Despite the warnings of virtually every science fiction book ever written, humanity continues to rush forward with new technologies without thinking about (or caring about?) potential consequences. Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI, is the latest technology with enormous potential to improve the human experience. But it comes with about two bazillion red flags.

Like most authors, I have a day job to help pay the bills so that I can write. And as it so happens, my day job has put me in touch with some of the smartest policymakers in the nation who are both excited about AI, but also working on policies to ensure its safe use.

At one conference, I asked about AI and one of my nagging issues with it. Tech like chatGPT is only successful because it essentially steals copywritten work from authors to train AI models. (A court is allowing publishers and authors to move forward with a complaint that “Open AI used their copyrighted works ‘to train their language models for commercial profit may constitute an unfair practice.'”)

The response I got was disappointing to say the least. In a nutshell, AI tech is moving forward so quickly, and stealing so much material, that it would bankrupt tech firms creating/using/training AI if they had to pay for fair use of copywritten material. (My response was, “Ok, that sounds fine with me.”) But based on that conversation, it sounds like the cat is out of the bag, and we are moving forward into uncharted territory.

(One story that gave me hope — generative visual AI is coming along so rapidly that it will soon be able to create Disney-like copies of real animated movies in the not-too-distant future. Major players like Disney and other movie studios have millions of dollars and mountains of lawyers that could address issues of intellectual property theft.)

As of now, we are in the wild west of artificial intelligence. The tech is moving too fast for our laws and courts to keep up. So what do we, writers and creatives, do? Is there an ethical way to use AI? I mean, isn’t spell check a kind of rudimentary artificial aid that can help make our writing better without altering the soul of our writing? Can or should we use chatGPT to generate ideas about, I dunno… posts on our websites? (I say yes.)

Naturally, I turned to chatGPT itself for some guidance. I asked it to look at my website and draft a post about AI and writing. Specifically, I prompted chatGPT to write a post “between 400 words and 500 words. Stress the dangers of AI, like chatGPT, for the broader writing and creative community. Include three tips for navigating the ethical considerations of using chatGPT.”

(NOTE: For me, I am against the use of AI for cover art/design, believing that such creative work should be done by human professionals. Same for writing. And I am glad more and more literary agents and publishers are specifically asking about the use of AI. Anything under my name is written by me, not chatGPT.)

Here is what it came up with. What do you think? Is this good advice? How do you use/not use AI in your work?

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT have rapidly gained popularity among writers, offering convenience, inspiration, and a new approach to content creation. However, as with any powerful tool, there are significant dangers associated with relying on AI for creative work, particularly for the writing community.

One of the most pressing concerns is the dilution of originality. AI, by its nature, generates content based on patterns and data from existing works. While this can produce remarkably coherent and creative outputs, it often results in writing that lacks genuine innovation or a personal touch. This raises the question: are we sacrificing true creativity for convenience? When writers rely too heavily on AI-generated content, they risk producing work that feels derivative, potentially flooding the market with uninspired or repetitive material.

Another significant danger is the ethical implications of using AI to mimic human creativity. AI models like ChatGPT learn from vast datasets, which include a myriad of copyrighted materials. While these models don’t directly copy text, they can generate content that closely resembles existing works, leading to potential issues of plagiarism. Writers must grapple with the moral responsibility of ensuring that their work remains original and does not inadvertently infringe on the intellectual property of others.

Moreover, there’s the threat to the creative job market. As AI continues to improve, the demand for human writers might decrease, particularly in industries that prioritize speed and cost over quality. This could lead to fewer opportunities for writers to earn a living, especially those just starting their careers. The creative community must consider the long-term implications of AI on employment and the value of human artistry.

Given these dangers, it’s crucial for writers to navigate the ethical considerations of using AI responsibly. Here are three tips to help you do so:

Use AI as a Supplement, Not a Substitute: AI tools should be used to enhance your creative process, not replace it. Consider using AI for brainstorming, overcoming writer’s block, or refining ideas, but ensure that the core of your work remains your own. Your unique voice and perspective are what make your writing stand out.

Stay Informed About Copyright Laws: As AI tools evolve, so do the legal frameworks surrounding them. Stay updated on copyright laws and best practices to ensure that your use of AI doesn’t inadvertently lead to plagiarism or the misuse of intellectual property.

Maintain Transparency with Your Audience: If you use AI in your creative process, be transparent about it with your readers. Acknowledging AI’s role in your work fosters trust and allows your audience to appreciate the blend of human and machine creativity. It also helps maintain ethical standards within the creative community.

In conclusion, while AI like ChatGPT can be a valuable asset for writers, it’s essential to remain mindful of its potential dangers. By using AI thoughtfully and ethically, we can ensure that our creative works remain original, impactful, and true to our unique human experiences.