What Do I Still Use AI For?

AI remains an excellent resource for clarifying unfamiliar concepts. Recently, while preparing for university exams, I often encountered terms and theories that required further explanation. I would prompt AI for a succinct overview, and it consistently delivered clear, insightful responses.

Moreover, I could enhance my understanding by asking AI to relate new information to concepts I was already familiar with. This approach allowed me to build upon my existing knowledge effectively.

One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to streamline repetitive tasks. During my university studies, I was only required to achieve a passing grade of 40% in my first year. This leniency enabled me to leverage AI to create flashcards for exam revision. By inputting content from my lecture materials, I allowed AI to summarize and format the flashcards, saving me hours of manual work and enabling me to dedicate more time to writing.

What I No Longer Use AI For and My New Approaches

While many serious creators advise against using AI for writing, I previously supported its utility in aspects like idea generation, outlining, and text transformation. However, I've shifted my stance. It's vital to harness your own creativity to develop everything from your writing's outline to the vocabulary and formatting.

Your unique experiences and personality should shine through in your work. Relying on AI for outlining was initially appealing due to the well-structured outputs it provided. Yet, I found these outlines lacking in depth, similar to the generic nature of AI-generated content.

The arrangement of sections in an article significantly impacts audience engagement and the emphasis placed on key points. AI lacks the nuanced understanding that you possess regarding these dynamics. Trust yourself to craft compelling outlines, which can only improve through consistent practice and engagement with your audience.

For a long time, I viewed AI as a valuable tool for generating content ideas. However, I've recently recognized that relying on AI for generic suggestions does not substitute for a robust idea-capturing system. After writing extensively, ideas will naturally come to you, especially with a reliable system in place to capture them.

I recommend having a method to record ideas as they arise. Personally, I use Todoist on my phone and laptop for quick digital captures, along with a notebook by my bedside to jot down thoughts that come to me at night without the distraction of screens.

I also have a newsletter that delves into my idea-capturing strategies and the rationale behind them.

In a previous article, I discussed using AI for feedback on your writing, which can indeed be helpful if you find yourself stuck. You can ask AI for suggestions based on your existing content, potentially providing the nudge you need to overcome writer's block. However, this issue should be infrequent, as the outlines you create will guide your writing process.

It's crucial to develop your own style and voice; relying on AI to rewrite your work can dilute your uniqueness. The most I use when writing is a grammar checker for spelling and basic errors. I prefer to discover my voice through personal exploration rather than through automated suggestions.

Consider this: if AI were no longer available, would you still produce the same quality of work? If the answer is no, it’s time to take greater ownership of your writing.

While I recognize my imperfections, I believe in the value of learning and improving rather than depending on AI to mask my shortcomings.

This article may come across as a bit of a rant, but it’s important to acknowledge that while AI has its uses, when it comes to writing, it’s essential to infuse your work with what makes you human. Otherwise, your individuality will diminish, leading to less engaging writing.

Thanks for reading!