Author: Remmy Ciambriello
AI can be an incredibly helpful tool in many different fields. There are countless uses for it, however, there seems to be an epidemic of AI use in writing, especially in schools. Users can easily plug prompts into ChatGPT to hand in a perfectly written essay, abundant with em-dashes and a strong vocabulary. AI has its place, and writing essays, novels, articles, etc, is not one of them.
The subject of ethical AI use has been under debate for years, growing as the tool itself evolves. Some are for the continued use of AI, citing all of the useful ways it can help society. Many, however, feel more inclined to reject it, especially when it comes to the humanities. Critical and creative thinking are essential to our species. It enables us to innovate and spread ideas, generate original works of literature and art, problem-solve, and collaborate. Intellectual thought and storytelling are what allow us to record the human condition and learn from the past. By relying on AI to perform these tasks for us, we lose important critical thinking skills. According to Chris Anson, a professor of English at NC State, it is in the act of writing itself that changes the writer. This forces them to open themselves up to new ideas and perspectives, something that is essential for developing intellectually. Huiling Ding, another professor of English at NC State, discusses the ethical ramifications of AI, regarding plagiarism and copyright, as well as creativity and authorship. The concerns of both of these professors highlight the issues with using AI for writing. It discounts the hard work and skill of those who choose to forgo using AI and instead take the time and effort to create their own works.
The AI debate is one of nuance. AI can be very helpful to perform smaller, simpler tasks that allow for additional time on the more important things. Even using it for ideas to get a head start on writing something can be useful. However, we have to be careful that we are not allowing it to take over the art of writing. Literature, essays, articles, novels, etc, have the ability to alter history, to bring about revolutions, to enact change. The spread of ideas is incredibly powerful and important. By using AI to create for us, the power is lost, and there is no true significance in anything we write. So, although AI can be useful and belongs in many different fields, it shouldn’t find a place within the written word.
Works Cited
Garbarine, Rachelle. “How Is AI Changing How We Write and Create?” College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University, 27 Mar. 2023, chass.ncsu.edu/news/2023/03/27/how-is-ai-changing-how-we-write-and-create/. Accessed 20 June 2025.