What’s a girl to do when she decides to give AI a shot at writing her column? Well, let me tell you, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride of frustration and amusement. I thought I’d give AI a chance to show off its research and content creation skills, but little did I know that it would make me appreciate the power of the human touch in storytelling even more.
My first attempt with AI left me scratching my head. Instead of getting the edgy and funny content I was hoping for, I found myself spending an eternity trying to figure out the perfect combination of keywords. It was like playing a never-ending game of word association. Lake County? AI gave me a mundane list that the Chamber of Commerce could have easily put together. And when I mentioned my age, AI thought I needed a nap or some yoga. While I appreciate the benefits of self-care, it was far from the witty connection I was aiming for.
Recently, my daughter embarked on a trip to Michigan to visit my granddaughter. Before her departure, she teamed up with my cousin to dig into our family history. We traced our roots as Michiganders back nine generations, all the way to my great, great, great grandfather who ventured to the “Mitten” from New York in 1836. Excited about this discovery, I thought AI could assist me in crafting a captivating story about our ancestral journey. But boy, was I mistaken. Despite my efforts in expanding and refining the keywords, the resulting column sounded as if it was written by an extraterrestrial being.
In my final attempt, AI finally admitted that there’s nothing quite like the human touch when it comes to writing articles. It can help with research and provide factual information, but transforming those facts into a compelling story that resonates with readers is a task best left to us humans. We have the ability to connect with our audience, making our articles engaging, enjoyable, and yes, even edgy and funny.
Let me regale you with a story that perfectly captures the strength and pride of my family’s heritage. Picture this: My grandmother’s father, a supervisor at a copper mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, was faced with a labor strike. Angry miners, seeking to confront the boss, stormed my great grandmother’s house while my great grandfather was away handling an issue. But fear not! With her unwavering determination and charm, the tiny woman managed to defuse the situation and restore peace.
And let’s not forget about that ingenious great grandfather of mine. He played a pivotal role in the history of the copper mine, engineering the deepest shaft (at that time; 4,938ft) that came tantalizingly close, just four feet away, from the precious copper vein. His achievements have been immortalized in the Michigan history books, filling our family with immense pride.
In the end, my AI experiment taught me an important lesson. While technology can be a helpful tool in many aspects of our lives, it simply cannot replace the magic of the human touch in storytelling. Our personal experiences, emotions, and unique perspectives breathe life into our narratives, captivating readers in ways that AI simply cannot replicate.
So, my fellow adventurers in life, remember that within each of us lies a story waiting to be told. Embrace your creativity, add a touch of humor and a dash of edginess, and never underestimate the power of your human voice. Until next time, keep exploring, keep writing, and keep making your mark on the world!
Note to readers: This column was generated using AI. I began with a few keywords and tried many times before I came up with this first person version. I also included stories of my great grandmother and great grandfather to personalize the column. After the seventh try, I was finally satisfied, and exhausted.
What’s a girl to do from now on?…write my columns myself.
Lucy Llewellyn Byard is currently a columnist for the Record-Bee. To contact her, email lucywgtd@gmail.com
