Minimizing the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Creative Projects
If you scroll through any social media website, you will likely come across material produced by artificial intelligence (AI). AI use has risen in recent years as technology has advanced, and its use has raised serious concerns.
There are different forms of AI. People use AI for all sorts of things, both in their personal life and at work. Some AI is helpful and increases productivity in a person’s industry. Other AI, however, replaces human creativity and hurts the writing and publishing industries.
While AI has its practical uses, extreme caution should be taken to make sure it does not replace human creativity. In the publishing industry, some publishers use and encourage AI use. This should be discouraged to the greatest extent possible.
The Types of AI
The types of AI available to the public are in two general groups: generative and non-generative. These two forms have crucial differences that change its acceptable uses and purposes. All AI relies on the users to write prompts to produce the desired product. There are nuances within these categories, but these are the basic categories.
Non-generative AI is traditional AI that uses computer programming to analyze already-existing information. Nothing new is created with general AI. This is especially helpful in industries with a lot of data or dense information that needs to be sorted. This was the first type of artificial intelligence that has steadily grown over time.
Generative AI is the form of artificial intelligence that creates new material. Whether text, images, videos, or anything else a computer can create, generative AI produces new content. Before generative AI, this all has to be created by the human mind. Now, anyone can enter a prompt to produce anything. However, this lacks the creative touch that a human would provide.
Computer Programs Cannot Replace Human Creativity
Human creativity is at the core of all media. Your favorite movies, books, theater, podcasts, and even clothes were planned, created, and produced by real humans. Countless hours were spent perfecting all of these, making it as close to the creator’s vision as possible. AI would certainly produce content with less of a human spark than anything else. Sometimes, even flaws or shortcomings are endearing and showcase humanity.
When you use generative AI to create text for publication, are you actually the author of the book? You are the one with the idea and who created the AI prompt, so it is your product. However, your creative role was at the barest minimum. Often, authors develop their creativity through practicing their art. You may think you want to write one thing before shifting as you write. With AI, there is no room for evolving creativity. What you enter in the prompt is what the computer program produces.
While generative AI use is up to personal discretion, some consumers do not appreciate it. AI content is not always immediately recognizable, but sometimes it is. Some people find obviously AI-produced content offputting and immediately recognizable. This can also be called “AI slop,” which refers to ugly, artistic-less content created by AI. AI has become more refined over the years, but it rarely can completely be disguised as human produced. It can even produce content that is confusing, misleading, not visually appealing, or flat-out wrong. You can only guarantee something has your individual human touch when you are in complete control of the final product.
The Minimal Role of AI in Publishing and Writing
Generative AI should rarely, if ever, be used in writing or publishing. If you decide to use AI in writing, try to limit it to basic guidance or outlines. It should not replace your actual writing. Always review anything you get from AI generators because it is not perfect.
Publishers are responsible to lead the charge and promote human-created content. Publishers must control and keep an eye on all AI use in their books. No publisher wants to be known to release subpar “AI slop.” Generative AI needs extreme scrutiny, but non-generative AI also needs to be monitored. It can be useful for basic copy editing, but it should never be the only source of editing.
Cloverly Christian highlights human creativity from the very start of the publishing process. You are responsible for writing your book, but once you submit it, we make sure people lead the charge. Your manuscript will be read, approved, and edited by a human. Your cover art and illustrations will be created by hand. Even our marketing materials will be guided by a human touch.
No part of your book is finalized without your approval. Cloverly Christian will make sure your book is the book you have always imagined.
