Alisa Caswell

graphic by author

Writing this week, I’ve been streaming a concert into my headphones called “American Outlaws, Live at Nassau Coliseum 1990” by the Highwaymen. I love it!

However, it stokes the worry I already carry: are we entering an era where we will lose the ability to access this depth of human talent and creativity?

This applies to music, visual arts, and books. Are you concerned as a reader?

Most writers I know are repulsed by the idea of using “generative A.I.” , that is, using A.I. to generate plots for you or even parts of the text itself.  It’s a little harder to sort out our varied opinions on the “grey” area of writing apps. Is it ok to use A.I. cover art? What about grammar tools that go a little further and “optimize” your language? A.I. voice for an audiobook?

I fear the loss of heart and soul in books. I fear the loss of revenue for writers, graphic artists, editors, agents, and everyone else in the book industry. But mostly I fear we will stop being human, feeling and experiencing the full texture of what it means to be alive on this very physical planet.

What are your thoughts about the increasing use of A.I. in the writing industry? What about full implementation – would you read a book written by A.I.?

What do you do to “keep it all real?”

Alisa Caswell is writer who lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Read her other articles at  “Confessions of a Dandelion Anarchist” or follow her on Facebook or Linked In.