This could have been a big idea… In a recent newsletter from The Deep View, Editor-in-Chief Ian Krietzberg highlights the pervasive yet often unnoticed role of artificial intelligence in daily life. A Gallup poll of approximately four thousand American adults reveals that nearly one hundred percent use products incorporating AI features, although fifty percent claimed they had not interacted with an AI product in the past week. This disconnect underscores a general skepticism toward AI; seventy-two percent of respondents believe it will have a negative impact on misinformation over the next five years, while sixty-four percent worry about its effects on social connections.
A recent study led by Microsoft researchers explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the writing process, focusing on concerns about authenticity among writers. The study involved 19 fiction writers who used a tool called CoAuthor to generate writing, with some passages personalized based on their previous work. Writers expressed skepticism about AI’s influence, fearing it might compromise their unique voice and authenticity. However, they generally preferred the personalized AI-generated content, citing better quality and a sense of collaboration. In contrast, the study found that readers showed no significant preference between human-written and AI-assisted pieces, often enjoying the content regardless of its origin. The researchers concluded that while AI tools like CoAuthor can support writing, they need to evolve better to address writers’ needs for authenticity and creativity.
Why do we care?
There is both a skepticism to AI… and a difficulty perceiving it. 100% use of products that incorporate AI features with 50% claiming they had not interacted with an AI product in the past week, which seems like a false perception.
Writers are naturally skeptical of AI – they should be. At the same time, readers may not notice. They key is listening to the message – a worry about technology’s impact on social connections and information. These are tools, and implementing them in the right context with the right transparency is key.
And the opportunity for savvy providers.