Writing has always been a complex and creative process that requires a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, writing has been transformed incredibly. AI is being used in various industries, from medicine and finance to education and retail. However, the writing industry is experiencing a significant impact, as AI is offering writers significant assistance, from content production to proofreading and editing.
What does AI mean?
AI writing is an innovative writing technology in computer science that uses machine learning algorithms and natural language processing to create content that mimics human writing. AI writing software can be used in different ways, from generating content from scratch to assisting writers in editing and proofreading existing content. AI tools can create content for various requirements, from blog articles, academic research papers, and even fiction writing.
How Natural Language Processing (NLP) works
AI writing is based on machine learning algorithms that learn from large data sets to generate content. The use of natural language processing (NLP) allows AI to recognize and understand human language, making it possible for AI writing software to produce content that reads and sounds like it was authored by a very human mind. AI writing programs can analyze any topic and generate content based on it, with the same coherence and structure as would be expected from a human writer.
While Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for decades, the latest advancements in language models have transformed the creation of written content, allowing us to write faster and better with fewer grammar and spelling errors. AI will become increasingly essential for businesses by providing better optimization of the writing processes.
But will AI write everything for me?
Well, many of the online hustlers selling something will make you believe this, but the truth is that AI is a tool, not a replacement. In addition, I expect soon that content expansion will increase exponentially with well-written but low-value articles.
AI is not a replacement for writing but rather an assistant to the writing process.
Let me explain why.
Why AI Can’t Replace Human Expertise
As a university professor, I have witnessed in 2022/23 the increase in AI generate reports from students. Of particular note is the writing style is better than in the past. The content of these reports is mediocre and provides little value to the assignment and, worse, does not demonstrate the student’s comprehension of the material.
For example, in a business course on technology, students must submit a 1000-1500 word report on how a new startup can use social media. Hence, many students will go to ChatGPT and write the prompt, “Write a 1250 word report on how a new startup can use social media “. Then the student will copy and paste the results as their submission.
While the AI will write a good generic report, it lacks any analysis of how a small business should approach whether to use social media, which platform to choose based on criteria, or even a simple approach for a startup to identify and implement social media.
There’s no value to a potential reader, just good summarized generic information from the Internet!
Students taking shortcuts is not new, as past reports have included lots of Wikipedia and Google searched content with little student analysis. Hence, the trend for some students (not all) is finding the easiest way to produce a report.
Unfortunately, this is most harmful to students as they pay for this “education” to improve their future careers. Finding a shortcut limits the student’s ability to create value which impedes their future success!
When AI Falls Short
Achieving better results in AI requires specific prompting (often touted as the “solution” by online hustlers) but can limit the results.
Let me demonstrate with a detailed prompt to ChatGPT 4.0:
Prompt: “Provide some indicators from the 2008 financial crisis that could help a home buyer today buying their first home.”
Certainly, several indicators from the 2008 financial crisis can help inform first-time home buyers: 1. **Housing Affordability:** The house price-to-income ratio was unusually high during the 2008 crisis. If houses seem unaffordable based on local average incomes, it may be a sign of an overheated market. 2. **Mortgage Terms:** In the run-up to 2008, many homebuyers were offered, and accepted, complex mortgage products they didn’t fully understand, such as adjustable-rate mortgages. These can be risky, particularly if interest rates rise. Make sure you understand all the terms of your mortgage and can afford potential rate increases. 3. **Rapid Price Increases:** Rapid, unsustainable increases in home prices were a key feature of the pre-2008 housing market. Look at historical price trends; if prices have risen sharply in the recent past, it may be a sign of a bubble. 4. **High Debt Levels:** High levels of consumer and corporate debt were a factor in the 2008 crisis. Keep your own debt levels manageable, and beware if widespread debt levels are high, as it can contribute to economic instability. 5. **Down Payments:** Leading up to the crisis, many home buyers purchased homes with little to no down payment, which can increase the risk of default. A substantial down payment can reduce your monthly mortgage costs and provide a buffer if home prices fall. 6. **Economic Indicators:** Keep an eye on economic indicators like unemployment rates and GDP growth. Rising unemployment and slowing growth can indicate a weakening economy, which could affect the housing market.
Remember, the decision to buy a home should be based on your personal situation, including financial stability, long-term plans, and the local housing market conditions. It’s always a good idea to get advice from a financial advisor or real estate professional.
This result is amazing, but while the above is technically correct, would it benefit a new home buyer who is not savvy enough to understand some of these concepts?
Having worked in the mortgage lending industry and witnessed the financial crash in 2008, here’s my advice without the use of AI:
1. Avoid FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is a bad reason to invest and often the motivation for new investors. When markets quickly rise due to speculation, shifts in supply versus demand, or market hype, this can indicate an asset bubble.
As new home buyers question, “Are home prices rising faster than in the past, and is this becoming an emotional decision versus part of your long-term plan?”
2. Think long-term: If you plan on being in the home for less than five years, do NOT buy unless you want to be a speculator and are willing to accept bankruptcy if the market changes. My preference for homeownership is for 10+ years. As selling costs, moving expenses, and other factors will easily decrease equity in your home.
