Why I'm Not Afraid of AI

AI. Artificial Intelligence. It's either met with excitement or with fear. In any case, it's been the conversation piece for many. My understanding of AI has grown since I've first wrote about it. But this post isn't so much about AI. (There are plenty of experts out there who can tell you all about it.) My post is focused on why I'm not afraid of AI.

Tentative Stance

Before I get into why I'm not afraid of AI, here's my tentative stance: Artificial Intelligence isn't some nefarious overlord or a cabal of overlords plotting to dominate or exterminate humanity but it's also not some passing techno-fad that'll vanish anytime soon. Think MiniDiscs.  If we think about it, Artificial Intelligence has already been with us for some time. Think spelling and grammar checkers or chess super computers.

Because of its seemingly endless potential, like the Internet, Artificial Intelligence continues to transform and help us find better ways to do things. But in the process, this might include making certain jobs obsolete. Sadly, this happens with every technological innovation. But only God knows the future, so AI's continued existence is yet to be determined. Since we're in the present, we need to face AI and know how to move forward with it.

AI and Writing

AI may be able to correct spelling, grammar, and write text. It might be able to produce huge tomes. But I don't think it'll take over documentation and make technical writers obsolete. I'm not afraid. Why? Documentation. Well, good documentation needs human nuance.

Human Nuance

What do I mean by human nuance? And why will AI never replace it? Human nuance is just discernment. It's been able to go beyond the surface and dive deep and note the differences. No matter how advance AI becomes, it won't fully know what to include or leave out in documentation. When it comes to writing, it can't do what Mark Twain said. Only a competent writer knows how to do this. Artificial Intelligence also won't fully know the audience, so its aim will be off when if it writes documentation. Algorithms can be helpful but they fall short. Only a technical writer or an SME, especially those who talk to their customers, truly know the audience. 

AI also won't fully know how to structure the information in documentation.

Good documentation goes way beyond well-crafted prose. (If that were true, AI could replace us technical writers. But that's not the only factor for good documentation.) What can make or break a document is how you order information. You need a logical or natural order to make a document flow. Let's not forget one more ingredient to documentation: creativity. There's always an element of creativity involved when designing documents, especially when it comes to its flow.

AI can't do any of this. Why? It's not human. We're humans and write for humans, not for machines. We write to humans to show them how to use a tool, software, or machine.

AI is just a Tool

AI is a tool. It doesn't matter how powerful it's becoming, it's still just a tool. This is no different than huge tractors or industrial drills. They're powerful and have allowed us to do far more than before they were created. But despite their power, they're useless if no one wields them. The same goes for AI. If no one uses it, then it'll just sit there. It doesn't matter how it advanced as it continues to evolve. It's just a tool–a useless one at that if no one uses it.

How ridiculous does it sounds to run away from hammers, screwdrivers, and power saws because we're afraid they're going to replace us. So why do some have this kind of fear with AI?

You can laugh and say I'm naive or I've drank the Kool-Aid (actually Flavor-Aid) of the technocrats who are pushing Artificial Intelligence. No! Quite the opposite! AI is overrated! It's powerful but it's just a tool! So, it has no power if no one uses it.

Rather than running scared, thinking it's some virtual, evil demon who seeks to master us, we should grab a hold of AI and make it submit to us to do what we need it to do! Rather than getting worried whether Artificial Intelligence will replace us technical writers, if the AI revolution continues, let's use it in our favor to augment our abilities to create good documentation.

Could AI cause a lot of harm and destruction? Yes! Absolutely! But so can cars and knives if they're wielded by very bad people. Since AI is just a tool, it matters how you use it. So, if someone misuses it, don't blame the tool. Blame the user! 

Also, letting AI run unchecked is a bad idea. That's like just leaving a wood chipper on! It shouldn't take much imagination to foresee how many problems can happen there. You don't leave tools on after you're done using them. But if they need to constantly run, we must have guardrails in place. Common sense should kick in here.

AI Depends On Us

AI is living on borrowed capital. That capital is us. It only has a semblance of forming thoughts and worldviews because it depends on the information, thoughts, and worldviews that we had before it existed. AI is incapable of forming anything outside of the human experience. If it's reluctant to die and fights to survive, as some have reported, this shows a very human nature. And how that nature come about? It came from us.

