Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Kill Writing

Computer scientist and author Paul Graham has cautioned that the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for writing, both in professional and academic settings, poses a significant threat to the development of writing skills among the general population.

Graham, a seasoned investor and co-founder of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator and venture capital firm, asserts that this trend will lead to a decline in writing proficiency due to the craft’s inherent difficulty. He emphasizes that writing requires clear thinking, a skill increasingly challenged by the automation of writing tasks.
“I am usually cautious about making predictions about technology, but I am quite confident in this one: within a few decades, there will be a substantial decline in the number of individuals who possess the writing skills necessary for effective communication,” Graham stated in an essay published on his website last week.

It is not uncommon for skills to become obsolete as technological advancements replace them. For instance, the decline of blacksmiths is an example of a profession rendered redundant by technological progress. However, Graham emphasizes that the inability to write is a more pressing concern, as it hinders the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate.
“A world divided into those who possess writing skills and those who lack them is more perilous than it may seem. It will be a world of thinkers and those who lack the cognitive abilities to engage in thoughtful discourse,” Graham believes.

Graham acknowledges that this scenario is not unprecedented, drawing parallels to pre-industrial times when most individuals engaged in occupations that required physical strength. However, he argues that physical strength is no longer a prerequisite for success in the modern era, as evidenced by the prevalence of fitness and exercise among the population.

In his view, the same trend will apply to writing. “There will still be individuals with exceptional writing abilities, but only those who choose to cultivate and develop these skills,” Graham asserts.
Recent data from the Digital Education Council reveals that approximately 86% of students utilize AI tools in their academic endeavors. Notably, 28% resort to AI for paraphrasing purposes, while 24% employ it to generate initial drafts.