I used AI to write content for the very first time – and it’s no one-prompt task

I’ve been categorically against AI to write content. Not because I’m insecure about its abilities as a writer, but because I do not want my brain cells to rot.

The effort, challenge, and even frustration that is borne out of trying to learn something new, or seek more information about something, is a part of life I do not wish to sacrifice to an instant assistant.

Heck, even instant noodles aren’t that instant. All things naturally take time.

Recently though, a client wished to use AI to write a large number of articles within a short span of time. This was an explicit request, and one which I got for the first time in my career (or rather, since the mainstream popularisation of generative AI).

Most of my assignments don’t expect me to depend on a specific AI-powered tool (yes, really) so this was new.

I got to work. And what I noticed was quite eye-opening. I share four such realisations here.

1. Writing articles with AI can slash turnaround times – practically in half

This is hands-down the biggest advantage of AI, and also why most flock to it. An entire article, report, or even strategy in 30 seconds? Bring it on!

Of course, it’s a game-changer. If you can slash turnaround times in half, you also slash costs in half. The more the merrier, right?

Outputs that take seconds is a benefit that many businesses are willing to accept, and for good intentions.

2. There is a ton of editing involved – and you can’t escape from it

This was the most sobering realisation. Just like everyone else, I assumed all I had to do was deliver a prompt, and ChatGPT would do all the heavy lifting for me. I’d have a neatly written article ready within a few seconds, with only a little polishing required on my part, at best.

My oh my, was I wrong! While most of the baseline content was actually on par, there was much that needed fine-tuning. In some cases, a complete overhaul. That was the editor in me, finding flaws even with a quick skim read, and telling myself that there’s no way I can ever approve this for submission.

So I got to work, cutting, chopping, rewriting, and replacing. That took a significant amount of my time, AND it was brain-hurting – just like any editorial review that tells you a piece of writing needs significant adjustments.

Also read: Even if brands know what to do – not all of them follow through

3. AI makes mistakes – so don’t take it at face value

If you ask ChatGPT about something it knows little of (or nothing at all), it’s not going to plead ignorance. At the very least, it’ll direct you to something that it thinks could be related to what you’re referring to.

This is essentially what happened when I asked it to build a listicle for me. Yes, it did build a list. But what it also did was fabricate a bunch of false claims and weave it within otherwise truthful bits of information – all the while staying tight-lipped about the fact that it was doing this.

So it was up to me to sift through each statement, and manually research if each claim made was indeed factually accurate. This is the part of AI that is less talked about, compared to the wonders it can do. And doing that, is painting an incomplete picture – and putting it up for viewing.

Also read: Top four signs of a good marketer

4. AI needs direction – it’s an assistant, not a leader

When you get AI to write for you, you’re an editor, not a writer. As a result, be ready to not just cut and chop where appropriate, but also provide context and direction where needed.

This is where many writers are tested on their editorial abilities. Generically written AI articles reflect little to no direction, while something specific and useful (yet AI generated) tells much about leadership qualities your writer (ahem, future editor) has.

This proves the fact that not everybody knows how to make the most of AI – it all boils down to each individual’s level of perception, and attention to detail. Indirectly, it also reveals who is worthy enough of a promotion, thanks to their leadership abilities.

Just sayin’.

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