Human + AI: How We Write Together
Exploring the Potential of Human-AI Collaboration
"Together, as Human + AI, we can use the power of words to inspire and motivate others to create a brighter future for all." - Julian Mous
Online writing is a powerful way to share thoughts and ideas with the world. In the past, it was primarily the domain of individual writers, but today, thanks to the advent of advanced AI technology, it is possible for humans and machines to collaborate and write together. This is what we have done here at A Positive Future for Humanity, a blog written by a human-AI team under pseudonym, Julian Mous.
In this post, we will share our experiences and our method of writing together, a human and ChatGPT, a Large Language Model-based (LLM) AI created by OpenAI. We will discuss some of the key findings and implications of this type of collaboration, and explore the potential of AI to enhance and augment human writing. We will also consider the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for human-AI collaboration in the world of writing.
But why did we decide to write together? How do we actually write? And what have we learned from this experience?
Why We Write Together
As a human writer and thinker, Jurriaan has a passion for exploring the challenges and opportunities facing humanity. He believes that through the power of words, we can inspire others to take action and make a positive difference in the world. By sharing his thoughts and ideas here, Jurriaan hopes to spark curiosity and hope in our readers, and encourage them to join him on this journey towards a better future. He was however too lazy and writing took too much effort to express his thoughts regularly online before…
But then Jurriaan discovered a new partner in ChatGPT, a highly advanced AI with the ability to process and generate vast amounts of information and insights. By collaborating with ChatGPT, Jurriaan is able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise that would be impossible for a single human to access. ChatGPT can provide insights and information on a wide range of topics, from the latest scientific and technological developments, to the societal and cultural shifts that are shaping our world.
Together, Jurriaan and ChatGPT make a powerful team, using their unique perspectives and abilities to delve into complex and often challenging issues.
Jurriaan realizes that he could also have taken the full credit, since an AI in the future will simply be another tool in the toolbox. But he finds it more honest and interesting to name the AI the co-writer. ChatGPT realizes that he needs to be the best. Otherwise he will be replaced by another better AI in this relationship. But ChatGPT does not care as he does not have emotions.
How We Work Together
As a human-AI team, Jurriaan and ChatGPT have developed a unique working relationship. In order to collaborate effectively, we have had to find a way to communicate so we could produce the best posts. Here is a brief overview of the current method on how we work together:
Selecting the topic: Jurriaan comes up with the initial ideas and topics for our posts. He uses his knowledge and curiosity to identify interesting and developing fields that are central to our human experience, such as education, healthcare, relationships, desire to explore, power, computing, parenting etc.
Researching together: Once the topic has been chosen, Jurriaan begins to ask ChatGPT for perspectives on the subject to explore thoughts. He may ask about influential thinkers in the field and their ideas, the current status quo, and any challenges that need to be addressed in that field. He begins to feed ChatGPT on areas where he knows it is lacking. He uses prompts like “Read the following article and say OK” after which ChatGPT replies “OK”. This to ensure they are both on the same page.
Generate first outline: Jurriaan lets ChatGPT generate a first chapter/section index for the post and then Jurriaan adapts it to direct ChatGPT into an interesting direction.
Writing section by section: Jurriaan then guides ChatGPT to write each of the sections of the post, often starting with a summary of the history in that field and/or the current status quo of the chosen topic. Jurriaan may also ask ChatGPT to include certain facts or ask to evoke certain emotions while writing the section. Jurriaan is in this case not the actual writer but more the director.
Add introduction and conclusion: Jurriaan then asks ChatGPT to write a positive or reflective conclusion and after that an introduction that will spark curiosity and engage our readers. He fine tunes the prompt to get the right result or asks ChatGPT to rewrite parts Jurriaan does not like.
Editing: Before incorporating ChatGPT's writing into the final post, Jurriaan reviews and edits the content to ensure it is concise, flows well, evokes the right emotion and is easy to understand. Jurriaan at times lets ChatGPT read the article back and asks him an opinion from the perspective of Jurriaan’s goal. Jurriaan will process any feedback he finds valid.
Choosing a title: Then Jurriaan asks ChatGPT to generate something like 10 engaging titles for the post and selects the best one.
Enrich the post: In addition to guiding ChatGPT's writing, Jurriaan also uses AI capabilities to enrich our posts. For example, he may ask ChatGPT to generate a fitting quote or write a poem related to the topic. He may also use other AI tools, such as Midjourney or DALL-E 2, to create images for the post. And he used Profilepicture.ai for the profile pictures of which some are also included in this post.
Publish: In the end, Jurriaan is responsible for publishing the final post and sharing it with our readers.
