“Was the article you last read written by a person or… AI?”
We tend to perceive that what we read is written by someone knowledgeable on a topic. But did a person write it, or did a robot write it?
Someone recently shared with me about an incredible technological advancement that could make my writing “easier.” An internet tool called Open AI is being used to write business articles, news events, and school essays and has trickled into inspirational blogs. In my first response, paranoia flooded my thoughts. “What will happen to the writers if robots do all the writing?” “Will writers use AI and lose their voice?” “Is there a hidden, bigger purpose we might not see?”
I had to create an account on this website before seeing what it did. Many websites today ask for an email address and sometimes name, age, and gender before you can have access to view them. We are a product being sold, and while it’s not our person, our information is of monetary worth to these websites. We so quickly click a box accepting terms of service when we don’t always read the lengthy legal jargon accompanied above the box or know precisely what we are allowing them to access. “Everyone else is using it, so it must be okay.”
Instead of being a naysayer, I wanted to check out AI to be informed rather than allow paranoia to rule my thoughts. It seemed simple. Type a question or topic in the box. I’m co-authoring a book for a non-profit, and that topic was my first thought, so I typed, “Write a short story about Running 4 Heroes.”
It took about ten seconds before a short story appeared on my screen about a boy named Jake, living in Kansas, who ran for events to raise money for first responders. It was scary how close it came to the “almost” truth in just ten seconds, but I was out to disprove its ability to do what I pour my heart into each day.
After seeing the misinformation (which they give a disclaimer up front telling the user that there may be mistakes), I wrote in the chat box, “His name is Zechariah, and he is from Winter Springs, you dork,” thinking, “Hah! I showed them….” I didn’t expect anything more to happen.
The robot fixed the false information within two seconds, and the short story test could have passed if I were writing an article or submitting a short blurb about this topic. While I am not opposed to technology and am amazed at how much time we save with specific tools, I try to remain focused on what God’s word tells me. I never want to miss what is essential in life.
But when I thought of how a few of my writer friends post a blog daily, I wondered how they found the time while continuing to juggle work and family responsibilities. I do well at writing a blog once or twice a month. My book writing takes up my daily writing time, and I couldn’t possibly read all my friends’ daily blog posts – I wish I had more time to read them, but there is only so much we can do in a day.
I thought about how this AI tool could help me have content to put on my Website and Facebook author page. No longer would I feel overwhelmed with work and obligations and not have the time to write a blog each day and stay relevant. Then, I envisioned myself standing with the devil on the top of a cliff as he showed me what could all be mine.
I saw this vast, wide treadmill of pavement moving across the globe with millions of crowded people, and instantly I heard my Father’s voice, “Psst! Over here… this is the way… walk in it.” I looked over at the tempted me who thought to join the crowd on that persistent pavement, step off to the side, and head toward the lush greenery and narrow path full of promise.
The story written by a robot sounded like a robot. I looked for the personable. Did it touch my heart? How would one relate to this writing? All it had was dry information. Nothing poignant, nothing that stirred my soul. It sounded like a news article – just the facts, ma’am.
The book I am co-authoring with the man who is experiencing the journey is real. It brings tears, inspiration, joy, and laughter. A robot cannot deliver emotion (and Alexa doesn’t even try – she’ll let you know she is incapable). My iRobot doesn’t vacuum in the path I want it to or pick up the one thing on the rug I noticed. These robots need our help. They are helpful but never as good as the real thing.
The one thing that makes us unique in this world is our heart. Who or what is our heart sold out to? Are we striving to fit in? To be like the world?
Using a tool to save time is terrific if we use the saved time as a gift – to do something from the heart. To touch lives, honor God, and reach out – to love. But using a tool to make our jobs easier, so we can do more jobs is like walking on a treadmill in a fast-paced world that cunningly steals more valuable time. We are given one day at a time—just one. We are not promised tomorrow, and though we might plan for our future, we must reserve thoughts that anything can change and that God might lead us to other opportunities. Are we watching? Are we listening? Do we care about the unloved and neglected?
Instead of keeping the pace of this world, how many of us have spent time with the shut-in? Or witness to those in prison? Or be a mentor to a displaced youth? The Bible asks us to remember them. How are we doing?
I don’t ask these questions to point a finger or to judge because many of us are considering others, ministering, reaching out, and showing love. But as our world moves forward at a fast pace to keep us from thinking, pondering, and considering, we must pause to keep ourselves in check. We must gauge our motives for what we spend so much of our time doing. If we don’t, we will become robotic like Alexa, iRobot, and Open AI – without effort or genuine love. God gave us brilliant minds, and technology isn’t bad – but it can never replace what God has called us to do.
I hope you enjoyed this article, but I ask you – are you sure I wrote it, or am I a robot?
[Insert wink here]