My dear friends, I recently launched Intelligent Writing, a free weekly LinkedIn newsletter about writing in the age of AI. Thousands of people subscribed within its first few days, a response that confirmed something I've felt for some time: writers and professionals alike are struggling to understand a landscape that is shifting unbelievably fast. I know some of you are deeply interested in AI. Others are wary of it. I understand both positions. And that's why my purpose in the newsletter isn’t to push anyone into becoming a raving AI enthusiast. My responsibility as a teacher, however, is to make sure those of us who care about writing understand what is happening, are able to remain professionally relevant, and aren’t left behind while others decide how these new machines will shape the future of communication. AI output, while sometimes impressive, is already becoming easy to recognize. And not in a good way. Often, the words, tone, punctuation, rhythms, and metaphors feel too slick, too orchestrated, to be genuinely engaging. As a result, AI-generated writing is starting to be seen, by many, as less valuable than prose that is felt as being shaped by a human hand. Some people I know now even refuse to consume anything that smells like it was machine-written. Part of the reason for that repulsion is that AI is being used carelessly, or irresponsibly, by those who have little knowledge of the craft we in this community hold dear. Ironically, it's my belief that the best equipped to thrive in this new world will be the ones who understand equally well the capabilities of AI and the craft of writing. Indeed, those who reject AI completely face the risk of falling behind in important ways, while those who neglect deepening their understanding of craft risk losing their voice, style, and individuality to non-sentient, non-feeling machines. I recognized early on in my experiments with AI that it was never going to replace the best writers. On the contrary, I saw that the greatest ones were going to have a field day with the technology, for reasons my newsletter makes clear.

I am looking to improve my personal writing style. I’ve been a ghostwriter for over 10 years, but now I’d like to dive into more personal and creative writing.

Hello, EWA Community. It’s been a while but I’m finally back. In this era of AI, it is more important than ever to develop writing skills for creativity and innovation. I am fond of AI but my pride does not allow me to use outsource my thinking and content creation to a valuable tool like AI. Shani and his community will help me a great deal in becoming the Professional Writer (and perhaps by extension, an Insightful Reader because Writing and Reading go hand-in-hand) that I dream of becoming. I look forward to connecting with you all. 😊

I’d like to understand the most important challenges you’re facing as a writer or editor. Have those challenges changed since you joined this community? Are you struggling with confidence, clarity, finding your voice, or perhaps wondering how AI will affect your work, and whether it could eventually threaten your job? Please air your grievances below. Be as candid as you like. And if you would rather speak privately, message me directly.

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