A new post by writer Adam LG Nevill is on point regarding the potential effects of Artificial Intelligence tools on creative writing and writers in general. (Here’s a short excerpt posted with the permission of Nevill, with more behind the fold)
I’m finding that few days pass now without me being compelled to read an article about the consequences and hazards of AI. But, speculating exclusively in terms of my profession (writer/publisher) and of books and copyright, the magnitude of future consequences for writers I am only just beginning to comprehend. The reaction thus far, from my profession, appears to be comprised of equal parts mystification, apathy, wishful thinking, patience, reticence, resignation, disbelief and fury.
I’m also struggling to identify many benefits for writers, short or long term. Advances in a foolproof automation in the production and distribution of books, will surely be massively outweighed by the widespread infringement of copyright that is already descending. My fear, looking forward, is of a proliferation of near infinite transgressions against copyright/intellectual property, if the theoretical capabilities of AI are realised. And this is merely the use of the gimmicky end of the tech that anyone can use, for free.
Whether books are anticipating mimicry and exploitation for commercial gain, or novelty and personal amusement, I wonder if the differences between books generated by humans, and those by software, will become indistinguishable in the near future.
My wife and I asked one of the fledgling AI apps, made accessible like free candy, to write a story in the style of Adam Nevill and it quickly produced something that a ten year old child might write.
