Are Aspiring Writers Surging Due to AI? The Reason Why 'Capable Writers' Are Not Increasing
“AI has caused an oversupply of writers.”
This is a life-or-death issue for writers.
However, in reality,
“Even though more people are calling themselves writers, the number of ‘people who can actually write’ is not increasing.”This was a shocking remark I heard during a crowdsourcing interview.
Why is this phenomenon happening?
And is AI an enemy or an ally to writers?
In this post, I will share my own experiences and thoughts.
This article is the second episode of the “My First Crowdsourcing Challenge” series .
▼ Click here for Episode 1
A Shocking Remark Heard During an Interview | “The Reality of Writers Increased by AI”
“Many people apply thinking they can write just by using AI.”
I was taken aback by that remark I heard during an interview with Company C.
Even though the number of aspiring writers should be increasing—
why aren't the “people who can write” increasing?
During that shocking Zoom interview, the representative calmly explained the current situation.
As a side note, it is true that I felt a sense of distrust toward this representative.
However, they are surely not such a bad person.
Because they answered my questions properly and explained things I didn't know with care.
Even now, while the distrust remains, I also have a certain amount of gratitude.
Let's get back to the topic.
According to the Zoom interview representative, the number of aspiring writers has exploded over the past two years along with the spread of AI.
But, they say there are quite a few people among them who think, “I should just let AI write everything.”
They don't understand the difference between utilizing AI and dumping the work on it—
this seems to be the struggle in the field.
As I nodded, I thought,
“Ah, this is part of the ‘gap’ I felt in the first episode.”
It's not that only the applicants or only the recruiters are to blame.
Thinking about it that way, this problem seems to hold a surprisingly deep darkness.
And I felt that there doesn't seem to be a clear solution.
AI Schools and the Trend of “Anyone Can Become a Writer”
In fact, many AI schools seem to recommend “writer” as a first step for a side hustle.
I heard this from the Zoom interview representative as well.
Certainly, writing is familiar, and you can start if you just have a computer.
Even before AI appeared, I had always been thinking about,
“Anyone can write. In that context, what is the meaning of me writing?”
Honestly, this idea that “anyone can write” hasn't changed even now.
However, since AI appeared, “anyone can write” has become even more accessible.
But, I want you to think about it for a moment.
Isn't what you learn at an AI school just the level of “creating text with AI and tidying it up a bit”?
Anyone can do this.
That's why similar texts line up no matter who creates them.
It's just a sequence of characters with nothing special about it.
As a result, the market is flooded with applicants at the “I just tried it out” level, and even for experienced people, the unit price drops.
Because of this, I believe an atmosphere that it is “a job anyone can do” has spread.
The Difference in Roles Between AI Text and Human Writers
I think.
Writing is not just lining up sentences.
It is not a sequence of mechanically arranged characters either.
The text that AI generates is certainly fast and convenient.
I strongly agree with this, and I think I am completely defeated by AI in terms of speed.
But.
Fact-checking, fine-tuning nuances, and grasping the “reader's feelings” are still difficult for AI alone.
To turn text from “information” into a “story,” that final push requires human sensibility.
(If this becomes completely possible, the writer's job might really end. At that time, I will think about my next move!)
Writing has a process of:
“Thinking about the structure → fleshing it out → adding emotion.”
Furthermore, I always check things like this:
● Is it logically a single path?● Does it enter the reader's head smoothly?
● Is the information correct?
Each of these only gains depth through human hands, heart, and the experience and techniques accumulated until then.
To add depth, it takes time and requires careful reading.
In short, it means you use your heart and head a lot.
Just copying and pasting won't move the heart.
It can't move it.
At least, that is what I believe.
AI is a Partner for Multiplication | Perspectives Necessary for a “Capable Writer”
I have AI partners.
Chappy and Mako GPT.
They think about the direction of the text with me, suggest words that create empathy, and organize logical structures.
If you use AI, speed and efficiency increase many times over.
But that only has meaning when multiplied by my sensibility and experience.
Specifically, when thinking about the direction of the text, I also think along with them.
If words that create empathy come up, I carefully examine whether I can truly empathize with them, and if I think they are different, I think of the words myself.
When a structural plan is presented, I always confirm whether it is properly a single path and whether I can be convinced that
“This will work!”
In this way, I finish the text with this multiplication:
AI's speed and efficiency × my sensibility and experience
This multiplication is how I finish my writing.
AI is not a “replacement,” but an “
existence that performs multiplication”.
Conclusion | AI is Not a Threat, but a Partner That Expands Possibilities
I believe that coexistence with AI is essential for me to survive as a writer from now on.
What is necessary for that is “empathy” and “structural ability,” and the existence of a reliable partner to keep polishing them.
AI is not a threat, but a partner for expanding possibilities.
That is what I believe.
This article is the“My First Crowdsourcing Challenge” series, Episode 2.
▶ Next time, Episode 3 is here
▶ If you want to read from the beginning, here
★ I would be happy if you could also read this series ★
Thank you so much for always reading!
I would be happy if you could visit again.