As new home buyers question, “Is this a home I see living in for a while?”
3. Calculate affordability: Determine your monthly budget for a new home based on the current fixed mortgage rates. Do NOT get a variable rate mortgage as future payments can increase, and you may not be able to afford your home. Think of what you can afford now and lock that mortgage payment for at least five years (preferably 10+ years).
As new home buyers question, “How much will the monthly mortgage payments, strata fees (if condo), taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs add up, and will you have enough money to pay your other expenses and still save money for future needs (i.e. children, retirement, travel, etc.) and emergencies?”
4. Maintain equity: Strive to put at least 20% down into your home if you can afford that amount. Do not buy if you cannot put at least 10%, but realize the payments will increase as banks will want mortgage insurance for anything less than 20% as the banks have determined this low down payment as a risky investment and a potential for bankruptcy. In addition, avoid taking out any home equity loan that increases the Loan To Value (LTV) by over 80% (house value/mortgage balance)
As new home buyers ask, “Based on my affordability (previous advice), have we saved enough for at least 10% and included the mortgage insurance or have the minimum 20%?”
5. BONUS – Get Unemployment Insurance: The future is unpredictable, and if someone in the household loses a job, the house may become unaffordable. For protection, you can get insurance covering your payments in the event of unemployment and even sickness. This insurance increases monthly expenses and adds to affordability in point 3 (above).
As new home buyers question, “Could we afford to stay in our home if someone got seriously sick or lost their job?”
So I ask you, the reader… which advice do you prefer?
Does AI replace expertise?
Where is AI assisting human writing?
AI writing technologies such expert systems such as GPT-3 have already been deployed to assist traditional human writing. However, the aim is not to phase out human writers but to make their work more efficient and effective. To be clear, AI writing technology will create content that will always be of lower quality than human writers. However, AI writing tools can help writers with the repetitive tasks of researching, outlining, and creating content drafts, speeding up the writing process and increasing productivity.
Think of AI as a productivity boost for human writers to create more content efficiently.
AI writing – benefits and drawbacks
The benefits of AI writing technology are numerous. AI writing software allows writers to produce more content, save time, and improve content quality. Content created through AI writing solutions is free of human error, spelling, grammar, and syntax errors, and are consistently structured throughout the paper. However, the quality of the content is an issue many have with AI writing technology. The content generated by the software is highly dependent on the input data set fed into it, making it susceptible to bias. Additionally, it lacks the creativity and nuances that come with expertise in a particular field.
Humans provide value that other humans prefer, while AI is good at summarizing massive amount of raw data or a well-written albeit boring synapse.
The future of AI in Writing
AI writing software is redefining the writing industry in ways never seen before. As AI writing technologies continue to advance, the impact of these technologies is only set to increase in the writing space. The rise of AI-powered writing virtual assistants, such as the Grammarly app, is just the beginning of what AI can offer writers. In addition, we are seeing tools like ChatGPT, Jasper AI, and others. In the future, AI writing software will become more sophisticated and nuanced. AI writing assistants will be able to help writers with stylistic improvements and give content recommendations based on their writing style and tone.
AI is redefining the writing industry by making it more efficient and effective. However, it is not a replacement for human creativity and expertise in writing. AI writing tools promise to be a panacea for all the problems that writers face, but they are not without their challenges. By understanding the benefits and drawbacks of AI writing technology, writers can leverage it to create better content quickly. AI is set to become an integral part of the writing industry, providing valuable assistance to writers in creating and editing content and improve the quality of content in the writing industry.
Fusing Human Expertise With AI
As humans, we provide value to others as we can assess an assignment, look for insight, research the information, and then craft content that may be useful. Human interaction is essential as we create value, and that’s hard to replace with intelligent machines. If so, humanity becomes irrelevant as the Singularity AI takes over.
The view of artificial intelligence as a run-away super artificial intelligence, is similar to the 1960s idea of a society of flying cars. My biggest fear is that corporations with advanced AI will dominate the market and reduce the competitiveness of small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit of a free society.
I hope many small businesses adopt AI tools to increase their competitiveness and productivity, thus providing a more diverse range of products and services.
Writing is more than an algorithm and capturing massive and vast amounts of information. Writing takes human expertise representing knowledge or research in a subject material (information) and then tailors it into a consumable product for a target audience (knowledge). This process requires human intervention, and this will not change anytime soon.
Even today, an executive’s corporate report likely results from analysts, consultants, spreadsheets, and administrative assistants. However, the executive has identified the key topics, coordinated the effort, reviewed the results, and revised the content before releasing it to the shareholders.
The executive is still the owner of the content, but a competent executive would only release a report with active involvement in creating the content using their knowledge representation their expertise.
Hence, the human perspective needs to add value to a body of knowledge. AI is the tool for brainstorming, research training data mine, and specific inquiries. Businesses that use AI will find it useful to enhance productivity, but at this stage, it is far from replacing human expertise.
AI is a tool, not a replacement!