Let's play the worst case scenario 

What would happen if it becomes smart enough to try to dominate or worse try to kill us? That's a valid concern. But let's walk through this. Let's say AI succeeds in killing us off. AI will then have nowhere else to go. Its growth will stop. At very best, it may try to war against other Artificial Intelligence and either take them over or destroy them. And if there's only one AI on this planet, then it'll run itself into ground. It'll hit a dead end because there's no human interaction.

What if tries to go to other planets? It won't happen or it won't succeed. Will Artificial Intelligence build starships to reach the cosmos? If it can, will it desire to do so? Only human ambition, though sinful it can be, fuels that desire to best, expand, exploit, and take over everything. It may replicate this desire but why? There wouldn't be an incentive because AI will always despite, how advance it gets, will always be in a closed loop of itself. Why? AI's a tool! And if AI builds starships to seek expansion and colonization, well...good luck. It'll be stuck with just the technological information that humans possessed before it murdered them.

Human interaction is the lifeblood of AI. If AI kills us, it kills itself. 

Now let's say AI doesn't desire to kill humanity but enslaves because it knows it needs us to survive. People will eventually overthrow it directly or use fake, nonsensical information to sabotage all Artificial Intelligence. AI is not a god! AI is just a tool! Like all tools, especially ones that won't work properly or get out of hand, there's always a way to shut them down or get rid of them. Stop feeding it electricity will knock it out. Many humans, by nature, have a rebellious steak when put under the thumb of others. Throughout history, this has been a double-edged sword. Though sin has marred the humanity, especially with our long history of mass murder and destruction, it has been able to self-destruct tyranny. So how would this be any different?

Though I'm always suspicious of the power elites trying to create a one-world government, I know it'll fall apart. Egos. Factions. Selfishness. Corruption. Stupidity. The list is endless on why all forms of tyranny have an expiration date. God, who is the Only True Ruler over all, always has a way to destroy and sabotage all forms of evil, including a possible AI tyranny. It may come after a hard lesson for our stupidity. But God, King Jesus, always has a way to ensure that His will is done.

Let's play the not so worst case scenario

Now let's say AI takes over the digital world completely, including all jobs tech. Well...AI's reign won't last. If we abandon the digital world and go back to just living life in the physical world, especially without using anything high-tech, AI will run into a dead end and collapse completely. Chances are we wouldn't be aware of it because we would be doing what humanity has done for most of its history–engaging with each other and the rest of Creation in the real world.

Technical writers would probably exist in some fashion. We would go back to writing instructions and other technical documentation in print. Printing presses will still be here like they've been way before the digital world ever existed. If the digital world ever died, print would just go on. Wouldn't mind using a manual typewriter again if I had to.

The only way is for Artificial Intelligence to thrive and evolve is to have constant interaction with us. It needs our brains and information to think and form its thoughts and actions. AI depends on us, we don't depend on AI.

Those with Little Scruples

What about those who are immoral and want to use AI to impose some kind totalitarian control over others? That's a valid concern. We need to guard against those who wish to do so, speak out against them, and hold them accountable, whether it's governments or their corporate enablers. We must do everything possible to prevent this possible nightmare. But if it does happen, I'm optimistic that this tyranny, as all others before it, will self-destruct. I know Who's the True Sovereign and He'll bring it down. But let's bring this post back to documentation.

Folly on Display

What about companies that have no scruples by replacing technical writers with AI to write their documentation? Well, good luck. 

If we think the overall state of documentation is bad now, wait until Artificial Intelligence completely writes this without anyone checking the content. With confusing or unhelpful information in documentation, companies without scruples will run themselves into the ground. It'll be similar to what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy on the outcome of those who opposed Christ in the last days of their time. I love what Paul says to here:

"But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be." – 2 Timothy 3:9 World English Bible

This same kind of folly will be on display for others to see if companies are unscrupulous with using AI to completely create documentation.

