A few weeks ago, an article was brought to my attention that was written by Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg. Or I should say, written by AI impersonating Mr. Steinberg. With a few directives entered into ChatGPT by Neil, the article captured his essence, spitting forth his snark, his self-deprecating humor, his penchant for clever metaphors, his knack for irony, his general wise-a**, often cynical tone. Much to Neil’s chagrin – and frankly, mine – the writing was remarkably good. 

Damn! How could this be? It left me – and Neil – with an uneasy feeling. Like being introduced to someone who looked, acted, sounded and talked exactly like you. Creepy.

So is this what our world of writing is coming to? Can we be replaced or ripped off that easily? Granted, humans have been parodying (and parroting) other people’s styles for eons, be it in the writing or entertainment profession. I myself have often done it in my own writing projects, assuming someone else’s character/personality. My Dad, a writer, used to call it “Method Writing.” You take on the voice, mannerisms, style, etc. that would conjure up a particular entity. In my own line of work, Advertising/Marketing, it’s almost a requirement. Example:

For one assignment, I had to write a website for a design consultant. She was brash, funny, blunt, highly knowledgeable and professional. I had such fun “channeling her character” and in the end, received the best compliment of all. She gleefully said it sounded as if she wrote it herself. 

Sorry if that came off like a brag. But nothing could have made me happier. And that’s just it. Writing, even if it’s just a Thank You note -- makes me happy. Fulfilled. Knowing that consciously or sub, I could somehow dig into the well of all my experiences, my stories, my inherited traits, my ability to reason, and above all, be imbued with that ineffable, mysterious thing we call “soul”... it will all mush together and come out on the written page in readable form. Hoping that in some way, it moves the reader. To laughter. To tears. To inspire. To donate. To buy something! 

Does AI do all that to get to a final draft? 

Most importantly, if you’ve ever had AI do the writing for you, how did it make you feel? Sure it saves time. And clients’ money. Maybe the result even adheres to the new standard of being “good enough.” But something is missing. And the ones who mourn it most...are writers.

This is not to be a tirade against AI. That would be stupid. Lord knows, its usage is, can and will be invaluable beyond our imaginations. As writers, it could be fantastic for research purposes, or to get the juices flowing. Or to spark an angle that otherwise wouldn’t have occurred. I’ve noticed, too, that many of the jobs being offered on various job sites are for “AI Writers.” Since they obviously require a knowledge of AI, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us writers to learn how to use it. Certainly it would be another arrow we can add to our quiver of services. 

But please. Let that not stop us from using our own noggins. Let’s not worry. Let’s be happy. Let’s keep on writing. Even if it’s just a Thank You note.

-- Laura Stigler

P.S. Writing this article made me happy.