AI and the Future of Writing — A Recap

Performing a cyborgian synthesis

A robot waving hello with coffee in its other hand

Hello, Cyborgs Writing subscribers! I'm back with another intriguing issue, and this one's got a special twist.

You know how I’m always exploring the symbiosis between human writers and artificial intelligence?

Well, today's newsletter is a living example of that partnership. I recently had an enriching conversation with

Scott Abel

in an episode of Coffee and Content about the impact of AI on professional writing and education.

And guess what? I'm using AI to help me recap that interview for you.

I went into the interview armed with a long list of notes to ensure we'd have plenty to talk about. The session turned out to be so interactive that I didn't even get to touch on all my points.

So, I decided to turn my unused notes into something useful. I fed them into an AI tool to help me generate this newsletter, covering both what we discussed and what got left on the cutting room floor.

It's all about practicing what we preach, right?

So, grab your coffee and let's dive into the extended universe of our Coffee and Content conversation!

You can watch the full interview on BrightTALK

Writing, Technology, and Experimentation

Writing has always been about experimentation with people and technology. In the days of epic poetry, we experimented with language structure and rhyming, because that was the only technology we had. The printing press brought us things like the essay ... the internet things like memes. Now we have AI on top of everything else.

Think back to the times of Homer. Epic poetry was the tech of the day, and with it came language structures and rhyming schemes that were as innovative then as machine learning algorithms are today.

Fast forward to Gutenberg's era, and the printing press revolutionized the way we produce and consume text, paving the way for new formats like the essay. Then came the internet, bursting onto the scene with memes, tweets, and viral articles.

At each juncture, writers adapted, experimented, and evolved. And now, as we stand on the threshold of the AI era, the cycle continues.

In my role at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, I strive to instill in my students an appreciation for this symbiotic relationship between writing and technology. It's more than just a 'how-to' guide on using AI tools. It's an exploration of how we can understand, shape, and integrate these tools to amplify our capabilities.

We dissect prompts, delve into knowledge management, and even dabble in some coding. The aim is to demystify the technology, making it less of a black box and more of an open book that we can read, rewrite, and even co-author.

One of the most exciting facets of integrating AI into writing is its versatility. This is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Just as every writer has a unique voice, every writer can have a unique relationship with AI.

Some may find it invaluable for brainstorming, generating a flurry of ideas in seconds. Others might lean on it for editing, using it to polish grammar and refine style. The key, however, lies in shifting our focus from mere stylistic concerns to ideation and the generation of ideas. AI's rapid ideation capabilities are a boon, freeing up mental bandwidth and allowing writers to dive deeper into their creativity.

Let's not underestimate the freedom that AI offers. In a world where the pace of life is continually accelerating, the speed at which we can generate and experiment with ideas becomes crucial. AI allows us to iterate faster, to fail quicker and learn from it, and ultimately, to evolve at a pace that was previously unimaginable. It transforms writing from a laborious task into a dynamic, fluid process.

It's Not Just Tools; It's a Mindset

When we talk about integrating AI into writing, we're not merely discussing a new set of tools; we're entering a paradigm shift. I've been researching the creator economy and experimenting with AI for years, and my approach hinges on posthumanism—a philosophical perspective that embraces the co-evolution of humans and technology.

Posthumanism urges us to reevaluate the boundaries between human beings and technologies. Rather than viewing technology as separate or subordinate, posthumanism recognizes it as an extension of human capabilities. In this context, the technology isn't just a tool; it's a partner. We shape it, and it shapes us in return. It's a reciprocal relationship, a symbiotic dance that enriches both parties.

Public opinion on AI and writing often falls into two camps. One believes that writing is a sacred, human-only act, while the other sees technology as a useful, even essential, adjunct. If you're in the former camp, we might reach an impasse. But if you're in the latter, then we're speaking the same language. The goal is not to replace human creativity but to augment it, to use AI as a lens through which new creative vistas may come into focus.

Traditional notions of writing often limit it to a solitary act, a linear process that flows from brain to paper. In the posthumanist view, writing becomes a networked, interactive endeavor. It's not just about stringing words together; it's about creating an information ecosystem where human and machine inputs feed into each other. This is what I call cyborgian writing.

