6 answers
Choong Sung
Student
Lindenwold, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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How can I use a Literature degree focused in creative writing in a future where AI is dominant?
How can I use a Literature degree focused in creative writing in a future where AI is dominant?
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6 answers
Tom Foster
Freelance Writer with a lot of life experience
70
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Believe it or not, AI is not perfect and likely never will be. Read a book or just about anything that's purely AI and you'll see it's filled with a ton of errors. Why? Because AI can't force its mind into the illogical corners that humanity can, at least not as often and not as readily. Your degree might not be worth what it once was, but it's still indicative of the work you've done and can impress plenty of the right people. The reliance on AI waxes and wanes continually, but those with writing degrees are still valuable for a lot of reasons. I've attained plenty of writing jobs during and after college with my own Creative Writing degree, but I will admit there are times when it's tough to make it work.
The overall question is this: how adaptable are you when it comes to what you want to do?
Answer that honestly and you'll be able to find your own direction.
Keep writing, it's a skill that too many underestimate.
The overall question is this: how adaptable are you when it comes to what you want to do?
Answer that honestly and you'll be able to find your own direction.
Keep writing, it's a skill that too many underestimate.
Richard Caldwell
Broker
19
Answers
New Windsor, Maryland
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Artificial Intelligence is in its infancy. Perhaps it is still in its gestation period. Whatever it is, do not believe the marketing hype that surrounds it. It is a tool and a seriously imperfect one at that. It's like using a Philips screwdriver to extract a straight slot screw.
I did some experiments using the leading AI software systems out there and I was far from impressed with any of them.
I gave each system the same text which was a chapter from a book I had just published. I was appalled by the responses from each system.
When asked to analyze the strongest and weakest parts of the chapter, one system added an entirely new character.
Another added lengthy additional text since it thought it would be nice to have the story conclude during that chapter when there were at least twenty more chapters.
Another I caught lying to me because its code creator had decided to not allow the system to disappoint me.
Another said it couldn't help me.
Another system asked me if I wanted to do the same analyses for other chapters of the book. When I said yes, it returned a comment that I had a user license that had reached its question limit and stopped working. All the analyses it had done to date was lost.
Overall the search and mathematical calculator functions seem to work reasonably well. But that's it. Everything else they put out cannot be trusted.
To answer your question, you are human, you have emotions, you can think through complex emotional issues. AI can do none of the things that are innate to you as a human being. It will be a long time before they can capture the intricacies of the human mind. We don't understand its capability. AI is programmed by flawed humans who don't understand how the human brain works. How do they expect AI to understand it. You are an educated person with advanced degrees. Don't concern yourself with the threat of AI. You will always be able to outsmart it.
Research systems out there. Use a test of your choosing to find out the strength and weaknesses of each one.
I did some experiments using the leading AI software systems out there and I was far from impressed with any of them.
I gave each system the same text which was a chapter from a book I had just published. I was appalled by the responses from each system.
When asked to analyze the strongest and weakest parts of the chapter, one system added an entirely new character.
Another added lengthy additional text since it thought it would be nice to have the story conclude during that chapter when there were at least twenty more chapters.
Another I caught lying to me because its code creator had decided to not allow the system to disappoint me.
Another said it couldn't help me.
Another system asked me if I wanted to do the same analyses for other chapters of the book. When I said yes, it returned a comment that I had a user license that had reached its question limit and stopped working. All the analyses it had done to date was lost.
Overall the search and mathematical calculator functions seem to work reasonably well. But that's it. Everything else they put out cannot be trusted.
To answer your question, you are human, you have emotions, you can think through complex emotional issues. AI can do none of the things that are innate to you as a human being. It will be a long time before they can capture the intricacies of the human mind. We don't understand its capability. AI is programmed by flawed humans who don't understand how the human brain works. How do they expect AI to understand it. You are an educated person with advanced degrees. Don't concern yourself with the threat of AI. You will always be able to outsmart it.
Richard recommends the following next steps:
Sherri Lomayesva, MA, PMP
Technical Writing, Editing, Content Management
3
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Sherri’s Answer
Hi Choong Sung, your question is very insightful and it is fantastic that you are thinking about your future career.
I started writing and submitting creative stories for publication in the 8th grade. What I learned from that experience was the importance of connecting with an audience.
I found my audience as a Technical Writer with an English degree in Literature and Composition. An English degree can lead to technical writing and editing careers in many different industries. You can also move into management of documentation teams or departments if you are interested in leadership roles.
