The Creative Process and AI

AI is great for research; it is great for analysing documents; and great for writing computer code. Despite the philosophical debates as to whether AI-generated text counts as "creative art", I argue that if I can so quickly detect AI-generated text, (compared to something written by someone whose "voice" comes through), then the AI-generated text is not of much value. The small grammatical quirks and - yes - errors - give it its soul. People will argue with me; an AI editor will say I'm making a philosophical claim rather than a concrete argument. But I hope you get it.

Writing is a creative process, although editing gets a bit mechanical. We can use AI tools to help with that.

For example, I use my text editor to create this text. It sounds like me. It has my unique voice. A bit quirky and a touch eccentric. I may go on a rant. I'll probably have to cull some of it because it will sound a bit unhinged.

But before I upload it to Amazon S3, I'll run it past my AI agent, asking it to fix spelling and point out grammatical errors, and also to check for any claims which won't stand up to scrutiny. In other words, I'll use AI as an editing assistant. But I won't let it create the text.

Creative Writing vs. Computer Code

Is computer code creative text? I'm not as sure as Knuth that algorithm design, abstraction, and problem framing are creative arts. I call it "craftsmanship" (which is at the intersection of engineering and art). Coding itself is not a creative process, not in the same sense as writing a book is creative. But a part of the process is definitely creative. (1974 ACM Turing award lecture).

Type text into a book. That is creative writing. Put paint on a canvas; that is creative art.

Why do I say that computer coding is not an "art form"?

The code expresses what you dreamed up in your head. The code is not even the end product. It is compiled or packaged to an executable application. The application is the product.

When you write a book, the words are formatted and published. The book is the product, and the artistry is in the words. Which words, the rhythm and flow, the emotion, the shades of meaning, the layers, the humour, and the poetry.

Words

We put words together when we are being creative.

To produce a computer application, we start with a creative process, but writing the code is not really "creative"; it's craftsmanship - applying technical skills to materialise we dreamed up. When we paint on canvas, the technique is something we learn, practice, perfect. It is technical, and there could be a vast difference between something two people create with identical technical skill using their imaginations. One could be mind-blowingly amazing, and the other could be uninspired.

Specification, architectural design, and product design require very particular types of creativeness.

When you write the specification, it takes time and care. It can be very difficult. You need to apply a lot of imagination, visualisation, and scratching of the head, gazing off into the distance, staring blankly at the wall, getting a cup of tea, or going for a walk.

The design and specification of a computer software application is a sort of creative writing exercise. Not quite the same as writing a book, but it definitely employs creativity. You can use AI to research this design, but don't use it to write the design. Write it yourself.

So what's all this got to do with Creative Writing?

• AI is great for research.
• AI appears to be pretty good at most language tasks.
• AI is very good at generating computer code.

Given all this, you could think that AI could be good for creative writing also, but I strongly disagree.

Bottom Line

Don't use AI to create things. Not books, and not specifications either.

Don't use it to create text for your book, unless you want to create a soulless, sanitised, and - may I say "dead" book? Despite the fact that your AI will claim that readers buy AI-assisted books in volume, are they your audience? Shouldn't you give them something better?

You are fantastic at being creative. You don't need to outsource that to a machine!