Writing with AI : A Reflection
Today, I found myself wondering: am I really writing, or is the AI doing it for me?
It’s a question that probably haunts many people experimenting with AI writing tools. For me, the trigger was simple—I had just uploaded a scientific lecture slide deck, and my assistant (an AI) was helping me turn it into a blog post. The process felt smooth, efficient… and oddly mechanical. I started to wonder if all I was doing was handing over raw ingredients for someone—or something—else to cook.
But then I realized: the recipe is mine.
The AI doesn’t choose which files to upload, or who the audience is. It doesn’t know whether the post should sound like a college lecture or a letter to a curious student. It doesn’t know what must not be lost from the slides. All of that is on me.
In a way, it’s like hiring a highly skilled sous-chef. I bring the groceries, define the flavors, and choose the dish. The assistant makes the prep faster—but the soul of the meal is mine.
Why This Still Feels Like Writing
Because writing isn’t only about typing words. It’s about deciding what matters, what must be explained, what must be preserved. That moment when I say, “No, that diagram is important—don’t simplify it too much,” or when I say, “Explain this part more clearly for a college student”—those are the moments I’m writing.
The Voice That AI Doesn’t Have
AI is a fantastic assistant. But it doesn’t remember what confused you when you were 19. It doesn’t sigh when reading poor textbook explanations. It doesn’t laugh at students’ metaphors or feel a surge of satisfaction when something clicks for someone else.
That voice—that messy, imperfect, uniquely human voice—is still mine.
So, Am I Still Writing?
Absolutely. And what’s more, I’m not just writing—I’m translating old, forgotten knowledge into something new, searchable, and helpful for someone out there. That alone makes it worthwhile.
This post was brought to life with the help of an AI assistant—but the reflection is fully human.
