Will AI Render Professional Writers Obsolete?

With the rising popularity of AI apps such as ChatGPT and Grammerly, many professional writers hold negative views of AI for a variety of reasons. Concerns range from their work being used for AI training without any financial compensation to their jobs being obsolete at some point in the near future. It's obvious at this point that AI is not going away, so the question remains, should writers avoid AI or learn to use it to their advantage?

AI data is collected and fed into large language models that are then used to train AI algorithms, and that data is often taken without the consent of the author. There is currently no comprehensive federal law regulating AI, though there are efforts at state and federal levels to enact legislation to regulate the use of AI generated content. Because there are no restrictions, AI is currently a virtual wild west when it comes to how that data is collected and used. This is an obvious concern for writers who don't want their content used without consent or compensation.

An obvious concern, and one that remains the elephant in the room, is whether AI will be the downfall of the writing profession. Be it creative or technical, the field of writing has a vast array of opportunities for those who are gifted in the craft. Most writers begin with a passion for expression, but with experience and continued commitment to developing their skill, many are able to make a living from the written word. I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about how a rise in the use of AI will impact my ability to attract and retain clients. Will clients on a tight budget choose to employ the use of ChatGPT for content, rather than pay for the services of a seasoned writer? Time will tell, indeed, but the fear of becoming unnecessary in the field of marketing is a valid concern, regardless of what some may argue.

Is it possible to for writers to utilize AI to their advantage? That answer is complicated. It's certainly beneficial to use AI for quick brainstorming of ideas, but to use solely AI generated content, not only lacks individuality, it would be, in by opinion, unethical to bill a client for work that is strictly AI. The use of AI will never fully mimic the human voice. It is quite apparent when AI is used because there is the missing element of the human voice, the character and inflection that can only be created by a person. Perhaps it's possible for AI and the writing profession to coexist, but to consider a world where AI replaces human creativity is unthinkable and frankly, a little depressing.

As new AI data companies emerge, the use of AI in various industries and professions, will continue to grow as well. History will determine if this technology will be for the greater good of society or leave us saturated with bot-like content that reads like an instruction manual, devoid of human inflection and emotion.