I assume that anyone writing in 2025 is using AI, just like I assume they are using Google or spell check. I'd question someone if they weren't using it, in fact.
The insights and ideas are going to be the distinguishing factor.
Then you'll have to question me, lol. I keep thinking I should be using it — at least for research, not for writing, which I do because I enjoy — but I'm not.
Out of curiosity is there anything holding you back? I’m being asked to do more and more AI 101 trainings for people and I’m wondering if something like that would help or if it’s a different reason. Learning how to prompt or use it is a totally different beast than search and everyday I’m having to train my brain to think differently about how I can use AI. We could totally do a course of AI for Substackers.
When writers got access to the internet, to Wikipedia and to Google we have been in a similar situation that required an ethical view. It was like a shortcut compared to researching in libraries.
Now it is even more needed as Generative AI can write for us, that‘s why it is called „generative“ (not „general“).
I've barely been using AI, so this hasn't come up for me. But I appreciate your perspective and your transparency, and you provide a great guide to how many of us might do things in the future.
I used to think it was cheating to use AI for writing—until I realized I still have to be both the subject matter expert and the Editor-in-Chief. It's no different than using an electric mixer instead of a hand whisk: it saves time, delivers great results, and frees me up to focus on more strategic work.
I assume that anyone writing in 2025 is using AI, just like I assume they are using Google or spell check. I'd question someone if they weren't using it, in fact.
The insights and ideas are going to be the distinguishing factor.
Then you'll have to question me, lol. I keep thinking I should be using it — at least for research, not for writing, which I do because I enjoy — but I'm not.
Out of curiosity is there anything holding you back? I’m being asked to do more and more AI 101 trainings for people and I’m wondering if something like that would help or if it’s a different reason. Learning how to prompt or use it is a totally different beast than search and everyday I’m having to train my brain to think differently about how I can use AI. We could totally do a course of AI for Substackers.
That’s a great idea. For me, part of it is a general distaste for the idea of AI, but part of it is not knowing the best ways to use it.
When writers got access to the internet, to Wikipedia and to Google we have been in a similar situation that required an ethical view. It was like a shortcut compared to researching in libraries.
Now it is even more needed as Generative AI can write for us, that‘s why it is called „generative“ (not „general“).
Appreciated your open statements of transparency!
I've barely been using AI, so this hasn't come up for me. But I appreciate your perspective and your transparency, and you provide a great guide to how many of us might do things in the future.
I used to think it was cheating to use AI for writing—until I realized I still have to be both the subject matter expert and the Editor-in-Chief. It's no different than using an electric mixer instead of a hand whisk: it saves time, delivers great results, and frees me up to focus on more strategic work.
I'm a plebe and flat out say I use it for editing after I write and brainstorming prior.