Category: Writing

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Unlocking Creative Potential? Should We Trust AI?

Artificial Inteligence. Should we trust AI

Use AI to remain competitive or hold fast as the last bastion of humanity, potentially getting left behind? Should we trust AI?

Could AI really be “Public Enemy No.1”?

There is no disputing it. We are living in the era of technological revolution. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is changing the way we live, communicate and work. It seems however that the deeper we go into this AI revolution, the more uneasy some people seem to feel. Perhaps much of this distrust has been fuelled by the likes of the Terminator franchise of movies. But there also remains the fact that jobs are already being laid on the altar of so-called “progress”. So should We Trust AI?

The unease has been steadily growing. Should we trust AI?

This unease has only grown amongst the writer community of late. Thanks in part to the advent of AI based writing tools that are delivering undetectable content. Well at least they are indistinguishable from human generated text when viewed by a machine.

But most of us living and breathing human readers, can spot an AI article as quickly as you can say: “Copy-paste”. 

This is mainly due to the fact that AI writing simply lacks soul. Its rhythms and nuances are machine-like, logic based, almost mathematical. It’s just too vanilla. And It could just as easily be written by a German car engineer. Rather than through the flamboyance of an artistic author like you or me.

Aren’t we being a little melodramatic?

Although some do indeed look upon AI with dread, worrying that it might replace us as human writers. We ought to take a step back before we throw the baby out with the bath water. Should we really cast AI into outer darkness? Relegating it to the place of foe, before we’ve given it even the slightest chance to potentially shine as a friend?

We’re Irreplaceable Baby

Due to AI’s lack of soul, it will never be able to fully replicate us nor replace us. It simply can’t feel the way we do. It can’t tell you what it feels like, to wake up in the morning with a head still half full of sleep. Craving that morning cup of coffee. 

The sensation you experience as your lips meet the rim of that mug and you take the first sip. AI might happen to know, through its assistant microphones… That as we take that first sip, we let out the almost involuntary expression of “Ahh”. But it really has no idea why.

How about the euphoric feeling as you walk out into the morning air. The sunlight dancing upon your cheeks, as you breathe in the morning freshness. The contrast of cool air and warm sunlight instantly makes you smile. You feel alive because you are alive! 

Need I even mention the moments when your watching a movie, so well directed and acted, that you find yourself welling up in tears. That’s what we know and feel. That’s something a machine will never know and never feel.

  • So are we justified in feeling threatened?
  • Should we abandon our dystopian fears to the wind?
  • Should we trust AI?

These are all valid questions that are still begging to be answered. Tell us what you think in the comments section.

Don’t worry about tomorrow, today has enough trouble of its own

As writers who are amateurs and professionals alike, we have an opportunity to acknowledge, harness and utilize AI services. We can deploy them as helpful tools assisting us to enhance our skills and create new opportunities to express ourselves.

From improving writing performance, to inspiring creative vision

when we’re trying to write the proverbial golden goose article, that just keeps on laying the golden eggs. 

Image created with www.kittl.com

AI provides the potential for us as writers to excel beyond what we otherwise would. In a fast paced, quick changing, competitive environment, it could potentially give us the edge we need to truly shine.

Streamlining the Writing Process to produce better content

AI services like Koala.sh and Blogify.ai are revolutionizing writing processes through the automation of what we have always had to do the hard way. The research, the collation, fleshing out the article structure, dividing paragraphs, spell checking, adding subheadings in the right places. These otherwise menial tasks can now be automated with the aid of powerful AI algorithms.

Their use can provide guidelines, propose amendments and even automate the entire writing process. Adding AI generated images, headlines, article layout and even providing filler content. 

The writers who utilize these tools can work more efficiently, 

save time, and then focus on replacing the filler content with their own exceptional writing, changing out the soulless AI placeholder headings for their own catchy well thought out headings. Replacing the machine like paragraphs with their own stories and real human experiences. Adding the human touch, adding their personal flare, their unique style, their panache and their passion.