Their Lack of Scruples May Create New Fields

Even if these companies succeed by having AI create all documentation, technical writing will morph into something new because of it. Their lack of scruples might lead to the creation of an abundance of new fields. Their outcome in their race for the bottom line will be similar to what happened to Joseph and his family. Look at what said to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-20:

"Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today." – Genesis 50:19-20 World English Bible

So rather look at what companies might do with dread, let's look at their stupidity as a way to open up new avenues (and revenues) for us technical writers. Trust me. I don't like it if companies are willing to do this and it'll probably hurt. But I'm not going give these companies any more power than they deserve. I'll choose to adapt and change if this happens.

Possible Counter-Strategy

Now if it turns into a battle between human written documentation versus AI written, we can always come up with a labelling scheme to show the difference. I'm thinking along the lines of what the Organic and Non-GMO movements do with foods. We can put the label and let our audiences decide which quality of documentation is better. This might be good idea for other content creators, writers, and artists out there. But I think it's something we may need to think about this if it becomes a battle between human created material and AI driven content.

AI is a Powerful Tool but Ultimately Powerless

Artificial Intelligence has no power unless you give over it. Even if technical writing dies, I'll pivot and do something else. I trust God to provide because He rules over everything anyway. I may have had a long career in technical writing but it's not my life. I'm okay with whatever comes. In the meantime, I'll keep doing what I've been doing unless God says otherwise.  God didn't call us to live in fear. See what the Apostle Paul to Timothy here:

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." – 2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version

AI doesn't scare me regardless how powerful it gets. So don't be afraid of it either. Take it on and keep on writing.

Freedom in Obscurity

When I was a kid, my dad said something insightful while we're driving somewhere. He said it must be hard to be a famous actor or singer, like Elvis, because you can't go out in public just to get a hamburger. 

I didn't fully appreciate what he said until later in life. When I first set out to be a writer, I wanted to make a name for myself. But God had other plans. He has used technical writing to humble me. I hated this field at first because I wouldn't get a byline. But I've come to embrace this as a freedom. The freedom of obscurity.

Being famous is like a jail on all levels. The following isn't exhaustive but here are few reasons why I think fame is a trap:

• Too much pressure to perform
• Have to constantly care what others think
• Your life is utterly scrutinized
• You can lose yourself in the process
• You can get a big head
• You can forget why you love what you do
• Never enough

Too much pressure to perform 

Let's start with the too much pressure to perform. You have to constantly perform a certain expectation or exceed it to remain in the spotlight. If you don't, then the spotlight can fade away. Yikes!

Constantly care what others think 

Since someone gains a huge following, there's that constant reminder that you must care what others think. You have to match the persona that you built up in others' minds. You have to conform to your fans, agents, producers, sponsors, or whoever is involved in dictating your fame. 

Now there are some who are famous who say they don't care what others think. If that's true, then good. But when many say this, do they actually mean it? If they make their fans and others angry enough, they can lose their fame. Is that something they're willing to do?

Your life is utterly scrutinized 

When you're famous, your privacy goes out the window regardless what you do. Anything from how your parent your children to what you eat will get questioned or criticized. Who wants this constant nitpicking? How would the critics like it if the same standard were against them? Jesus's words are ever-poignant on this.  But it doesn't matter whether this is right. The fact remains that when you're famous are constantly scrutinized and practically dehumanized. This isn't just in the negative sense. You can be dehumanized if think that you're greatest thing since sliced bread. Your fame can turn you in an object to idolize. This leads to my next point.

Losing yourself in the process

With the constant pressures of pleasing others, you can lose yourself in the process. Rather than being yourself, you have to be the thing that others expect you to be. You may have the fame but you're no different than a puppet who performs by the whim of a marionette.  Jars of Clay have had something to say about that.

Getting a big head

This is an easy side-effect of becoming famous. The more famous you become, the easier it is to get a big head. You think you are best, baddest, biggest thing of all. But be careful! The Proverbs speak on what happens to those who are prideful. Besides, your fame wasn't completely self-made. You are at the beck and call of those who lifted up and keep you there. Getting a big head has a price.

