns around issues such as representation and bias. As educators, it’s our responsibility to grapple with these issues and help our students develop a deep understanding of both the potential and limitations of AI.
The world has always been shaped by stories … and now AI will be shaping those stories. The world will need readers and writers more than ever.
Attitudes and Beliefs about AI and Writing
The rise of AI has also led to a shift in how we approach writing. From chatbots to automated content creation, AI is increasingly taking on the role of the writer, raising important questions about authenticity and creativity in the digital age. How we answer those questions are determined, not by facts or data, but by how we perceive the world.
And how we perceive the world is shaped in invisible ways by our culture, our beliefs, even the stories that we tell. What stories are we telling about AI and its impact on writing, and how are those stories shaping our attitudes and beliefs? Are we embracing AI as a tool to enhance our writing, or are we fearful that it will replace human creativity altogether?
There are no right answers, because like anything else driven by ideas and rhetoric, we determine those answers through dialogue and interaction.
Ethos or Authenticity in the Creator Economy
Last but not least, the rise of the creator economy has brought issues of authenticity and ethos to the forefront. As more and more people turn to content creation as a source of income, it’s becoming increasingly important to establish a strong sense of trust and authenticity with our audiences.
AI has the potential to both aid and hinder this process. While AI can allow creators to scale their content and reach a wider audience, it can also erode the sense of trust and authenticity that is so crucial to success in the creator economy. As creators, it’s important to be mindful of these issues and find ways to balance the benefits of AI with the need for authenticity and integrity.
How can we ensure that our work is seen as authentic and trustworthy? How can we build connections with our audiences and stand out in a sea of automated content?
In the end, it all comes down to interaction. Whether we’re using AI to enhance our writing or building trust with our audiences through authenticity, our success will depend on how we interact with both people and machines in authentic ways.
As writers, educators, and creators, let’s embrace the potential of AI while staying true to our audiences.
That’s what I’ll be exploring for the next 30 days or so … at least.
Why I’m Writing Everyday on Medium During the Busiest Part of the Semester
As an educator, I know that the end of the semester is the busiest part of the year. Between grading, planning for the…medium.com
By the way, Medium supports their writers by sharing the subscription fee that members pay to get full access to all the writing on Medium.
If you aren’t a member, I highly recommend giving it a try. Be sure to sign up through a writer’s personal link so that you are supporting someone you enjoy. Here is mine (if you are interested):
Lance Cummings PhD - Medium
Read writing from Lance Cummings PhD on Medium. 🍎 Best practices for creating content, using AI, and fostering…medium.com
🤖 AI was used to microgenerate ideas for each heading. I crafted this writing with thoughtful intent, though the text may be a blend of machine and human.