Rise of AI

Haha. This is an interesting one. As I'm about to type this post, I see a message pop up asking me if I want help to write. The irony! Welcome to the Age of AI.

Although it's not a relatively new concept, AI seems to have taken over the world in over the past few years. I noticed it around two years ago. But, AI has been around for decades (centuries if you know history).

How does this seemingly helpful creation affect authors? Today, I will highlight some pros and cons of AI.

Pros:

• It can help you research complex thoughts and ideas.

• Bring your drawings to life. Example: You can insert key words or phrases and the software can come up with a picture to match.

  
  

• Great for writer's prompts.

  
  

• Helps with book illustrations.

Cons:

For the most part, AI is helpful in the real world, but as authors it can set us up for a disadvantage if we DEPEND SOLELY (or HEAVILY) on the software.

• It can stifle the creative process.

  
  

• You do NOT have a claim to copyright. Example: Using AI generated images for your children's books. You cannot call yourself an "illustrator" just by using AI generated images. The US Copyright Office will flag your work and tell you that you CANNOT claim authorship/ownership of the AI generated works. Yes, even if you "paid" for them. They essentially still belong to someone else.

  
  

• Other authors may have similar (or the same) images in their books (or on the covers). You have no rights in this regard, and cannot say that someone "copied" your concept. If five authors type in "dog running through a spaceship" in the software (and I'm using "software" as the generic term for AI), the algorithm may spew out the same image. What you're left with is five books with the same pictures. Imagine how horrified readers will be picking up those books... Conned much?

  
  

• Humans are still needed. For those of you who choose to use AI to edit your work, beware. You may have to hire a human editor later on when Amazon (or another online distributor) rejects your book on grounds of plagiarism.

This post isn't meant to be a lengthy back and forth listing the pros and cons of AI, but to help future (or current) authors be AWARE of what's happening in the literary world and AI.

AI is here to stay... Whether or not you choose to use it, is up to you. But, for authors, there's nothing like using your creativity and research skills to pen your best book. No one can take that away from you...

BE CREATIVE!

AI can help, but it shouldn't

REPLACE YOU!

~Theastarr Valerie

Don't let AI replace you...