Maya Middlemiss, BlockSparks OÜ

Throughout my professional life as a writer, I have always used the latest technology to help me work efficiently and effectively. Since the earliest iterations of spellcheckers and google translate, and before that my trusty Fowler’s Modern English Usage (hardback edition), I have sought the best tools for the job –– to enable me to do the best work for my clients.

Now though, a new generation of tools have emerged, which can do “actual writing.”

Large language models like ChatGPT are fascinating, and I have been writing professionally about AI for several years.

I am learning every day about the way this technology is developing, and doing my best to understand how it will impact on my professional sphere, and on society more broadly.

People who are hiring writers and content creators are of course also watching this evolution closely, and I prefer to be completely transparent about my involvement with this technology.

My pledge to clients, regarding chatGPT and other generative AI

<aside> 📩 here’s what I promise:

⭐️ I will never pass off writing generated by an AI as my own

⭐️ I will never offer you statements or references generated by AI, that I have not personally fact-checked to the best of my ability

⭐️ I will never enter your unique IP into a generative AI, where it may be added to their training data

</aside>

How I am using chatGPT and other generative AI

My current tech stack I use when writing includes chatGPT among a range of other smart tools (like the amazing plugin which helps me edit docs to UK or US English, and Otter to transcribe interview calls.)

I am experimenting with AI constantly, and I use it for a range of things, including:

• Research! Tools like Perplexity and Humata have revolutionised the way we can access academic and business knowledge and publications
• Generating headline ideas - from which I will often pick up parts or phrases, and always google to check uniqueness
• Generating social media posts - I have always been better at writing 2000 words than 140 characters!
• Summarising and searching/researching - such as academic or technical papers
• Dealing with any non-English source documents and references, especially if I need a gist or understanding more than a straight translation
• Generating counter arguments - when I am struggling to see other sides to a position, and need an antithesis to draw from
• Generating unique images, to accompany social posts
• As a thought partner for idea generation and brainstorming as a solopreneur creative, especially for strategy development and competitor analysis
• Working with client-developed AI tools including custom GPTs, to develop prompt manuals, best practice guides, and to train your team on working effectively and ethically with generative AI.