Imagine a tango, if you will, between a writer and an AI tool. Each has its strengths and limitations, but when they come together, they create something that neither could achieve alone. Cyborgian writing is a composite creation that embodies the best of both worlds. It leverages the machine's data-crunching power and the human's nuanced understanding of context, emotion, and narrative. It's not an 'either-or' but a 'better together.'

By expanding our mindset to include AI as a collaborative partner, we unlock new dimensions in writing. We move from a binary view of human vs. machine to a more nuanced understanding of human + machine. And in doing so, we open up a world of creative possibilities that are begging to be explored.

AI in the Writing Process

When we talk about applying AI to writing, it's easy to get lost in the whirlwind of possibilities. From sparking fresh ideas to refining complex sentences, AI serves as a machine collaborator that you, the writer, can guide. But the magic goes beyond mere drafting; it extends into many areas of academic and professional life. Let's break it down.

What does it mean to be creative with AI? Well, it's all about pushing boundaries. Think of AI as an endless source of building blocks. You can remix, recombine, and rearrange these blocks to create something novel. Just like writers before us who experimented with form, syntax, and narrative, we can use AI to add another layer of innovation to the rich tapestry of writing. It's not about replacing but enhancing human creativity.

For students, especially, AI can be a game-changer. We've all felt the terror of a blank page, the weight of infinite possibility. AI can help alleviate this by rapidly generating ideas, structures, or even entire drafts. It becomes a tool for experimentation, allowing students to try out different styles, tones, or arguments without the fear of "wasting time."

Yet, this exciting frontier is not without its pitfalls. There are challenges that we must acknowledge and address. Privacy is a big one; how do we ensure the confidentiality of our work and our students' work? Then there's the issue of potential biases in AI algorithms, which could inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes. And let's not forget the digital divide; not every student has equal access to these advanced tools.

By understanding and mitigating these challenges, we can navigate this new landscape more effectively. And remember, it's not just about the technology; it's about how we integrate it into our practices, our classrooms, and our lives to create something truly transformative.

Teaching the Future Writers

As we look to the future, academia must play a critical role in equipping students for this new, AI-augmented landscape. It's not just about theorizing; it's about letting students explore and shape AI, teaching them to write structured content and organize knowledge. Fostering this mindset turns the integration of AI from a looming threat into a realm of endless opportunities.

And speaking of practicing what we preach, I mentioned at the beginning that I used AI to generate this newsletter, and here's why:

It’s giving me time to get ready for the upcoming semester. As the new semester looms, there are courses to plan, syllabi to finalize, and students to prepare for. By delegating some of the writing process to AI, I can focus my energy on getting these classes up and running while still sharing valuable insights with all of you.

I've also been using AI to help me get my courses up and running for the upcoming semester. The mundane but necessary tasks of syllabus creation, lesson planning, and first-level feedback are now more efficient, freeing me up to focus on the most important part of my job: teaching and interacting with my students.

For example, here is a simple prompt that tells ChatGPT to rewrite any content in HTML, using my style specifications (which can only be done in HTML in our LMS).

Convert the following text in to html using the following style guide.

[HEADING 1] 
<div class="border border-trbl border-round" style="background-color: #c2c2d6; padding: 10px;text-align: left; color: #33334d; font-size: xx-large;">
<strong>Headings</strong>
</div>

[HEADING 2]
<div class="border border-trbl border-round" style="background-color: #c2c2d6; padding: 10px; text-align: left; color: #33334d; font-size: x-large;"><strong>heading</strong></div>

###

-past content in Markdown here-

Stay tuned, because I'm working on a new post that delves into the concept of modularity and structuring prompts, based on insights from my PromptOps course. It promises to be a deep dive into how we can systematically approach the writing process with AI to produce more effective and engaging content.

And you might wonder … how did I generate something so long and in-depth that effectively communicates my thoughts.

It’s all about structured content my friends … more on that to come.

Until then, keep writing, keep experimenting, and as always, stay curious!

Bonus: I created an classroom AI policy based on this content. Check it out if you are interested.