Staring at the blank screen, typing and clicking backspace instantly is the most dreaded situation for a writer. After several failed attempts of beginning the first draft, the question you’ve dodged many times arises, is this writer’s block?
But before we’re able to answer it with certainty, we’re provided with the solution; the instant solution that is just a click away.
The Tempting Click with An Instant Solution
The temptation of this click is real, and it might try its best to take over sometimes. But should we let it? Is it effective? We’ll get to that, but first, let’s dissect what this tempting click is: AI – the recent seducing technology that has us at its feet. AI, led by ChatGPT, Meta, Bing, and others, offers us assistance in writing (with 70% of users relying on AI for content creation), brainstorming (with 60% of marketers using AI for idea generation), and even plays as search engines if we want them to (with 40% of search queries now answered by AI-powered chatbots). They’re introduced in the market as the ultimate go-to for just about anything, with 200 million monthly active users worldwide, and a growth rate of 1 million users within the first 5 days of ChatGPT’s launch. But, with 77.2 million users in the US alone, and an average time spent per ChatGPT web session per user worldwide of 13 minutes and 35 seconds, it’s clear that AI is here to stay. But, is it effective if we let it write for us?
Let’s Have AI Brainstorm For Us
When you’re staring at your blank screen and aren’t able to come up with something as juicy as you usually do, the thought of AI getting you started comes to mind. You look at this opportunity as assistance in brainstorming. You put a prompt like “Give me title ideas for a blog on content creation” and the answer is instant. You’re given five choices, out of which you like one.
You think there’s nothing wrong with that, but here’s where the problem is. You were boxed inside with only five titles, and your ability to brainstorm something outside of it is diminished – and this is just the beginning…
Let’s Get Creative with AI
From just brainstorming mere titles, you’re tempted to have creative answers from AI, and before you know it, AI is generating creative content to fill the blank page you were all so worried about!
The allure of having AI take the reins, especially when you’re struggling with your own ideas, is strong. You might even convince yourself that it’s just a little help—a few sentences here, a paragraph there. What’s the harm in that?
At first, it feels like a relief. The pressure of staring at the blank screen lifts as AI starts filling it with words. The ideas flow effortlessly, and the draft takes shape faster than you expected. You might even be impressed by how coherent and creative the AI-generated content is. But here’s the catch—what happens next?
You’re Outsourcing your Greatest Asset: Creative Thinking.
Imagine if, instead of going to the gym, you let someone else do the workout for you. Sure, you might see some initial benefits, like a momentary sense of relaxation or extra free time. But over time, your energy levels would drop, your muscles would weaken, and your overall health would suffer. The same principle applies when you let AI do the creative work for you.
Every time you allow AI to handle the creative part of your writing, you’re essentially outsourcing your creativity. Your brain, which thrives on the challenge of crafting unique ideas and weaving them into compelling narratives, starts to take a back seat. The more you rely on AI for creative input, the less your brain has to work, and the more it loses its sharpness.
“The internet could have been a great thing, but we designed it wrong. It’s a shame. Let’s not make the same mistake with AI.” – Jaron Lanier
You Stop Thinking: The Risk of Dependency
Before you know it, this occasional assistance turns into a dependency. You find yourself turning to AI more and more, not just for brainstorming or rough drafts, but for full-fledged content creation. The habit of thinking critically, of experimenting with language, of pushing the boundaries of your creativity—these all start to fade.
As with any muscle, creativity needs regular exercise to stay strong. When you let AI take over that exercise, your ability to generate original ideas, to write with your unique voice, and to solve creative challenges diminishes. The process that once gave you joy and satisfaction—crafting a piece of writing from scratch—now feels more like a task you’re outsourcing.
Where’s Your Voice?
One of the most significant dangers of letting AI do the heavy lifting is losing your voice. AI might be able to mimic certain styles or generate content that fits within specific parameters, but it lacks the nuances, the quirks, and the personal touch that make your writing distinctly yours. Over time, your writing could start to feel generic, a far cry from the unique perspective you used to bring to the table.
This is not to say that AI has no place in the creative process. It can be a powerful tool when used wisely, but it should remain just that—a tool, not a crutch. The temptation to let AI take over is understandable, especially during times of creative block, but the long-term costs to your creativity and your craft are far too great.
Ban AI in the Beginning!
Here’s a radical idea: What if you banned AI from the initial stages of writing? What if you committed to doing the hard work yourself before ever letting AI assist you?
Imagine starting your writing process with a blank page, armed only with your thoughts, your insights, and your unique perspective. The challenge is real, and the struggle is palpable. But this is where true creativity is forged. By writing your initial draft from scratch, you engage deeply with the material, wrestle with ideas, and shape them into something original. This process is not just about putting words on a page; it’s about exploring your thoughts and refining them through your own intellectual and emotional effort.
AI as the Final Touch
Once you’ve laid down the foundations of your draft, you can then introduce AI into the equation. Think of AI as the finishing touch, a tool to polish and refine what you’ve already created. After you’ve poured your energy into crafting a piece of writing that reflects your voice and ideas, AI can assist in smoothing out rough edges, suggesting enhancements, or providing additional perspectives. This way, AI serves as a supportive resource rather than the primary driver of your content.
By starting your writing process on your own, you safeguard your creative integrity. You retain ownership of the ideas and expressions that define your work.
The early stages of writing—where you struggle, iterate, and innovate—are where your voice is strongest. If you rely on AI from the outset, you risk diluting that voice and diminishing the originality of your work.
Balancing the Scales
The balance is crucial. AI should enhance, not overshadow, your creative process. By banning AI in the beginning, you ensure that your ideas are genuinely yours. When you later incorporate AI, it’s to complement and elevate your work, not replace the hard-won creativity you’ve developed. This approach not only preserves the essence of your writing but also makes the final product richer and more nuanced.
How can we create balance and resist the temptation to hand over everything to AI? Here’s how experts at Sunan believe you can divide the roles:
In the end, the satisfaction of seeing your ideas come to life, the thrill of solving a creative puzzle, and the fulfillment of expressing your voice are irreplaceable. These are the very things that drew you to writing in the first place. By keeping AI in its rightful place as an assistant rather than a replacement, you ensure that your creativity remains vibrant and that your voice continues to shine through in everything you write.
So, go to the gym yourself.
Write yourself.
Let AI assist you in the end.
Remember, your write-up should have your touch.
It should reflect your voice because…well, it matters.
