When We Pretend We Definitely Didn’t Use ChatGPT in Professional Works…

Author of Article: Asfaria Chowdhury

Editor of Article: Alvi Navid

Let’s email Sarah about our new event. But it’s too difficult to Google an outline (takes 5 min), but ChatGPT can type my email. Yeah, I wouldn’t definitely let people know that I have short attention span…

…Does this sound like you or someone you know? Do you feel like this is an all too familiar scenario?

I’ve been increasingly seeing Upwork job posts where using AI is strictly prohibited. As a former AI Engineer, I was shocked at the lack of awareness – that ChatGPT and other AI models have clear disclaimers about their contents not being accurate. So here’s the conclusion I’m drawn to:

1. Many are genuinely not aware of how to incorporate AI as a tool, just like we aren’t scared of a computer (well, historically, people did show skepticism when computers were new).
2. Some are aware, and are simply too tired of people depending on AI. Hence, the frustrated Upwork posts.
3. Some are not only aware, but is using AI in digital marketing and other areas.

Why Choose Troublesome Technology?

If there are so many vices of AI, why are some people using them, secretly or openly?

For most of us, when we depend on ChatGPT, Gemini, etc, we feel ashamed to admit because of negative stereotypes in the workplace, be it in-person or freelancing.

And there are those who are using AI “officially”, due to the following benefits:

1. Content Creation: AI is trained on Big Data, i.e. data from around the world. An AI model’s “memory” can definitely handle more information than a human learning “raw data” from a Google search during a tight deadline. So, the human’s “creativity” can be combined with the AI’s “memory” + some extra Google searches. ChatGPT can even produce “clickbait headlines”, which a content writer can edit as per client needs. Wouldn’t automating a huge amount of tasks for a large pile of publication sound great? I am simply, simply, simply shocked at how many clients on Upwork DO NOT want to use ChatGPT but have unrealistic deadline expectations.
2. Reduced Cost: I have never hired a graphic designer when I publish fictional or non-fictional works on SubStack. I simply depend on Gencraft AI since last year, when I started being an independent writer. Of course, large scale tasks require a graphic designer. Many small firms, startups, and independent writers like me save money when we don’t pay a graphic designer. There is also a paid version of Gencraft AI, where you can customize as you wish. This cost is much less than always depending on a graphic designer.
3. Data-driven Marketing: In the digital age, data = power. AI is trained on large models, causing pattern detection in market trends. The human expertise in marketing + AI insights = more efficient marketing
4. Code Debugging: Many of my colleagues from the Engineering team in my former workplace used ChatGPT to debug. Starting from a plethora of front-end libraries to back-end languages, they would feel more comfortable experimenting with ChatGPT rather than Stack Over Flow.
5. App Problems: Numerous professional apps sometimes face problems, either due to its own bugs or due to problems from user end. Let’s face it – Stack Over Flow is full of toxicity – and professionals would rather save time with ChatGPT instead of hours of searching the help manual.

What Do You Think About AI as a Professional Tool?

Comment below honestly about what you think.

1. Is AI a vice or virtue?
2. What scopes of AI is there in your industry?
3. What other thoughts do you have?