Better than a spell checker! AI can actually enhance our writing quality

Another area that AI tools can help us truly shine, is in the area of writing quality. Among the AI-powered tools that are accessible for improving the quality of writing are Grammarly, Quilbot and Otter.ai. Whether it’s correcting grammatical errors, increasing readability, or transcribing oral materials into text.

These AI services are powerful companions

They are services that can actually help us writers on our journey. Through their use as authors, we’re empowered to sharpen our prose, perfect our style, and ultimately engage our audiences with better crafted, more engaging content.

Unleashing your creativity! Loosing the shackles of the mundane

The creativity and innovation AI brings to writing has moved beyond conventional writing assistance. Websites such as Anywords.ai allow writers to use AI-generated prompts to develop new ideas and move past writers block. Then you have AI art generators such as Kittl which is like Canva on steroids. 

AI music composers, photo upscalers like ImgLarger which is able to upscale an image to 8K resolution with no degradation in quality, thanks to its advanced AI algorithms. 

And Text-to-Video services like Invideo which open up all sorts of new avenues, easily adding the edge to your articles or blog posts.

And then you have the likes of Wondershare who offer a complete suite of AI tools. Everything from Filmora which is their flagship video editing product to PDFElement which is their impressive PDF editor are now all impregnated with their powerful iteration of AI functionality. 

All of this enables us as writers to explore diverse types of creativity apart from the usual text-based content. 

These tools not only expand the field of creative input but also inspire us as writers to be more experimental. Expanding our opportunities to cross the limits of our craft. The utility and functionality they provide can quickly turn an otherwise dry article, into an information powerhouse. Filled with relevant images, videos and even music to match the overall feel of the article.

After looking at these benefits, the elephant, whilst now nicely dressed in a pink tutu is still delicately pirouetting across the room: Should we trust AI? 

Do we use AI to remain competitive? Or do we hold fast as the last bastion of humanity, potentially getting left behind in the process? Perhaps we need to look at what else AI is able to offer.

Fostering collaboration and accessibility for those who need it most

AI driven collaborative tools like otter.ai give way to smooth communication and coordination between writers, editors, and stakeholders. Through digital meeting, interview and brainstorming transcription. These technologies make sure that the valuable ideas and insights are recorded accurately no matter where people are.

Services like… 

  • VoiceOver: The screen reader directly integrated on iPhones. 
  • TalkBack: The equal of VoiceOver but for Android smartphones. 
  • Siri: iPhone’s famous virtual assistant. 
  • Cortana: The virtual assistant made by Microsoft and used on Windows. 
  • Google Assistant: Google’s app activated by voice control, and integrated in Google Nest speakers and Google Home products. 

These are all services and devices that utilize the power of AI to provide greater accessibility and inclusivity to those most vulnerable amoungst us.

Dispelling misconceptions, sure! But should we trust AI?

AI services, which undoubtedly bear many benefits, are still a source of anxiety for many. The level of distrust in relation to the writing profession is almost palpable. Nevertheless, it remains that AI is only an extension and facilitation of our own human creativity. It cannot and never will be a replacement for it.

Through AI collaboration, we as writers can use technology to supplement our strengths. 

We can bypass our weaknesses and discover new facets of our creativity. Embracing AI doesn’t have to mean lowering our human quality of writing. Rather, it has the potential to make us as writers, more imaginative and creative than ever before, by freeing us from the more mundane, task oriented aspects of writing.

In closing, lets boost our writing!

AI services open great prospects for writers to take themselves to the next level. Producing remarkable work in a world where creativity and innovation are in a state of constant flux. By adopting AI as writers, we’re optimizing our work efficiency. We’re boosting our writing quality, unleashing our creativity and promoting our collaboration to the next level.

Take a look at this article we wrote outlining the usefulness of some of these AI tools. 

It’s truly incredible what can be achieved. In a fraction of the time it would have taken to manually create the same content. So should we trust AI? Click the link below to read on.

AI Revolution
There is no disputing it. We’re living in the era of AI revolution. It’s not too often that you come across a piece of disruptive…sites.getthe.info

What mind blowingly amazing AI tools have you discovered? Don’t say ChatGPT or Google Gemini or Bing Copilot… As I’m pretty sure we’d have to be living under a rock to not have already heard about those 🤣 But what other impressive AI tools have you discovered?

