Yes, quite possibly, but then that’s always been the case in that the ‘competition’ from dross has always been there. The challenge is that the volume of such material has increased exponentially. I’ve heard plenty of anecdotes of ‘authors’ churning out multiple novels a day using AI. Few people may buy them but it gets harder to have your work found amid the noise. I write non-fiction but the same issues apply.
AI works by predicting what is the most likely next word, drawing on its vast database of written material. I think it can’t replace original description drawn from personal experience. It can replace clichéd description of popular places, where the writer is just regurgitating what others have said before them.
Thank you for your comment, Felicity. I do hope that personal experience will always triumph. Do you think writers will have to work harder to write about it, to be 'more' original than the AI bots?
It's quite possible that AI might, at some point, undertake the role of a place writer. But how holistic will it be?
Yes, AI might lack our biological sensory experiences, but unless you are talking about a place no one has ever documented, all these tools will need to do is analyse and interpret sensory data.
Think written descriptions, social media posts, reviews, historical texts, and all audio-visual content.
It could then generate pretty compelling descriptions that capture the essence of any place from the perspective of anyone you choose, living or dead.
It might only be a matter of time before we find olfactory sensors in our phones that detect smells. Then, perhaps a 'free' app will start logging smell data to grid references.
Sadly for us humans, I feel an AI will find place writing very easy indeed. In fact, it needn't stop there. We already have generative machine learning tools creating immersive virtual realities in video from a simple text input. No need to conjure up the sense of place in your mind while merely reading. Slip on some goggles and immerse yourself in the virtual space.
But will we be able to relate as deeply with these machine renders as well as we might with our human perspective?
Perhaps for a little while, we still have an edge. Thanks to our contextual understanding, subjectivity, empathy, and connection to the world around us.
Most important of all will be the connection we nurture with our communities of readers.
It's not just about trust and authenticity, there is also emotional connection and the shared experience... And long may it last. :-)
I think I agree that, as far as creative writing is concerned, we humans have an edge for a little while. It's quite frightening to think that it might only be for a few years though. Your view of the future makes the hair stand up on my neck. Of course, it might be very very exciting. But, whatever happens, I hope that people will always have creative outlets for their work, and that there will always be an audience for it.
Yes, quite possibly, but then that’s always been the case in that the ‘competition’ from dross has always been there. The challenge is that the volume of such material has increased exponentially. I’ve heard plenty of anecdotes of ‘authors’ churning out multiple novels a day using AI. Few people may buy them but it gets harder to have your work found amid the noise. I write non-fiction but the same issues apply.
Thank you for your thoughts, Felicity. And lots of good wishes for your own writing.
Love these ideas, Yasmin. Congrats on the Viva! Look forward to hearing about it.
Thanks, Kathleen. :-)
AI works by predicting what is the most likely next word, drawing on its vast database of written material. I think it can’t replace original description drawn from personal experience. It can replace clichéd description of popular places, where the writer is just regurgitating what others have said before them.
Thank you for your comment, Felicity. I do hope that personal experience will always triumph. Do you think writers will have to work harder to write about it, to be 'more' original than the AI bots?
AI is very clever, but I don't think it will write anything as sensitive and meaningful as your poem!
Tongue in cheek, Carol. AI is far too clever for my liking!
Well, do we have a choice, to live with it or not? It seems very good where there the NHS is concerned.
Absolutely right. The benefits are amazing.
Thanks for the mention Yasmin.
It's quite possible that AI might, at some point, undertake the role of a place writer. But how holistic will it be?
Yes, AI might lack our biological sensory experiences, but unless you are talking about a place no one has ever documented, all these tools will need to do is analyse and interpret sensory data.
Think written descriptions, social media posts, reviews, historical texts, and all audio-visual content.
It could then generate pretty compelling descriptions that capture the essence of any place from the perspective of anyone you choose, living or dead.
It might only be a matter of time before we find olfactory sensors in our phones that detect smells. Then, perhaps a 'free' app will start logging smell data to grid references.
Sadly for us humans, I feel an AI will find place writing very easy indeed. In fact, it needn't stop there. We already have generative machine learning tools creating immersive virtual realities in video from a simple text input. No need to conjure up the sense of place in your mind while merely reading. Slip on some goggles and immerse yourself in the virtual space.
But will we be able to relate as deeply with these machine renders as well as we might with our human perspective?
Perhaps for a little while, we still have an edge. Thanks to our contextual understanding, subjectivity, empathy, and connection to the world around us.
Most important of all will be the connection we nurture with our communities of readers.
It's not just about trust and authenticity, there is also emotional connection and the shared experience... And long may it last. :-)
I think I agree that, as far as creative writing is concerned, we humans have an edge for a little while. It's quite frightening to think that it might only be for a few years though. Your view of the future makes the hair stand up on my neck. Of course, it might be very very exciting. But, whatever happens, I hope that people will always have creative outlets for their work, and that there will always be an audience for it.