Writing with Robots

Using A.I. to help create this newsletter.

Dall•E 2 generation.

The robots are here and they don’t suck.

I’m taking a break from our usual programming to chat about something topical: the latest wave of generative A.I. (Don’t worry, we’ll be back next week with more endurance, running-ish writing.)

Like many, I’ve used A.I. to get meal recipes and vacation advice. But I’ve also used it to help create this newsletter. I thought it might be fun to lift the hood, so to speak, and share how I’m writing with the bots.

So here are 5 ways I’m using A.I.

1) Feedback partner

Getting and receiving feedback is the favorite part of my day job. Thinking through a design or piece of writing with other people is thrilling. It can be like improvisational jazz—human minds riffing off each other with the materials of language.

Since this newsletter is a one-person shop, why not riff with a robot? ChatGPT can bring a different lens to a piece of writing.

• For example, last week’s post was a weighty exploration of religious belief and athletic performan…