In defence of writing – the human kind
Author: Debbie Forrester
As billions of us are using the same AI tools, we’re in danger of losing originality and imagination especially in creating written content. Editorial manager Debbie Forrester makes the case for the difference that authentic and relatable content makes within organisations, and to trust and engagement.
When a client said they hadn’t written an original word for months, instead plugging information and ideas into AI to generate copy, it got me thinking.
Just as map reading has become an archaic skill overtaken by a reliance on GPS and its inevitable dead-end roads, are original thought and smart writing going the same way?
AI technology is remarkable. It supports productivity by significantly reducing the time it takes to summarise reports, spell check your text and query your grammar. It has impressive abilities in generating text, music, art and product designs, making it a powerful assistant in brainstorming, prototyping and exploring creative possibilities.
Yet experts* are warning that as billions of people turn to the same AI tools for help, humanity is losing originality and becoming more predictable and less imaginative.
Large Language Models (LLMs) standardise how we speak, generating homogonous linguistic styles and perspectives. So people are increasingly using the same tone, vocabulary and complexity of language.
Heck, there’s even a bot you can use to humanise AI writing!
So as a writer with many decades of experience, am I threatened or intimidated? Or am I compelled to ‘fight the good fight’ for creatives everywhere when I point out that while AI is a useful tool, it can’t replace originality, nuance of language and perspective, not to mention authentic storytelling.
I’m fighting that fight!
I know that AI generated copy doesn’t always land with multiple audiences, nor can it seek out the stories that resonate with audiences to motivate thinking or action.
Diversity in language, perspective, and reasoning is not only vital to human creativity and problem-solving; it also carries rich personal and cultural information.
And what of credibility, authenticity and trust – all things internal communication reports and surveys constantly say are vital ingredients in creating engagement and the corporate glue that is culture?
At the end of the day, AI lacks consciousness, emotion and subjective experience. It lacks originality, intuition, cultural and audience context, and emotional depth.
For me, original, genuine, human writing can never be replaced when it comes to engaging with the melting pot of diverse individuals within all organisations.
Writing makes individuals think for themselves, articulate their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Writing is the cornerstone of collaboration, sparking feedback, debate and sharpening thinking both for the writer and the reader.
Writing effectively is not just about stringing words together to form a sentence. In this technological age, we know that people’s attention span is around five seconds, so every word has to count.
Effective writers choose words and sentence structures that leave no room for misinterpretation. They know how to structure content logically, so readers can follow the flow of information easily. Whether it’s writing for a leadership audience, a blog, feature, or a professional report, we understand your audience’s needs and expectations. We craft narratives that resonate, evoke emotions, create empathy, and make readers feel a part of that narrative.
For me, writing is not just the process of putting words on paper. It’s a form of expression that relies on a professional ability to convey ideas, engage readers, and connect with audiences on many different levels.
AI might be great for completing efficiency-focused tasks, but it doesn’t beat original thinking, emotional storytelling or deep knowledge of audiences when it comes to engaging audiences in an authentic, empathetic and relatable way.
For writing with depth, nuance and a human point of view, contact hello@sequelgroup.co.uk.
