Controversial Topic: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Writing
Description of the controversial new story
Reported in CNET on September 7, 2024, a news story by Palmer notes that the nearly 25-year-old global novel-writing challenge called, NaNoWriMo (e.g., National Novel Writing Month) is currently embroiled in a controversy over its decision to allow artificial intelligence in its competition and its new sponsorship by a commercial AI developer, ProWritingAid. The organization encourages participants to write a 50,000-word novel in November of each year, but it recently stated it does not endorse nor condemn any writing method, including the use of AI. For instance, according to Palmers report, the controversy erupted when NaNoWriMo posted a message concerning their position on AI-assistive writing technologies that assumed a neutral position for contributions to its annual contest.
Not surprisingly, this decision and the corresponding position taken by NaNoWriMo sparked debate, with some viewing it as potentially harmful to writers. Although this decision appears benign on its face, the controversy was exacerbated when an AI-powered writing tool company was revealed as a corporate sponsor, resulting in a board members resignation. The sponsor claims they were unaware of NaNoWriMo's AI statement and disagrees with its sentiment. In response to criticism, NaNoWriMo has updated its statement, acknowledging concerns about unethical AI practices while maintaining that blanket condemnation of the technology could be problematic (Palmer, 2024). The situation with NaNoWriMo reflects broader discussions in creative industries about AIs role and impact on human creativity as discussed further below.
Detailed and critical analysis of the news story
On the one hand, the reaction to NaNoWriMos...
On the other hand, though, some other writing assistive technologies have also taken time to catch on. For instance,
Mark Twain was the first author to use a typewriter to prepare a manuscript in 1883, even though these devices had been commercially available for nearly a quarter century and it was not until the early 1920s before typewriters were in widespread use (The End, 2017).
Likewise, it is reasonable to suggest that some authors in the past resisted any new technological substitutes for their cherished quill pens, even when fountain and then ballpoint pens were invented which made writing much easier. In other words, writers, like professionals in any industry, have their favorite comfort zones and are wont to make changes with the newfangled AI -- and they are naturally scared of losing their jobs. Perhaps many if not most of...
…about every day (Humans could be wiped out by robots, AI pioneers warn, 2023).
The threat posed by the AI boogeyman seemed sufficiently concerning to OpenAIs board of directors that they fired Altman and hired Emmet Shear despite investors objections. This move was widely regarded as a reluctant concession on the part of OpenAIs top leadership team concerning the actual existential threat that AI represents for humankind within the foreseeable future and the need to replace Altman who was loudly trumpeting the end of the world (Vance et al., 2023).
Taken together, it is clear that the stakes are high and efforts by governments around the world to regulate these technologies are comparable to gun control legislation in the United States today where anyone can buy any gun (even RPGs and machine guns), anytime, anywhere, if they have the bucks. This technological genie has been released from its C++ bottle and the endgame remains unclear at present. What is known for certain, though, is that the Industrial Revolution did in fact displace millions of workers who were forced to find other occupations, and the same thing will undoubtedly occur as AI becomes even more ubiquitous and intuitive. Despite what Musk and like-minded critics say, the research suggests that AI is WAY down on the list of humankinds…
