Jennifer Wallace
AI content editing tools are a helpful resource, but how well can they measure up to human writers? Good writing requires nuance and careful consideration. Language learning models can only take you so far, and the same is true for AI content editing services. Let’s discuss some pitfalls of using AI content editing tools to replace human editing.
Writers and AI Editing Tools
At Content Cucumber, we’ve had entire threads devoted to the crazy things AI content editing tools tell us to rewrite. While it can be helpful for spotting the occasional typo or misspelled word, the general consensus is that it’s aggravating. Maybe it’s because it’s human nature to recognize when things are going wrong. Maybe it’s because it’s awful.
So why do writers have such a love-hate relationship with AI editing tools?
Repetition as a Literary Device
One of the things that AI content editing tools warn against is repetition. If the AI recognizes that a word is used over and over, it’ll prompt you to remove the repetitive words. This can be a helpful way to push writers outside of their linguistic comfort zones, but sometimes it does more harm than good.
Repetition is often used as a literary device, adding a forceful emphasis to the point. It can also anchor a textual idea. Edgar Allen Poe’s “Nevermore” is a great example of this. Every repetition of the word echoes the finality of his lost love as the speaker is eventually driven to madness. In the same way, a musical motif can change throughout a show, repetition can hold a different meaning depending on where it’s placed.
AI content editing tools would destroy the beauty of literary masterpieces like “Nevermore” by removing the repetition. The gonging bell that increases dread as it echoes the finality of his lost love would be… nevermore.
SEO Rules: Use Simple Words
Another common suggestion from AI editing tools is to use more complex words.
Don’t get me wrong – I love using flowery language. But, according to SEO best practices, smaller words and shorter sentences are easier to scan. Using more complex terms might work great for novelists or college students writing a paper, but it’s pretty useless for content writers who care about SEO.
Go Home, AI Editing Tools – You’re Drunk
Those who use AI editing tools on a daily basis have seen them at their best and their worst. Some days are better than others. Personally, I’ve learned to live with the fact that my cursor turns white every time I reinstall our AI editing tool. It’s highly annoying, but the fixes I found online only work until I reinstall the tool. It catches things I’d otherwise miss (sometimes you’re just staring at a doc for too long), so I keep it around.
It’s a bit like a best friend who’s had too much to drink, though. They both reach a point where they think their ideas are brilliant, but since you’re sober, you know they’re speaking nonsense. Let me present Exhibit A, pulled from an actual conversation on our messaging platform.
Considering AI editing tools can have considerable repercussions.
Despite the ire our team feels, we still feel empathy when really bad stuff goes down in the AI editing tool world. Because we’ve got some developers and customer service personnel on our team, it was painful to see the suggestions that cropped up last month.
I respectfully “would you like” for fewer of these things to happen.
Turns out we aren’t the only ones this happens to.
When It’s Right, It’s Helpful
For all of the frustration we harbor toward AI editing tools, they definitely cut down on editing time. When there are grammatical and syntax errors in the text, it can help writers easily spot them. Still, the best use for AI editing tools is just that – as a tool. You can use it to your benefit, but you shouldn’t rely on it.
Get AI Content Edited By Skilled Humans
AI editing software has its merits, but it can’t replace human editing. In the same way, language learning models can be helpful (and hit a major spike at the beginning of this year), but companies are beginning to realize they can’t replace humans.
For now, AI can’t come close to a human’s ability to think creatively, share stories, personalize content, and mimic brand voice. Sometimes asking AI writing tools to use a certain brand voice comes across as a poor imitation of a niche group rather than a genuine voice.
At Content Cucumber, we have several tools at our disposal. Articles are edited by humans with the help of – but not full reliance on – AI editing tools. Whether you want fully human-written content or want to save time by using our AI editing service, we’ve got you covered. Request a demo to be paired with a writer!
