Episode Details
Back to Episodes“Why You Should Almost Never Use AI to Write Anything Substantive” by Erich_Grunewald 🔸
Description
I think you should almost never use AI to write -- that is, to do the thing you're doing when you type words on a page -- whether for a blog post, a research report, a memo, a thoughtful email, a novel, or any other text aimed at conveying an idea, an argument, an analysis, or other substantive thoughts. I think this is the case even when you give the AI very detailed bullet points, dictated thoughts, or other context, and even when you edit the AI-written text.
I think so because (1) the writing process is an essential part of the thinking process, (2) AI writing is vague and wrong in hard-to-notice ways, and (3) writing with AI (and not labeling it as such) is rude and misleading. I'll explain these points in more detail below, but first, a few throat clearings.
As you may know, I'm not anti-AI. I think it makes a lot of sense to use AI for many other parts of the research and writing processes, such as transcribing audio, analyzing data, searching for information, brainstorming, and giving feedback on drafts. I also think using AI for line and copy editing, or [...]
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Outline:
(02:10) The Writing Process Is the Thinking Process
(04:57) AI Writing Is Vague and Wrong in Hard-to-Notice Ways
(12:43) Writing with AI (and Not Labeling It as Such) Is Rude and Misleading
(15:12) Aren't There Exceptions?
The original text contained 16 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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First published:
August 6th, 2026
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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.