What About AI and Writing?
It’s a great tool to generate ideas, prepare outlines, and proofread your manuscripts. Sure, some writers have used AI to write stories for them, creating so-called slop. But slop has always existed. AI, like all tools, can be used for good and evil.
There are two problems I have with AI: the massive energy requirements to run the servers and the increased prices of computer parts to meet demand. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are making deals with energy companies to build nuclear power plants next to their data centers. How is this fair when ordinary people experience blackouts due in part to AI’s energy consumption? And what about PC building enthusiasts who want to make their own computers, or people who just want to buy an ordinary computer/laptop? They’ll have to pay even more out of their pockets just for the privilege of having one.
Whether you like or hate AI is irrelevant. At the end of the day, it’s here to stay. Can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. The best thing to do is to have people develop their own LLMs or download the LLM of their choice to their computers. The drive for independent AI and taking power away from corporations and governments should be the goal for everyone, including writers.