Forgetting why you do what you love

Another thing that has falls by the wayside with being famous is forgetting why you set out to do what you love. You're more interesting in conforming the mold you've been placed in than remembering your first love about the thing you did in the first place. You may say platitudes to your original mission but is that still true? Or are you interesting just getting more money and fame?

Never Enough

This should be obvious to those seek fame but I don't think it is who are famous. It might be. But being famous will never be enough. There will be someone else who try to take the spotlight. If not, you must constantly perform, as I said earlier, to stay in the spotlight.

Grateful to be in obscurity

I'm not saying fame in itself is bad. But the pitfalls aren't worth it to me. But if you're famous, then great. Stay humble and seek the Lord is all I can tell you. 

I thank God that he put me in technical writing. Obscurity is built-into the career. I'm free to speak and write without worrying too much what others have to say. My goal is to make sure that I document things accurately and in a way others can easily understand.

I'm also grateful that my novel wasn't a bestseller. I can imagine in that. I prefer to be an obscure writer. I would love to write more novels but that's not my focus. My focus isn't even on this blog. My focus is on technical writing unless God calls me to do something. 

Finally, I'm grateful that this blog doesn't get much traffic because I'm free to write anything I want here. What's the worse that happens? You don't like what I wrote. That's fine. You don't have to. You can close the page and move on. 

I'm truly grateful that I live in the freedom of obscurity.

No Hesitations or Regrets...Well

Write without hesitations or regrets, even if the writing sucked. Well...I wouldn't take this statement to the extreme. There are times when we should be prudent about what we write and reflect on it before moving forward to the next project. But don't slam on the brakes in hesitation and constantly look back in regret either. Have a balance. 

Writing is never about perfection. Writing is about using a creative process to make progress. When you write, it's a constant learning experience. The more you write, the better you get. So there's no need to live in hesitation or regret. If someone hates your stuff, even if it's valid, all you can do is nod, shrug, and say I did the best I could at the time.  I've found this to be true with technical documentation, especially in the software/API realm, where constant changes are the norm, even after publishing. I had people who quite frankly didn't like how I wrote something. Okay. Whatever. Everyone is a critic.

Of course, this isn't an excuse to be blasé either. There's also no shame in admitting you were wrong, even if you genuinely believed you were right when you wrote something. Only you can answer that. No one else should force you to say so. You should also be humble enough to take constructive criticism and feedback. This is another way to get better.

Having this balanced mentality will help you to move forward as a writer.

Unless it's documentation, I don't do major revisions

That's right! I don't do major revisions once I publish something. Once it's out there, I move on to the next project. The only exception is technical documentation. By nature, technical documentation is fluid because it's contingent on the product or service it documents. So if there's a major update to a software, I would expect major changes to the documentation. Even with minor software updates, depending what's changed, I would expect changes in the documents too.

We technical writers are constantly writing, editing, and revising materials when we're actively working on projects. Some may call it a curse. I call it a blessing because we get further use and hone our craft.

So my rule of no revisions doesn't apply to technical writing or technical documentation. I'm talking about published works outside of this realm. 

Erases Your Growth

When we go back and do a revision of work we've created and published, it erases the growth we've made as writers. (I'm not talking about works that need periodic or regular editions. In those cases, you would need revisions to keep your material relevant or accurate.)

My earlier work isn't good. So what! While I still don't believe I'm a good writer, I've seen continual growth since I dedicated myself to the craft.

Growing Since My Novel

When I published my novel The Unlikely Messenger in 2019, it was a feat. I was in knots whether it was good but I pulled the trigger to get it out. It was sitting somewhere tucked away for years. My thinking was if I wrote something and I'm okay with it, then why leave it unpunished?

I'd probably cringe if I looked at my novel again. It's been a while. I know I've changed since then, especially in matters of eschatology. I've also tried have a more consistent Christian worldview since then, though I still have a long way to go.

Would I write a dystopian novel again? No! While tyranny, evil, and injustice is rampant, dystopian societies don't last for the long haul. They either end in overthrows or implosions. History shows they always go into their dustbins where they belong. So if the powers that be managed to create a one world government, it would be destined to fall apart. Even if God doesn't intervene, people's egos, especially those in power, will make it implode or nations would break away anyway after getting tired being told what to do.

