Last Updated on by Michael Brockbank
Since the beginning of 2023, AI-generated content has swept across the Internet like some kind of digital wildfire. And although it may be helpful to some, I refuse to dive into the abyss that is artificial intelligence. But it’s not because I’m old and hate anything new.
It’s a technology that I don’t believe has any place in creative expression. Yes, I’m also anti-AI when it comes to generating artwork.
Why I Won’t Use AI-Generated Content
I understand why some people turn to artificial intelligence to create blog posts or books. It’s a quick and easy way to get something immediately published.
You’d think for someone like me that I would be the first one to jump all over ChatGPT. Yet, you’d be ultimately wrong.
It’s true that I feel overwhelmed most weeks due to the sheer amount of content I create. But I would still rather give everything up than turn it over to algorithms and coding.
1. Devalues the Work of Freelance Writers
Why pay for freelancers when you can just have AI-generated content for free? Although some might think I’m being hyperbolic, I’ve started to see this from clients.
In fact, I was told by one of my clients that they’ll just use AI for some of the “lesser” articles. And yes, I’ve been fighting them on this tooth and nail.
The bottom line is that freelancers can’t compete with the speed of a bot.
From a business perspective, most will use the cheapest option possible. This is why you see a lot of freelance writers on content mills who don’t make as much per word.
Most of these writers will continue to undercut each other until the value of the work is less than what they’d make as a cart collector at Walmart.
Now add AI into the mix. Business clients are already starting to test the waters, and AI is only going to get better over time.
2. Takes Away from the Experience
I am a writer. I know this because writing is the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning. It’s been a part of my life for an exceptionally long time.
I love to create, whether it’s a WordPress tutorial or my next novel. It fills me with joy, wonderment, and is exceptionally therapeutic.
Why on Earth would I use AI-generated content to take away from that experience?
Would it save me a ton of time throughout the week? Absolutely. Is it worth losing who I am just so I could save some time? Absolutely not.
Even if I would only use AI for a few paragraphs, that is writing that is taken away from me. And I know I wouldn’t look at myself the same way after the fact.
3. I Love to Learn New Things
A lot of people will use AI-generated content to shave time off from learning something new. From coming up with coding examples to providing “information” in a blog post, AI takes away the educational element of being a writer.
One of the reasons why I excelled as a writer on Textbroker is because of my thirst for knowledge. I don’t mind spending hours upon hours to represent myself or my client as an expert.
This kind of goes with the running joke in my family that I’m always right. The fact is that I’m rarely wrong. That’s because I don’t contribute to a conversation unless I know something as fact.
I know, it makes me sound a bit conceited. But I’ve gone through life with the mindset of it’s better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open my mouth and remove all doubt.
It’s an old saying, to be sure. But it’s had its advantages in countless conversations.
4. I’d Rather Be Proud of My Accomplishments
I’m exceptionally proud of the things I’ve accomplished over the years. I’ve published my first book, nearing the completion of the second, while hitting the top Google positions for a myriad of blog topics.
Not to mention being able to (kind of) manage so many blogs, books, and YouTube channels throughout the week.
By letting AI create the content for me, I wouldn’t be as proud of the things I’ve accomplished. And I’d rather earn my keep than have it given to me on a silver platter.
I’m like that in virtually all aspects of my life, though. Even when playing video games online, I’d rather work for those awesome treasures and loot than for someone to just give it to me.
It’s all about sitting back and looking at the body of work knowing that I created it myself. If I write a best-selling book, I don’t have to share credit with a bot.
5. I’m Not About Instant Gratification
Despite the rest of the world wanting everything right now, I’m not one to dwell on instant gratification. I don’t mind taking my time to create something amazing.
Using content that is AI-generated is just another example of shortcuts taken because people are too impatient.
Instead of taking the time to learn something new or schedule time to write, some are too eager to get content now just by plugging a few queries into a field.
As with everything else, I don’t mind the grind. Especially considering just how much I can learn in the process, which only makes me that much better of a writer.
Practice makes perfect. Would you rather practice being a prompt engineer, or hone your skills to write without assistance?
6. I Feel Like it’s Cheating, Somehow
Having artificial intelligence help me write would make me feel like I was cheating. Mostly because I promote myself as an expert who handles way too much during any given week.
I spent hours upon hours learning how to write in AP Style English and SEO content writing. That is knowledge that I have acquired to further my career.
Nowadays, people with a fraction of my skill can create content with the AI shortcut. And some may get away with making more than I do every year.
Or, the ones who publish a book on Amazon in a fraction of the time and manage to make more in sales.
Regardless, using AI-generated content would make me feel guilty in a variety of ways.
7. Still Problematic with Terms & Facts
Lastly, putting all of your eggs in one basket is never a good idea. I’ve seen a few new freelancers who try to pass off AI-generated content riddled with false information.
If I have to take the time to verify the information and rewrite segments, I might as well just write the article myself.
Sure, AI will eventually get better and provide solid data. But in the meantime, not everything created by various AI is accurate.
This isn’t to mention that you’re putting faith that the AI is pulling data from reputable, trustworthy, and factual sources. Unfortunately, the Internet isn’t exactly full of factual outlets.
What About Grammar and Keyword Tools?
Some will argue that there is a degree of AI in grammar and keyword tools. I would consider these as a separate entity.
For one thing, a grammar checker such as Grammarly is scanning the content that I am writing. For the most part, I use it as a spellchecker and thesaurus.
It saves me from Googling synonyms throughout a blog post. However, I still use Google A LOT for definitions and synonyms when working on my book.
The point is that these tools scan what I am creating, not some bot.
As for keyword tools, they are simply showing me what people are looking for throughout the month. It’s still up to me to put the content together.
Not only that, but it’s up to me to put the content together in a way that meets search intent.
The bottom line is that any writing aid I use is basing suggestions and fixes on the words that I created for the content, not something that was generated by AI algorithms.
If people enjoy the post or book, then I can congratulate myself on delivering what they wanted.
I Would Fire Writers for Turning In AI-Generated Content
If I discover one of my writers turning in blog posts written by artificial intelligence, I would fire them. I am paying for your talent, expertise, and personality. If I wanted AI-generated content, I’d do it myself.
In fact, lately, I’ve been using AI detectors as part of the content acceptance procedure. This is to help determine that we’re actually paying someone for their time and experience.
From my perspective, AI-generated content is lazy writing. And I have little respect for someone who would cut corners just to get something out quickly.
If you’re not taking the time to create the content yourself, then I might as well just use the AI and replace you altogether. It would save me a ton of money, right?
The bottom line is that I want your talent, personality, and experience. That’s what I’m paying for, and that’s what I expect.
How Often Do You Use AI-Generated Content?
I know this post was pretty anti-AI in general. And I do understand how some folk think they need to use platforms like ChatGPT to compete against superior writers and authors. But the loss of the human element is something I don’t condone.
So, if you use AI-generated content, it’s not that I think you’re a despicable person. But I won’t hold you in the same regard as someone who puts in the effort to create something themselves.
Artificial intelligence is fun to play with, but perhaps avoid it when writing something that has your name as the author.
Have you tried AI-generated content recently? What do you think are some pros and cons of artificial intelligence?
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