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This article contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission if you click on any of these links. Images created with www.kittl.com

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And Then…

And Then

Curiosity killed the cat. Our susceptibility to suggestibility

Have you ever seen the movie “Dude Where’s My Car?” specifically the scene where they pull up to order some Chinese Takeaways. The hilarity ensues as one of the characters, Jesse (played by Ashton Kutcher) places his order. The Chinese woman on the other end of the intercom simply says: “And then”.

Agreeably he adds rice to his order of garlic chicken. She then continues with another: “And then”. Looking up at the menu he sheepishly suggests to his companions: “Want some wonton soup?” They all agree and with a look of determination and finality in his eyes, he adds the soup to his order. Unfazed, she simply continues with: “And then”. The fun continues again and again until eventually he destroys the intercom.

Where am I going with this? Nowhere really! I was just reminiscing about a funny movie scene that I watched some 20 odd years ago. But hey! It is the morning! And the morning is when I like to simply write whatever is on my mind. I afford myself the freedom of just flowing. I let my thoughts spill onto the keyboard, simply seeing where it all ends up. It just so happens that “And then” is currently on my mind.

So in the noble effort of redeeming the time. What can we learn from “And Then”? What nuggets of gold or pearls of wisdom can we extract from this tiny slice of the collective consciousness of populist culture? 

Perseverance perhaps?

Yes, that’s a good start! The literary flatulence I could exhaust about that! No, no, no! It’s far too early in the morning for motivational diatribe.

Hmm, let’s see, less obvious, but far more consequential in its impact, might be the whole suggestibility of “And then”. Yes! That’s it! 

Suggestibility! Now there is an interesting topic.

Just how suggestible are we really? How open are we to being influenced to buy things we didn’t initially want? To do things we didn’t initially intend to do? Say things we didn’t intend to say? Write things we didn’t intend to write?

I never intended to write this article, yet here I am. Was I influenced to write this article? Perhaps you could say I was influenced by a movie 20 odd years ago. But more importantly, what suggested the current remembrance of it? What triggered my brain to regurgitate the amusing memory of “And then”?

It’s a known phenomenon, that hanging a portrait behind an honesty jar, increases the rate of honest payers. It’s the psychological effect of knowing those eyes are watching. Regardless of whether they are alive or just printed on photo paper. Either way those eyes are watching, piercing the would-be thieves dishonest soul. 

There it is right there. The suggestion that someone is watching, reminds the would-be thief that they might get caught. This in turn causes their return to morality and the restoration of their honesty. Its classic cause and effect.

Ohh the power of suggestion! It’s the power of the upsell, the downsell, the sideways sell. I’m tempted to grab a sound bite of “And then” and add it to my add to cart buttons, so that whenever someone clicks add to cart, it simply plays in the background. What a hoot that would be! Funny. Yes! But it most likely would result in a flurry of abandoned carts. Sorry, I digress. Back to the topic at hand. Suggestibility!

What did you want when you drove up at my window and clicked on the title of my article? You’ve placed your order of curiosity. But now I’m asking you “And then”?

What else will you order from my menu?

“And then”.

Perhaps a like?

“And then”.

Ohh yes! A follow.

“And then”.

Perhaps a few reads of my articles?

“And then”.

Maybe a purchase or two from my affiliate links.

“And then”.

And then what? What else do I want from you? And then, And then, And then, And then, And then!” Gosh I think it’s time for my morning coffee. Sorry to seem so cynical, but isn’t that just what society has become. A neverending treadmill of consumerism. Where we are all being collectively used for our purchasing power, our clicks, our attention and views.

Can I suggest this morning that you unplug from the suggestibility matrix for just a few moments. Simply go out of your way today to make someone else’s day. Send the “I love you” message. Order the flowers. When ordering your coffee, pay for the next person in line and leave enough change to tip the barista. Book the restaurant. Schedule the focused quality time. Call your Mom. And then?

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It Is Written

As we are all well aware, writing is a creative outlet that allows us to express our mind, our will and our emotions – our soul as we like to call it. In a way that is tangibly unique. It allows us to vent, to express, to emote, to share. Writing is good for the soul. 