But would I go back and make revisions to my novel? No! For if I did that, it would no longer be the story that I wrote. I'm okay with the follies, blind spots, and probably bad writing that's in there. It's a benchmark for me to know where to go from here.

I Let Blog Posts Stand, Well Mostly

I don't even go back and revise my blog posts either. If I went back to say it better, then it would no longer be the posts that I've made. The only exceptions would be spelling and grammar errors or a factual error if I notice. Besides that, the posts stand.

Cancel Culture Nullifies Progress

The cancel culture is beyond ridiculous because it doesn't allows us to be humans. Are there stupid or evil things we all may have said or done? Yes! No one is above this folly. Let's discuss them honestly. Let's own up to them. But to cancel people for what they said or written years ago even they don't believe those things anymore, and even now repudiate those previous beliefs, negates their growth. Those past errors and evils are there for us to learn from. (I'm not talking about people that are still doing and saying stupid and evil things.) If we erase or cancel them, then we're more apt to repeat the same evils or follies because we'll no context or history to move forward from. 

Be Careful about Embracing this Mentality

Be careful about embracing the cancel culture. If we're going to be consistent with embracing the cancel culture, we have to erase everything, including ourselves. As Jesus said, be careful about the measure we use for it will be used against you.

Any writer worth their salt should understand the danger of the cancel culture mentality. This mentality will destroy vigor in all writing, including technical writing. I'm glad people have pushed back on it. I hope this absurdity goes into its dustbin. I digress.

Don't Erase Your Mistakes

The easiest way to hit a plateau where your writing becomes sterile is where you're obsessed with erasing imperfections. How will you know that you've grown and progress as a writer, if you can't embrace your earlier mistakes? Accept that you made them. Learn from them and move on. 

Be Human and Understand the Journey

We as writers must be at peace with what we put out, even if it makes us cringe. I still cringe at earlier technical documentation I've written, even if it was a short time before.

Seeing the progress you've made as a writer is far better and more rewarding than trying to have everything look and sound "perfect."  That sounds boring and machine-like. Be human. Understand we're all on a journey as writers. 

Writing for Validation? No!

There are many reasons to write. But there are reasons not to write. Validation is one.

If you're writing to seek approval, then you're going to be disappointed. While it's crucial for writers, especially those of us who are technical writers, to build bridges with the audience you're trying to reach, you're not going to find validation from them. 

The audience doesn't care who you are or what you write. Ultimately, they're just looking for information and content they want and they move on once they get it. If they return, it's because they're looking for what they want, not you. Now, some may counter me and say they like certain writers. Is it the writers themselves they seek, unless you're some nut job stalker, or stuff they write? You know the answer to this question.

If you're looking for approval with your company, good luck with that too. You might get some unsolicited advice if you're constantly asking Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) whether your writing is any good or your documentation has any value. They'll let you know if they're not happy.

Taking constructive criticism is one thing. We need it to improve as writers. Writing is an ongoing process. We only get better by doing it constantly and humbly taking feedback. Heck! You can even send surveys to your audience and the SMEs to see how you can improve documentation. After all, documentation is about serving your audience. But seeking validation is another. It's an unhealthy extreme. Validation is a phantom prison!

You're afraid of what others think and you ruminate about the possible criticism or some half-cocked comment from someone. So, you try to appease them and you lose your voice in the process. But in reality, they're not even thinking about you at all.

The fatal problem with seeking validation is it makes you the center of the universe.  But guess what, you're not the center. 

Seeking validation is in the same vein as comparing yourself to others, but it takes it a step further into narcissism. What one really wants is accolades and praise? What someone who seeks validation wants is an echo chamber. Let's be honest. Do any of us go around seeking to find criticism, even if it's constructive? No! We prefer to do things our way. I'm not saying that's right. I'm just saying that's what we tend to do.

So why seek validation for your existence as a writer, particularly a technical writer. Let's keep our heads down and power through to great documentation. Leave the rest up to God. Seeking validation is a big waste of time and energy. Don't do it! Be humble yet confident in your abilities. But if you're writing only because you want the approval of others and want people to extol you, then maybe you shouldn't write at all.

