In a world where AI is rapidly evolving and its capabilities are being questioned, one journalist, Peter Lewis, embarks on a journey to understand the boundaries of AI's involvement in writing. Lewis, a proud human writer, is concerned about the misuse of AI in the media industry, which has led to a decline in the quality of opinion pieces, a phenomenon he calls 'slop-inion'. He argues that while AI can assist in research and idea generation, it should not be used to automate the creative process, as it undermines the value of human creativity and intellectual work.
Lewis highlights the recent controversy surrounding Crikey's removal of a leadership series and Capital Brief's features editor bemoaning the high percentage of AI-generated submissions. He emphasizes that while plagiarism is a serious issue, the challenge lies in distinguishing between AI-assisted writing and genuine human creativity. The author introduces the concept of 'Proudly Human', a certification process that aims to verify human authorship and set boundaries for AI's role in the writing process.
Lewis shares his personal experience with AI, using Anthropic's Claude to assist in his writing process. He describes how AI can help with research, sense-checking, and suggesting ideas, but he also acknowledges the importance of the drafting process and the intellectual friction it provides. Lewis believes that the hard work and choices made during drafting are essential to the creative process and should not be replaced by AI.
The author argues that 'Proudly Human' certification is not just a commitment from creators but also a proof of life that consumers should demand. He emphasizes the significance of provenance in cultural content, where the theft of intellectual work by AI can lead to the replacement of creative workers. Lewis concludes by stating that drawing a line between human creativity and AI-generated content is crucial to preserving the value of human work and the integrity of the media industry.
