So, I’m writing this with my own ten fingers the old school way. I know how this conversation goes. “What? How can you use AI? It’s anti-art! It’s anti-original thought! It’s drying up the lakes.” While some of that might be true, things are changing and evolving every single day in the world of AI. I personally don’t think it’s wise to get angry and pretend it doesn’t exist.

My Passion for Technology and Writing

Since I was a teenager, I’ve always been extremely interested in technology—almost as much as I loved writing and creating. I used social media as soon as I was able to, publishing every little poem, short story, and review I could get out of my little brain. That was true then, and it’s true now. I was also fascinated with being in control of my own work. I heard horror stories of writers going through the traditional publishing route, with some taking decades to get their work published, if at all. I wanted to learn how to write, publish, market, and sell my book myself. That ambition led me to a career in marketing.

Building a Career in Digital Marketing

I’ve been working in various aspects of marketing for almost 11 years, ranging from copywriting and content creation to digital strategy. I dropped out of college while pursuing an English degree to embark on a career that didn’t exactly exist yet. In 2009/2010, digital marketing was not a mainstream career path. Companies were not prioritizing social media and digital efforts, making it challenging to find a direction. I struggled for a long time to understand my role in this emerging field—until digital marketing truly exploded.

The Rise of Digital Marketing

The digital marketing landscape took off in the early 2010s. By 2014, I started securing my first freelance copywriting and digital marketing jobs. In 2015, I landed my first “real job” at a small publishing company, where I acted as a one-man band in digital marketing. I held that position for four years, continually expanding my skills. My career progressed to the corporate stage and now to an e-commerce company.

The Intersection of My Career and AI

So, what does this little bio have to do with AI? Embracing new tools early, even when they seem threatening, has greatly benefited me throughout my life. Being curious, embracing knowledge, and understanding that these innovations are ultimately tools at our disposal have been key. I’ve always been determined to learn how to utilize them to the best of my ability, using AI for work, play, and ideation.

AI as a Writing Companion

Now, I’m writing my new novel with the assistance of AI. It acts as an assistant, keeping me on track, helping me organize, and even serving as a real-time grammar police. It’s great! I feel less stressed about ensuring everything is correct, allowing me to focus on the story. Although, when I ask the AI to critique or suggest improvements, it’s typically not great (yet). It doesn’t yet match the human ability to think outside the box and “hallucinate” creatively. Nonetheless, I’m really enjoying it as a companion.

Managing ADHD with AI

I also deal with ADHD, and ChatGPT has been instrumental in keeping me on task. It helps remind me of where I was, where I’m going, and ensures I’m addressing any plot holes or missing information. Occasionally, it suggests expanding or retracting certain ideas. It’s truly been the most helpful writing companion I’ve ever had, and I feel optimistic about finally completing a novel for the first time in my life.

The Impact of AI on Creativity and Professional Life

AI has been a game changer for me as a creative. It has allowed me to optimize and extrapolate ideas in both my creative and professional life. I’m excited about the technology and the new features being developed. Is it unproblematic? Absolutely not. There are significant implications of AI, but there are also numerous benefits. As many others have said, “it’s a tool.” And it is. I encourage you to learn how to use it, while also supporting tech companies in creating the clean energy needed to run these large language models (LLMs).

Conclusion

AI has personally transformed my creative world for the better, and I am optimistic about its impact on my creative life moving forward. Embracing AI tools early has allowed me to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of digital marketing and creative writing.