I began my career as a Technical Writer at a healthcare company that made software for medical labs. My role involved writing, editing, and publishing instructions for the medical technicians using lab instruments and software. The content I created was also used in marketing and product information and published into multiple languages.
The experience with my first job helped me move into roles in technical content strategy and leadership positions. I expanded my career by getting a degree as a medical technician and a master's in operations and project management. I really enjoyed my work in the healthcare field!
To your question about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and your concern about its use in writing: in my experience as a Technical Writer, AI makes mistakes and uses strange syntax and word choices. When I use AI to write content, I always read and edit what AI generates. I use the content that I have edited for publication and not the first draft content that AI generates. I also correct the content from AI so that it learns to fix mistakes. Many businesses and industries who use AI will need people who have strong proofreading, writing, and editing skills to manage content generated from AI.
Other skills that you can learn with your Literature degree: how to write prompts for AI and check AI output, methods for interviewing people to compile information into content, soft skills like working well in a team within an organization, digital technology and how to use it (there are many systems and programming languages like XML and DITA for managing and publishing content). Knowing how to write content that may be translated to another language by either machine translation or a human translator.
Good luck on your degree!
I started writing and submitting creative stories for publication in the 8th grade. What I learned from that experience was the importance of connecting with an audience.
I found my audience as a Technical Writer with an English degree in Literature and Composition. An English degree can lead to technical writing and editing careers in many different industries. You can also move into management of documentation teams or departments if you are interested in leadership roles.
I began my career as a Technical Writer at a healthcare company that made software for medical labs. My role involved writing, editing, and publishing instructions for the medical technicians using lab instruments and software. The content I created was also used in marketing and product information and published into multiple languages.
The experience with my first job helped me move into roles in technical content strategy and leadership positions. I expanded my career by getting a degree as a medical technician and a master's in operations and project management. I really enjoyed my work in the healthcare field!
To your question about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and your concern about its use in writing: in my experience as a Technical Writer, AI makes mistakes and uses strange syntax and word choices. When I use AI to write content, I always read and edit what AI generates. I use the content that I have edited for publication and not the first draft content that AI generates. I also correct the content from AI so that it learns to fix mistakes. Many businesses and industries who use AI will need people who have strong proofreading, writing, and editing skills to manage content generated from AI.
Other skills that you can learn with your Literature degree: how to write prompts for AI and check AI output, methods for interviewing people to compile information into content, soft skills like working well in a team within an organization, digital technology and how to use it (there are many systems and programming languages like XML and DITA for managing and publishing content). Knowing how to write content that may be translated to another language by either machine translation or a human translator.
Good luck on your degree!
Joseph Aseo
Writer
3
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
AI isn't yet leading in content creation and peer review. As a writer with 40 years of experience, I've learned that AI follows the "Garbage In, Garbage Out" rule. My first drafts were rarely the final versions published. Editors helped me improve clarity and organization, while peer reviewers ensured my message was clear and met the audience's needs. Generative AI should also go through content editing and review before reaching readers.
With your background in literature, you understand the publishing process for human writers. This insight helps you see how AI-generated content can be adjusted to meet the audience's needs and interests.
With your background in literature, you understand the publishing process for human writers. This insight helps you see how AI-generated content can be adjusted to meet the audience's needs and interests.
Claudine Zap
Writer
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Claudine’s Answer
Literature and creative writing are always competitive fields even without factoring in AI. But think about what interests you about these fields. Is it great literature? Maybe consider a teaching degree. Is it publishing? Look into internships with a publisher to get a sense of working in that environment. As for a career in writing, having a speciality in a specific topic can also set you apart, such as science, tech or environmental writing.
Consider a publishing internship.
Think about your interests to set your writing apart.
Think about teaching or a higher degree.
Claudine recommends the following next steps:
Gregory Glading
Novelist
6
Answers
Polk City, Florida
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Use AI strictly as a tool. Think of it as building a house. AI is your hammer and screw driver. Yet you can never order a hammer and screwdriver to build your house. AI is a great research aid. It can also check for anachronisms if you’re writing historical fiction. Nevertheless, if you let it do your writing, the results could be catastrophic. Also, if you are unsure of your phrasing or paragraph development and run it through AI, double check. AI often makes mistakes and embarrassing mistakes at that. Do you see novels at the level of Dickens and Tolstoy today? AI is a tool. It will never produce great writing