BY ARTUR MEYSTER
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved quickly in the last decade, thanks to the development of more powerful machines and scientific methods like deep learning and natural language processing. So, it is not crazy to think that machines could one day replace humans.
Already, AI is replacing humans in industries like manufacturing. However, it depends on how people see this technology because it is making our work easier. Instead of lamenting the fact that machines can do now what previously only humans could do, learn more tech skills, and don't fall behind.
The idea that AI software can replace writers has been going around for a couple of years. However, there isn't a software sophisticated enough to write an article and sound precisely like a human. That they can't do it now doesn't mean that it won’t happen. In fact, AI could replace writers very soon.
The non-profit research company OpenAI revealed that their AI model for text generation was so good that it was too dangerous to reveal to the public. The model is called GPT2, and the danger lies in the possibility of using it for generating fake news.
However, this software works by using a previously introduced text or sentence and predicting the words that should come next. So, technically, it can’t write a complete story or narrative on its own.
How Does It Work?
The text generating software developed so far uses natural language processing (NLP) to create text that makes sense and tells a story. NLP is a subset of AI that allows computers to understand spoken or written language.
NLP is used on voice recognition software, digital translators, word processors and the like. NLP software uses machine learning to try and process human language and understand the message it tries to communicate.
Computers generally understand single words, but when they try to see them in a context, they struggle. Usually, a sentence requires understanding the background that many times humans naturally learn when relating to each other and their environment. For example, if someone tells a joke, it's funny because it has a cultural context; it will be difficult for an AI model to find it funny.
What can AI Replace?
One of the limitations of humans is their ability to scale; a human mind couldn't write 2,000 articles in a week about the same topic and make each one unique. A human writer also takes a lot of time researching and validating facts when writing a story or article. So, why not use AI software to help with these tasks where humans can't catch up?
AI software can be a partner to human writers and make the job easier for them. Imagine writing a news article about specific events, and instead of spending hours verifying every bit of information, you use AI software. The AI model will be able to research and check all the facts in seconds, and then you will have all the information you need just to write.
An AI algorithm can peruse millions of articles, research papers and websites in seconds. It will generate a summary of everything a writer needs to write their story. It can even produce a first draft of an article that the writer can later tweak to their liking.
What can't AI Replace?
AI, from the beginning, has tried to replicate human consciousness. A big part of the human mind consists of the ability to learn, which machine learning and deep learning has achieved to some extent. However, replicating human feelings, memories and a sentient being overall isn't possible yet.
In other words, something that engineers, Data Scientists, and AI experts haven't been able to reproduce is human emotions. Writing can be an art, and even though AI software has been able to write news articles and informative text, other forms of writing require more than the ability to put words together.
There is nothing like a well-written novel that catches the attention of the reader or those books that describe transcendent and life-changing stories. They require incredible skill to convey emotions through words. They invent the craziest storylines, give the characters enough depth to make them feel real to the reader, and invent places that could exist only in the imagination.
No matter how much technology has developed, computers still cannot feel, don't have imagination and creativity, cannot think the way humans do, and can't possibly understand the depths of human emotions and the complexity of human relationships.
Examples of AI Text Generators
There are some AI text generators that are free to use. You can see for yourself how far the technology has come. For example, a company called Zyro allows anyone to create a text from two to three sentences. Here's an example using the first few sentences of this article:
"Artificial Intelligence has quickly developed in the last decade, thanks to the development of more powerful computers and scientific methods like deep learning and natural language processing. So, it is not crazy to think that machines could replace humans in the future.”
This is the text generated by the software:
“What are some possible outcomes? You can imagine a world where all your everyday tasks get automated (or at least no longer time consuming or complicated). These systems will generally have an intelligent "personality" which you would learn through practice with different forms such as reading conversations by yourself versus talking into someone else's voice when spoken to using this particular computer system based on Deep Learning technology, etc., I am just being realistic here so if something seems unrealistic then don't worry because it won't happen for us human beings until we embrace AI!"
Takeaway
As you can see, the text generators out there still have a long way to go. Zyro isn't the best software there is, and humans’ storytelling ability is hard to replicate. So, whether AI will replace writers is still up in the air, but the software is definitely improving. For now, this software can be a tool for writers from all styles and niches. Who knows what will happen in five or ten years?
Ignoring Changes in the Industry
Adapt, change or fail. It’s the way of life. Recently, we published an article about the rising popularity of interactive marketing. These are the things you should be keeping an eye out for, there will always be a new digital strategy or social media outlet around the corner and the earlier you familiarize yourself with it, the more you can capitalize on it. Pay attention to your competitors, learn from them. 10 years ago, blogging was just something people did to share their personal opinions on things. Now, there’s not a successful business out there that doesn’t implement blogging into their strategy in some way. Stay alert and cash in on these emerging tactics early.
Of course, there’s plenty of other mistakes we make, but identifying them and understanding your weaknesses is the first step in avoiding making the same mistakes time and again. Explore our site, enrichmybrand.com, to learn how we can help you outline your strengths and weaknesses and together create a successful marketing plan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Artur Meyster is the CTO of Career Karma, an online marketplace that matches career switchers with coding bootcamps. He is also the host of the Breaking Into Startups podcast, which features people with non- traditional backgrounds who broke into tech. You may follow him on the following social media platforms:
