Join us as we explore the buzz around ChatGPT, the AI chatbot.
From generating summaries to sparking ideas for story titles, it’s a handy tool for writers.
But, will it make creative writing obsolete? Absolutely not!
Fear not. Let’s navigate this brave new world together!
Here’s an informative article from AARP about ChatGPT and the link to access ChatGPT: ChatGPT (openai.com).
Also, AARP is conducting a Zoom workshop called Intro to AI on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Last time I checked, it was wait-listed, but you can sign up to be notified if a spot opens up. All people on the waitlist will receive access to the workshop recording, so if you can’t attend live, you can still watch it. They plan to cover:
- how AI is being used today
- what its current limitations are
- how it will shape the future
But remember, AI or no AI, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all!
I have used ChatGPT only once, to generate a list of titles for a church program I was promoting. Otherwise, I’ve resisted it. I can appreciate its usefulness as a way to organize thoughts, conduct research, and help in brainstorming, but I have misgivings about trying to keep my writing free of any images the AI might dream up. I do use the Google AI for help with quick research projects. As Kit pointed out last year, it can point you in the direction of authoritative websites, which saves a lot of time. Good servant, poor master.
Thanks for the reminder and the article on GPT. It has helped me understand things better. I’m a little behind the contributors who have responded. It seems to be a terrific tool.
Patricia, that was a great concise presentation. I’ve heard it before, but revisiting it today helped me to understand it better.
I’ve had more opportunity to play with AI after the first publication of this vlog. I’ve had fun feeding descriptions I’ve written into AI and asking for an image. It is interesting to see how accurately AI renders what I’ve written. I’ve also asked AI to analyze my writing. I recommend it for anyone who needs an ego boost. AI will give you a glowing review, then provide what it thinks are areas for improvement. I don’t know how valuable the analysis is, but it is fun.
On a whim, I decided to try it for my first time.I used it to compose a reading for my daughter’s second wedding. I was totally amazed by its prompt and beautifully written response. It actually brought me to tears. I worked with it to refine the content, printed it out and then made it specifically mine. I haven’t used it since my first time in October, but it has definitely been added to my tool bag.
Thank you, Patricia, for the reminder to check out facts and to watch out for those annoying, sometimes infuriating, and occasionally laughable AutoCorrects
I too have been dabbling with ChatGTP. It gives me a comprehensive view of what I am trying to describe. I don’t use the sentences, but it gives me ideas to include in my story. Thanks for your thoughts on how you use ChatGPT.
I’ve used AI as a resource for describing places. Specifically, in one of the stories I wrote from the last Challenge, I asked ChatGPT to describe the interior of a Philadelphia row home that was built in the 1900s. I was looking for details of my grandparent’s home that memory blurred. I didn’t copy and paste the reply; I used those AI results which resonated as prompts which I then developed. I find it’s good for brainstorming or research of detail.
I’ve used the AI function in Grammerly for help with awkward sentences. I highlight the sentence and the software presents an alternative. If the AI generated sentence looks worse than mine, I know I can’t do much better. Most times the sentence is worse. The AI is a springboard for new ideas, like asking a buddy for an opinion.
But, Ive never used AI generated sentences or text in stories. It feels like cheating.
Its fun to hear you are using AI pretty much like I am. I’ve been using it for the past 6 months as a jumping-off point for my own research, reading options for casual phrasing, and title ideas. Its also helpful for helping me create spreadsheet formulas that are so useful. Like you, I use the free versions. Its good to remember that the world wide web holds a lot of false information as well as facts. I always verify any responses to research questions that chatGPT returns before I consider using them. Another cool thing is you can ask… Read more »