AI is, very clearly, disrupting writing and editing. (I’ve kept an eye on it since 2021! Back then, you’d be forgiven for mixing up GPT-3 with C-P30.)

I’ve recently come across more work from writers declaring that they’re turning more to AI solutions to be researchers, thought partners, and developmental editors.

Let’s assume that an AI solution can deliver the same technical results as a trained professional writing collaborator (if not now, then in the near future). 

The main difference is the writer’s preferences. In other words, if you’re a writer, you’ll prefer to rely on AI for certain things, and people for others. 

For example, if you’re really coming down with a creative block, or want a gut check for an idea, you might trust another person—a friend, an editor, a peer, etc.—more than an AI’s response about it.

You might feel better venting at a person than at an AI, or you might also feel more comfortable confiding in an AI who you know will not judge you.

(These are just imaginary scenarios—I can see the inversion of both working as well. For example, sometimes you might want to know that you will be judged—like when you want to be held accountable.)

What’s defensible here, for people, is human connection. There is something that feels very special about being seen, heard, and understood by another actual person. A person will have skin in the game—an AI will not.

When you’re struggling with your draft, this human-to-human validation and understanding can feel energizing. The text generation will no longer be a problem, the real challenge will be you figuring out what you actually want to do and say. 

Can you stick with the work long enough to actually discover it?

Will you be able to dig into your personal story, see its worth, and get the encouragement you need? 

Can you and your editor work together to come up with something fresh and original? Something that you’d find really difficult to prompt AI to suggest? Can you also build conviction to push forward for the idea? 

Can the editor be easier to work with than an AI? Will the editor be able to prompt you better than an AI can?

Will you receive better coaching with another person than an AI? 

I’m writing, editing, and practicing marketing every day, and these are the things on my mind. 

P.S., What are the implications for a writer who wants to not outsource any of the research? Somebody like Robert Caro—who dedicated his life to finding new facts, stories, details for his work?