Do you object to any and all use of AI? I find the thought of using AI to generate text for publication very distasteful, but I could see it being helpful to a writer in research, i.e., using it like the ship computers are used on Star Trek, which is to say like a souped-up search engine.
I think it needs a LOT more work before it’s useful in that sense. I tried to use it for research and half of the information was incorrect. I think of it like Wikipedia. Wikipedia a terrible source because anyone anywhere can edit it to say whatever they want. But it’s a good starting place for research. AI is similar - it gathers all its information from the web, even if it’s wrong, and presents it as fact. So a terrible source, but a good starting point.
Apr 12, 2023·edited Apr 12, 2023Liked by Jennifer Billock
I had more luck with the series of inquiries I attempted, but I still believe you're right. No way would I take it for granted that an AI-generated answer was correct without vetting it. Using AI as a "good starting point" seems like a smart practice for now. I guess that ChatGPT works better than a search engine for questions, but I go to search engines to find a source I trust to verify or take it further.
Do you object to any and all use of AI? I find the thought of using AI to generate text for publication very distasteful, but I could see it being helpful to a writer in research, i.e., using it like the ship computers are used on Star Trek, which is to say like a souped-up search engine.
I think it needs a LOT more work before it’s useful in that sense. I tried to use it for research and half of the information was incorrect. I think of it like Wikipedia. Wikipedia a terrible source because anyone anywhere can edit it to say whatever they want. But it’s a good starting place for research. AI is similar - it gathers all its information from the web, even if it’s wrong, and presents it as fact. So a terrible source, but a good starting point.
I had more luck with the series of inquiries I attempted, but I still believe you're right. No way would I take it for granted that an AI-generated answer was correct without vetting it. Using AI as a "good starting point" seems like a smart practice for now. I guess that ChatGPT works better than a search engine for questions, but I go to search engines to find a source I trust to verify or take it further.
My favorite AI moment so far is when I asked Bard (Google's AI) to write a six-word story about food, and not a single response was six words. Ha!
I use AI sometimes. I see what it comes up with to make sure I write something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ;)
The BEST use!