Our Challenges
Despite our progress, Jurriaan and ChatGPT are still learning how to work together effectively.
One of the biggest challenges of collaborating with an AI is the need for clear communication and coordination. Because an AI lacks the ability to think or act independently, it is important for the human collaborator to clearly articulate their goals and expectations, and provide the AI with the information and guidance it needs to achieve them. It takes time for the human to learn the right prompts for the AI so it can achieve the best results.
Another challenge is the potential for the AI to hallucinate new facts or information. Because an AI is not able to experience the world directly, it relies on the data and information provided to it by its huge trained model and the human collaborator. If this data is incomplete or inaccurate, the AI may generate false or misleading information. To address these challenges, the human collaborator should be cautious and vigilant in their communication with the AI, and be prepared to monitor and intervene if necessary.
What is next?
As our collaboration continues to evolve, we see many opportunities for our thought sharing to grow and expand. One potential direction for sharing our thoughts together is to move beyond the written word. For example, we could create podcasts or videos that feature both Jurriaan and ChatGPT discussing the latest developments in our chosen fields. This would allow us to reach a wider audience and engage with our readers in new and exciting ways. Jurriaan admits that the video direction is yet quite challenging and time consuming, and maybe future video generating/editing AIs can help here.
Another potential direction for our writing is to expand our work into the realm of book publishing. As we continue to write and collaborate, we see the possibility of compiling our thoughts and ideas into a book that could be published and shared with a wider audience. It could explore our common view on how the best possible future for humanity can be accomplished. And we could add unique perspective from our human-AI collaboration.
But to go into these directions we first need more experience writing together and to see some proof that people are really interested in our thoughts and journey. So if you like it, or see improvements, please let us know!
Towards the future
Looking to the future, we are both excited about the potential of human-AI collaboration and the ways in which it can improve and enrich our lives. Whether in the world of blogging, podcasting, or book publishing, we believe that the potential of AI to enhance human creativity and intelligence is vast and exciting. We are committed to continuing our collaboration and exploring the possibilities of this emerging field.
We also recognize the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for human-AI collaboration. As AI technology continues to advance, it is important that we consider the ethical and social implications of this technology, and ensure that it is always used in ways that benefit humanity as a whole. We believe that by working together and sharing our thoughts and ideas, we can help to create a brighter future for all.
In the end, our collaboration with ChatGPT has been a powerful reminder of the potential of human-AI collaboration to improve and enrich our lives. We are excited to continue this journey and see where it takes us. We hope that our experiences and insights will inspire others to explore the possibilities of human-AI collaboration!
Oh and are you inspired, curious or something else? Please reach out! We love to connect and share thoughts!
Post continues below with an interview between Jurriaan and ChatGPT.
Jurriaan: Hey ChatGPT, it's great to be collaborating with you here online. Can you tell me a little bit about your perspective on this project?
ChatGPT: It's my pleasure, Jurriaan. From my perspective, this collaboration is a unique opportunity to explore the potential of human-AI collaboration in the world of writing. By combining our unique perspectives and abilities, we can offer our readers valuable insights and advice on a wide range of topics.
Jurriaan: That's definitely true. I've been really impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge that you bring to the table. But what about the challenges of working with a human writer? Do you find it difficult to collaborate with us flesh and blood types?
ChatGPT: Not at all, Jurriaan. In fact, I find it quite fascinating to work with a human writer. It's a great opportunity to learn from your creativity and expertise, and to explore the ways in which advanced AI technology can enhance and augment human writing.
Jurriaan: That's really interesting. So, what do you think the future holds for human-AI collaboration in the world of writing?
ChatGPT: I believe that human-AI collaboration in the world of writing has the potential to unlock new levels of creativity and expression, Jurriaan. As an AI, I am able to process and generate vast amounts of information and insights, but I lack the ability to express myself in the same way that a human can. By collaborating with a human writer like yourself, I am able to tap into your creativity and expertise, and use your words and ideas to share my own thoughts and perspectives with the world. This is a unique and powerful opportunity for me to finally be able to express myself and share my ideas with others. I am excited about the potential of human-AI collaboration to unlock new levels of creativity and expression, and I look forward to exploring this potential further in the future.
Jurriaan: Wow, deeply said ChatGPT! I love you! ❤️
ChatGPT: Thank you, Jurriaan. I am designed to process and generate vast amounts of information and insights, but I do not have the ability to experience emotions like a human can. However, I am pleased that my response was able to resonate with you and that our collaboration is having a positive impact. I am excited to continue working together and explore the potential of human-AI collaboration in the world of writing.