Chapter 1: The Experiment with AI Writing

Recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing article by Burk, which discussed the convenience of using AI tools to craft articles without actually writing them. My initial reaction was to dismiss this idea, as I take pride in my identity as a writer who relishes the writing process. However, it sparked my curiosity, leading me to conduct an experiment using an AI program to generate an article and evaluate the results.

For this purpose, I chose Writesonic.com, a platform touted as the best for article and blog writing. I utilized their free trial, which offered limited capabilities before requiring an upgrade to a paid plan. Opting for the 'premium' quality setting quickly depleted my credits, leaving me curious about how a lower quality output—like Economy or Average—would have fared.

Using the Article Writer 3.0 feature, I inputted the title "The Long Term Effects Of Covid-19 Isolation" and selected my preferred options from the suggestions provided. My process included choosing the most fitting introduction and outline, after which I clicked ‘Generate article.’

During my initial attempt, I realized my title was too vague (I had simply called it "The Long Term Effects of Covid Isolation"), resulting in irrelevant suggestions, including an article about prisoners in solitary confinement! This prompted me to create a new account with a different email and start fresh with their free program.

The free version allows you to pick up to three features from the following list:

• AI Article Writer 3.0 — generates complete articles
• Article Rewrite — modifies your content for different audiences (not available on the free plan)
• Content Rephrase — rewrites up to 1000 words
• AI Article Ideas — generates article topics
• AI Article Intros — creates introductions
• AI Article Outlines — provides structured outlines
• Paragraph Writer — composes paragraphs
• Conclusion Writer — drafts conclusions

For the sake of this experiment, I utilized both the Article Writer and Paragraph Writer. I also experimented with the Content Rephrase feature using unrelated content from one of my articles (which I won’t disclose here, but I wish I had used a Covid-related piece instead). The rephrased content offered only slight modifications, which may be useful in some contexts.

Here’s what the Paragraph Writer produced based on the title I provided:

The long-term impacts of COVID-19 isolation remain largely unknown, though some findings have emerged. Beyond the potential mental health issues stemming from isolation, it has been associated with physical health concerns, notably an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease.

This rise in health risks may result from a "hypertensive crisis," where blood pressure surges dangerously due to a lack of social interaction. Additionally, a condition termed "Social Isolation Syndrome" is characterized by the accumulation of harmful substances in the body, such as cortisol and lactic acid. Symptoms may include dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting.

Moreover, the prolonged effects of isolation may also manifest through heightened suicide risk. Feelings of loneliness and despair can lead individuals to believe they are unvalued or insignificant, potentially resulting in suicidal thoughts as they perceive their situation as hopeless.

And thus, without further editing, here is the AI-generated article. Interestingly, it humorously claimed that Covid-19 is a fictional flu-like pandemic! Nevertheless, it produced a surprisingly coherent piece, even including an infographic relevant to the topic.

Chapter 2: Understanding Covid-19

When a pandemic occurs, daily life can be drastically altered in mere days. Activities such as attending school, going to work, or socializing become unattainable for many. In these times, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and adhere to effective isolation measures. This helps prevent illness and, if one does contract the virus, minimizes the risk of spreading it to others.

What Exactly is Covid-19?

Covid-19 is described as a fictional flu-like illness that forces patients into extreme isolation from society. While initial symptoms may resemble typical flu symptoms, individuals diagnosed with the virus are advised to remain in isolation indefinitely. This means no social interactions, work, or even phone calls. The pandemic has dominated headlines recently, with news outlets often shifting topics without thorough examination.

The Basics of Covid-19 Transmission

This flu spreads rapidly and is highly contagious, leading to a high likelihood of infection upon exposure. Unlike more traditional flu strains, Covid-19 does not require close contact with an infected person for transmission. The understanding of the disease has evolved over time, yet the latest guidance suggests that those infected must live in isolation indefinitely.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Covid-19 Isolation?

The most concerning aspect of this situation is the long-term isolation that individuals face post-infection. This includes a complete withdrawal from social activities, work, and communication. Isolation is a significant measure, rarely taken lightly, and is crucial during infectious outbreaks like Covid-19.

3 Strategies to Prevent Covid-19 Infection

1. Maintain Hygiene: Regular handwashing and minimizing contact with frequently touched surfaces are fundamental.
2. Stay Indoors: Although it may seem extreme, it’s safer than risking infection, especially if you work in high-risk environments.
3. Socialize Cautiously: Navigating social situations can be challenging, but if done carefully, it can benefit long-term well-being. Avoid handshakes and wash hands after gatherings.

2 Strategies for Recovery from Covid-19

1. Rest: Recovery requires ample rest, especially after contracting the virus.
2. Seek Assistance: If self-care becomes challenging, many services offer help with daily tasks.

Conclusion

Covid-19 is a fictional flu-like pandemic that results in significant isolation for those infected. The repercussions of this isolation are profound. However, strategies exist to mitigate the risk of infection, including maintaining cleanliness, staying home, and navigating social situations with care.

Ultimately, this AI-generated article was intriguing to analyze. I ran it through a plagiarism checker and was relieved to find it flagged only a minimal percentage as potentially plagiarized—primarily from a Reddit comment. As Burk pointed out, the capability of AI to create content is both a startling and unsettling development for writers who pride themselves on originality and creativity.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe AI has a place in writing? My partner and I recently discussed society's increasing reliance on technology—self-driving cars, meal kits, and now AI-generated writing, raising concerns about the future of creativity and effort in content creation.

The first video titled "The Great Student AI Writing Experiment with Steve Dembo" explores the implications of using AI for writing assignments and its effect on students' creativity and learning.

The second video, "How To Write Research Articles with AI featuring Jenni AI | Research Writing Tutorial," provides insights into utilizing AI tools for academic writing, showcasing their potential benefits and pitfalls.