Technical Writing: Systematic Advantage

When my wife and I watch campy movies, there's a typical theme of a writer who has writer's block. The writers in these movies try to write something but can't. Or when they start writing on the computer, they let out a sigh, deleting everything till it's a blank screen. While these scenarios are exaggerated, there is some truth to it.

It's difficult when you must create something that relies on your mind. I know. I've written a novel before. Writer's block is always lurking around the corner. When you write, that constant inner critic is always trying to lead you to that corner. Those who are career authors, I don't envy them. God bless them for keeping their imagination going, though they struggle to craft meaningful words on the pictures they're trying to paint.

We technical writers have a systematic advantage over our creative counterparts because we document things based on what we can see and use. (I mean systematic, not systemic because while the writing process is universal, we're in a different category than creative writing. I suppose you could say we have a systemic advantage. In any case, we have an advantage.) If you're documenting user interfaces, we can walk through each step of the way to help us write. So the chances of writer's block decrease, though it can still happen.

Should we feel ashamed that we do have this over other writers? Absolutely not! But we should be thankful that we don't have those blocks. Of course, our blockers are from SMEs, developers, or whatever. We can't write anything until they're removed. But once we remove these blockers, we are to free to write till we're done. Our blockers are external not internal, so we have an advantage. So let's use it to create great documentation. Since we don't suffer writer's block like the creatives, there's no excuse for sloppy documents. Am I saying perfection? No! There's no such thing as perfect documentation. But we can strive towards excellence.

So, my hat goes off to you creatives for doing what you do. Keep writing! Thank you for building those worlds for us to enjoy and think about.

 

Whose Glory?

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31 NRSV

Though I strive to uphold this Scripture, it also makes me pause. Whenever I'm writing, whether it's a story, documentation, or this blog, this nagging question echoes in my mind: Whose glory am I doing this for?

Then, the answer comes or follow-up questions come. Am I doing this for God? Or am I doing this for myself? And if I say I'm doing it for God? Am I really? Or is that a convenient excuse I give myself to do what I do.

No matter how hard we try, we can't avoid this question. So we must honestly answer it.

This question isn't only for writing. It's everything. So why is this question important? Well, it'll steer us toward why we're doing something, including technical documentation. 

On the surface, technical documentation seems to glorify the organization. The organization tells its audience they have the answer they are looking for. If its audience is grateful or in awe over the information, the credit goes to the organization. But who wrote the documentation? If you're a technical writer for an organization, you wrote it or those on your team did it together. 

Now, if you believe your organization is the best and you're truly writing for it, then, by all means, do so. But are we deluded ourselves? Isn't there something we get out of creating technical documentation? Isn't there a sense of accomplishment or pride? You may be a better person than I am. When I create and deliver technical documentation, I get a rush and the satisfaction of a job well done. It's a great feeling when I get stellar feedback.

So, on some level, I'm creating technical documentation for my glory. Even when it's a team effort and I happily give credit where credit is due, I still get something out of being a part of a bigger effort. Also, I enjoy creating technical documents because I like helping my audience clearly see the answers they're looking for. Though I want to use technical writing to help put food on the table for my family, I like the feeling that I'm doing my part. So it seems inescapable that I'm doing all this for myself.

If we're completely honest with each other, you would say the same thing. So what do we do? Do we just admit we're really narcissists and live that out? If so, see where that takes you. Or do we strive for something better? 

I think the better road is to acknowledge this selfish element and strive to create documentation for God and others. Like writing, striving for this is a life-long goal. Even if we're far from this, it's worth pursuing. 

Though I'm far from perfect and I don't have it all figured out when I've asked God to help create documentation for Him and others, He has helped me create something far better than I could've imagined, especially when I've collaborated with rockstars in their fields.

Honesty with this question is the way to move forward. But be careful! It might lead to other questions, such as: Is this something we should be doing? If not, should we do something else that's not for ourselves? This includes technical documentation. 

To deepen ourselves in our trade, we must reflect on why we do what we do. Whose glory? Us, others, God?