The phrase “The pen is mightier than the sword” is true on many levels, including the desire to express oneself in a much less bloodthirsty way. Recently I was somewhat shocked to learn through an Ancestry DNA test, that I have a sizeable chunk of Norseman blood flowing through my veins. 

At least now I can understand why I seem to glaze over, that glint in my eye, every time I go to split some firewood or chop some kindling. It’s the feel of that axe in my hand, the way it flows, the way it moves so easily through the air. That satisfying impact as it splits the log. It just feels so good in my hands. Who would have thought that it may actually be  an ancient genetic disposition?

Whilst I rarely hold an actual pen at all these days. Oddly enough, I feel the same rush that I do when I’m holding an axe. As my fingers slowly extend, ever so delicately settling upon the keys of the keyboard. The sensation, as each fingertip sensitively detects the edges of each key, feels somewhat electric. 

My hands instinctively positioning themselves with full autonomy. Each finger finding its station, like a pianist readying themselves, finding the notes necessary to commence making music. With my fingers now poised. My mind is clear. I listen to my soul. 

That familiar sense, like some old genetic trait flowing back to life, comes flowing down my arms, through my hands, down my fingers and just like that, I’m typing with voracity and impunity. 

Writing allows a form of expression that is hard to replicate. And typing in particular, adds a mechanical flair, a touch of uniformity and precision, that is ill afforded by my messy handwriting. Not only that, but typing adds a level of efficiency, and in my case, the often necessary correct-ability, that only a true typist can fully appreciate. 

When one can type faster than one can speak, entering a mystical realm of productivity where moments can stretch into minutes, minutes into hours and hours into a whole day, quicker than you can say: “Ragnarok!” as you start your epic saga.

Writing can be likened to turning the tap and opening the way for the built up pressure in our souls to flow. Freeing the creativity caged within us. Ushering it through the labyrinth of our mind. We gently nurture it, encourage it, coaxing it along, ever so gently out of the safety and comfort of our internal world. 

Then suddenly, like a rude awakening, we shove it out into the harsh, exposing light of reality to meet its fate. Leading it to find its way out of us. We unleash its new found, innocent joy into the wild of this world. 

For a brief moment we feel its power, we feel its life, its essence as we let it go. Whilst we’re ultimately oblivious to where it will end up, nor are we sure if it will ever return to us. We set it free like a child finally leaving home, to venture into the great unknown.

Armed with this understanding, we begin to comprehend the power of the written word. We begin to perceive its natural flow from spirit to speech, from spoken word to written word. And then from the written word, back into spoken word. It’s here that we see its true form, its essence, its power and its life. It was with this spiritual authority, that even Jesus Himself spoke, as He said the famous words: “It is written…” 

But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

When dealing with the devil, Jesus did not lean on His own authority, yet He had every right to do exactly that. No instead He leaned upon the power of the written Word and used the surety of such, to speak the spoken Word, thereby driving away the devil with all of his deceitful trickery.

Personally, I think we often underestimate the true power of our words. So let me take this opportunity… Please afford me this small pleasure, as you read these living words of mine. Let deep call unto deep – Allow me to remind you…

You are loved. 

You are treasured beyond the scope of what my limited vocabulary can express. There is a place for you. You belong. You’re accepted. You are valued. And yes you really do matter. You are making a difference for everyone around you. You were created to shine the light. So let your light shine! There has never been another you, nor will there ever be another like you. The people of this world need you. Without you this world would be lacking, unfulfilled and empty. We need you. We want you. 

Just like that creative thought that was once let loose through the labyrinth of my mind. Expressed through my soul, my mind, will and emotions. Unleashed upon the vast wilderness of this earth. Likewise God Himself is waiting for that day, when you, His masterpiece of creative expression, will one day return to Him.

The real question is; What will you discover along the way? What marks will you leave on this world? What legacy will live on beyond you? What words will you leave behind for others to read? Your words speaking into the recesses of their minds, formulating thought. Breathed back into words, to yet again speak.

Will someone, one day, read your words and say: “It is written”?