The Ruffian NEW POD: James Marriott on whether AI will make writers redundant
22 snips
Jun 15, 2025 
James Marriott, a Times columnist and Substack writer, dives into the provocative question of whether AI tools like ChatGPT could threaten the future of human writers. He shares fascinating insights from his own experiments with AI-generated poetry and literary criticism. The discussion highlights AI’s impressive mimicry of style while addressing its limitations in genuine depth and emotion. Marriott emphasizes the irreplaceable value of personal expression in writing, raising critical thoughts about authorship and the evolving landscape of literature.
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AI Democratizes Writing Skill
- AI writing style is generally better than that of 90% of human writers, especially non-professionals.
- This democratizes writing skill but may reduce the premium paid to skilled human writers.
AI’s Threat to Writing Careers
- AI threatens writers by making decent writing universally accessible for free.
- This shift may lower market value for skilled writing but won't immediately replace professionals.
Premium Writing Gains More Value
- The availability of average writing by AI may increase demand for premium, artisanal human writing.
- Skilled writers might become valued cultural artifacts, akin to museum exhibits with dedicated audiences.
