An AI helped me write this

ABC 150: On artificially augmented creativity

This week I got access to a new AI-assisted writing tool called Lex. It's like Google Docs, but when you type "+++" it tells you what you could say next.

The debate about whether automation will help or hurt workers often pulls toward extremes. But in my opinion the future will look more like my experience with Lex: the tool didn’t replace me; it augmented my writing process by helping me generate new ideas.

Tools like Lex are creating a whole new genre of literature. My favorite such piece was written by my mentor, Vauhini Vara, and an algorithm called GPT-3. Reading it gave me chills—both because of the haunting writing and the process of its creation.

The essay is incredibly moving, but you don’t have to take my word for it. It was adapted for a This American Life episode and will be anthologized in Best American Essays 2022.

Here’s the piece: Ghosts

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Warmly,
Simo

P.S. The song of the week is a folk classic. Sometimes all you need is a guitar and some poignant lyrics…
P.P.S. I have 5 invites to Lex. Reply if you’re interested in giving it a spin.