Log: Writing with ChatGPT as My Copilot
I’m going to try something new.
I will write longer form posts and use ChatGPT as a copilot. I will cover the subjects of software and startups, company building and venture capital, tech and data, anything that is intriguing.
This is an experiment. It may not work but it’s worth trying considering how prevalent generative AI will soon be in our lives. I figured that the best way to learn how is by using one of the most well-known AI tools out there. In a way, I don’t want this to work because it will make me question whether I truly have a unique voice whenever I write or speak. Maybe I just synthesize all that I have learned and experienced and nothing that I share is new or original. Perhaps so, but I’m going to find out.
What I wrote above is all me. What follows is me with ChatGPT as my copilot.
Of course, it’s about using ChatGPT as a writing tool similar to how developers use generative AI copilots to code.
Coding and writing, at their cores, are structured forms of communication. They represent intricate systems of symbols (words or commands) that convey meaning, logic, or function. AI platforms like GitHub’s Copilot are successfully aiding developers to code more efficiently, which serves as a testament to the potential of AI in understanding and augmenting such systems. If AI can do this for coding, it can also do it for writing.
Coders use Copilot to spot common coding errors, provide guidance on unfamiliar frameworks, or even generate solutions for complex algorithms. As they type, Copilot predicts the next segment of the code, often completing entire lines or blocks. This prediction is not random; it's based on patterns detected from countless code repositories, which means the suggestions are usually contextually relevant and syntactically correct.
Imagine writing in a similar manner. Instead of relying solely on yourself to write something engaging, ChatGPT can offer topic suggestions, generate prompts, or provide a brainstorming space for you, guiding you through those initial hurdles. It can suggest a richer vocabulary or offer insights on restructuring your sentences or paragraphs to enhance clarity, much like a seasoned editor. It doesn’t write for you but with you. It’s the equivalent of having a knowledgeable colleague looking over your shoulder, pointing out nuances or suggesting improvements, all while ensuring the essence of your message remains intact.
We are, by nature, synthesizers of information. We absorb, process, and then regurgitate in formats that mirror our understanding. Writing has long been our chosen method to crystallize what we learn and to disseminate widely. Why not harness a tool that will help enhance it?
By the way, this isn't about relinquishing our control or our authenticity but about amplifying our innate capability. If ChatGPT allows us to communicate more effectively, imagine how much more we will accomplish.
Tweets, Posts, and Charts:
Logs are an experiment in writing with ChatGPT as a copilot.