Is AI getting too smart for our own good?
Lately, there has been talk about authors using AI to
"write" books and self-publish them. So, I decided to read a story
created by AI and self-published by an "author."
My findings:
While the writing is technically sound and grammatically correct, and the story presents an interesting plot, I found that it lacks a human touch in conveying the characters' feelings and personalities. Although the characters are well-described, the writing noticeably lacks imagination, vivid descriptions, and originality. This issue is becoming increasingly common in many creative industries, with the rise of AI-generated books only amplifying the problem.
AI's reliance on existing texts often results in derivative ideas that may already exist elsewhere. This can lead to less engaging and impersonal content that fails to capture the reader's attention, and it may even risk unintentional plagiarism.
The Ethical Side of AI-Generated and AI-Assisted Writing
There is an ongoing debate about the morality of using AI to write and publish books and whether using a writing assistant to edit and polish a manuscript is appropriate.
Distinction Between AI-Generated and AI-Assisted Content
Content created entirely by pressing a single button with the help of AI technology is typically of low quality and likely yields a subpar reading experience. This type of content is classified as AI-generated. In contrast, AI-assisted content uses AI-powered tools as a co-pilot in the writing process, supporting rather than fully creating the material.
Changes in Traditional Publishing
As AI book writers begin to flood the market, the traditional publishing model is undergoing changes. Editors, proofreaders, and self-publishing companies are increasingly offering options to incorporate AI into the manuscript process based on budget and time constraints. Is this the right approach?
Market Saturation
The growing number of AI authors may lead to an abundance of published works. However, quantity does not always equate to quality. With the ease of creating and publishing AI-generated books, the market may become overcrowded with titles that lack significant value.
Decreased Reader Interest
Given the vast array of books available, readers may feel overwhelmed and lose interest. Regardless of whether a book is created by AI or humans, poor-quality content is easily recognizable. However, if you invest your heart and soul into crafting exceptional stories within your niche, your work will stand out for all the right reasons, even in a saturated market.
Legal Implications
I am curious about the legal aspects of publishing a book solely created by AI. Currently, it is unclear whether copyright protection can be granted to content that is 100% AI-generated. Who would claim copyright in this case? Would it be the AI, or the human who uploaded the work without having written it?
My Conclusion
I choose not to use AI in my writing process because I enjoy writing and expressing my creativity through storytelling. However, once I complete my story, I do utilize software to check grammar, sentence flow, and identify overused words. In my opinion, even the best editing software cannot replace the need for a human editor. Therefore, I also hire an editor to perform a final review of my books before publishing.
What is your opinion as a creative writer?
Would you publish a story you didn't write?
What is your opinion as a reader?
Would you prefer stories written by AI?
Erika M Szabo
Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.