Stop Using AI Tools for Writing, They’re Making You Dumb

In short, you are not controlling the words that are flowing; it is the AI that controls the words.

If you follow me, you may know that I’ve been writing for over 3 years now.

Yes, in my initial days, there were no AI tools that could help me write an entire post within seconds. And I must say, this is the best thing that has happened to me.

For sure, at that time, I had no writing skills, so I kept spending more time learning to write better.

Within a year, in 2021, Jasper AI was launched to help generate content. Since I was not interested in using AI tools, I tried not to spend more time learning about Jasper AI.

However, after the launch of ChatGPT, I can see that there are numerous individuals using AI to write content to make money by ranking on Google and so on.

I’ve even talked with several writers on Medium who got suspended from specific publications because of using AI tools.

But the issue is much more complex than this, and that’s what I will be discussing in this post.

Let’s start.

AI-Generated Content Is a No-Go

Let’s get real here — whether you’re a big company or a solo blogger, everyone’s gunning to score that sweet Google ranking.

Why?

Because it’s the golden ticket to organic growth for businesses and a surefire cash cow for bloggers.

However, Google has explicitly stated that they don’t favor AI-generated content for manipulating search result rankings.

This applies to Medium and other platforms as well.

Let me tell you that many reputable Medium publications have suspended writers from their publications for using AI tools to generate content.

And get this — most companies I’ve teamed up with have slapped AI content generation with a big “no-no” in their job offers.

So, in short, no one likes AI-generated content.

Why Use AI Tools — The Comfort Factor

Now, the main question that comes to mind is why individuals are using AI tools to generate content.

Well, the answer is simple i.e. comfort.

Let me give you a simple example.

Have you ever stumbled upon a shiny new toy that makes you feel like a kid in a candy store?

That’s how individuals feel when they first get their hands on one of those fancy AI writing tools. Man, the convenience is mind-blowing.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to make money with such comfort?

The speed of the thing is straight-up sorcery. You just need to write a single line based on what comes to your mind, and it will generate a complete blog post for you.

Gone are the days of staring blankly at a screen, waiting for inspiration to strike.

The benefits are crystal clear.

The productivity? Through the roof. Writer’s block? A thing of the past. And the sheer amount of time you save? Let’s just say you have a lot more free evenings than before.

But, like with every shiny new toy, the initial buzz does wear off. That’s when you start noticing the little hitches and glitches.

The Hidden Costs of Using AI to Create Content

We all know that there are some benefits to using AI tools in writing.

However, there are more limitations.

For instance, AI sometimes produces low-quality content, especially when it comes to generating titles.

As you can see, the titles have semicolons, and I don’t know why.

The worst part is that if you use AI tools to generate a complete blog post, your brain starts to dry up, and you can’t think about writing anymore.

That’s the reason you are no longer a writer.

Even if you write an awesome piece and then send it to AI to polish it a bit, what’s the output?

A different version that most readers hate to read. Thanks to AI tools, the heart, the soul, and the little imperfections that make writing genuine vanish.

Lastly, you lose the authentic voice that your readers love to hear, and the creativity that resides within you disappears.

In short, you are not controlling the words that are flowing; it is the AI that controls the words.

Pretty bad, right?

So, while the allure of perfection is tempting, remember this: sometimes, beauty lies in the blemishes. And maybe, just maybe, we don’t need AI to filter every flaw away.

When and How to Use AI

Note that I’m not suggesting you stop using AI tools altogether.

Instead, I’m specifically addressing the practice of generating complete blog posts with the help of AI.

So, Nitin, what can we do with AI?

Well, you can use AI for research purposes, grammar checks, and even spell-checking. However, it’s important to remember that AI is a tool, not the master.

So, for some real talk, here are my personal guidelines when balancing the magic of AI with the human touch:

• First Draft: This is where I let my creativity run wild. No AI, no judgment, just pure, raw ideas splashed onto the page.
• Editing Round One: It’s still all me. Here, I tighten up the content, play around with it, and see what feels right. Sometimes you have to trust that gut feeling, you know?
• Grammar & Spell Check: This is where AI comes in. Look, nobody’s perfect. So, I let the machine do its thing, catching those sneaky typos and ensuring I haven’t mixed up my “you’re” and “your” (again).
• Final Review: Back to Team Human. Before hitting send or publish, I do one last read-through. Does it sound like me? Does it resonate? Does it have that personal touch?

The last thing I can say is, remember, it’s your voice, your story. Make sure it stays that way!

Hope you like it.

That’s it — thanks.

Don’t forget to subscribe to me on Beehiiv for a thrilling dive into AI, tech wizardry, money hacks, side-hustle secrets, and beyond. Your adventure awaits!