Slow to Embrace Artificial Intelligence?

I have a few family members who work in the tech industry or own a private business, such as my brother, who owns a Telecommunications Company. My son works in Cybersecurity, so we have many opportunities to use AI daily as a family. I was a holdout, not because I had an aversion to change. I had a strong aversion to using less of my intellect and perseverance.  

I love writing and constructing stories with unique characters, settings, and vocabulary, and I research every week for specific topics I will teach. About a year ago, I started using a grammar app to see how my writing compared to their suggestions. I discovered that it is an AI-powered writing assistant. It never occurred to me that I was using AI. Most of the time, I refused to use AI’s suggestions because they were not things I would phrase in that manner. I am an intelligent,  thinking human being. Do I sound like a grammar snob?

No, I love creating scenarios and challenging myself to create. Ok, yes, so having cancer and taking chemo and radiation challenged my brain cells. Having gone through that makes me want to rely on my brain even more to rebuild what chemo has altered.

It is also important to set an example for my students so they do not blindly defer to AI before consulting their evolving knowledge banks. AI is prohibited during state-mandated tests: good call. Some students will always look for the easy way out, not realizing they are not helping themselves evolve in writing. Students want to get it done.

I was looking for a freelance writing opportunity, and written in parentheses was (We do not accept AI written content.) I was happy to see they wanted a realistic human perspective. Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Our mission should be to use it wisely and maintain our authentic voice. It would be unfortunate to lose the quirky expressions of the different regions of our country and the world. Remember, you do not always have to use AI’s suggestions. We are not a “Cookie Cutter” world.

~ A. Cross