Writing as thinking in the age of AI
An opinion piece argues that outsourcing writing to AI risks eroding human thought, creativity and ethical responsibility, turning writing from a cognitive process into a mechanical output.
In his article, Richard Gunderman argues that writing is not merely a way to present ideas but a core human activity through which people think, reflect and form meaning.
He contends that when AI systems generate text on behalf of users, they risk replacing this cognitive process with automated output, weakening the connection between thought and expression.
According to the piece, writing serves as a tool for reasoning, emotional processing and moral judgment. Offloading it to AI can diminish originality, flatten individual voice and encourage passive consumption of machine-produced ideas.
Gunderman warns that this shift could lead to intellectual dependency, where people rely on AI to structure arguments and articulate positions rather than developing those skills themselves.
The article also raises ethical concerns about authenticity and responsibility. If AI produces large portions of written work, it becomes unclear who is accountable for the ideas expressed. Gunderman suggests that overreliance on AI writing tools may undermine trust in communication and blur the line between human and machine authorship.
Overall, the piece calls for a balanced approach: AI may assist with editing or idea generation, but the act of writing itself should remain fundamentally human, as it is central to critical thinking, identity and social responsibility.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!