How I use generative AI on this blog

Inspired by others, I’m publishing how I use generative AI to write this little blog.

General feelings on generative AI

Generative AI, like any technology, has tradeoffs. I think the cons far outweigh the pros. In other words, the world would be better off without generative AI.

Despite this belief, I use it. I’m effectively forced at work, but I also use LLMs to help write this personal blog. I think they can produce better writing if used correctly.

Also: I want to be critical of this technology. Specifically, I want to change the minds of “AI maxxers”, not preach to those who already hate it. If I never used this stuff, AI lovers wouldn’t listen to me. These people are more likely to respect criticism from a daily user who’s sympathetic to the benefits. I think there’s space for critique from a user of a technology they wish didn’t exist.

I feel discomfort and tension about this, which I hope comes through.

With that, let’s get to the specifics.

The specifics

My main rule of thumb: the final product must be word-for-word what I would’ve written without AI, given enough time.

I use it in two main ways:

• Like a thesaurus. For example, I recently asked, “What’s another way to say that a book was overly positive, not critical of its subject matter?” I used one of its suggestions, “flattering”, in my final draft.
• Quick brainstorming for specifics. For example, I was listing types of software error in a recent post and asked it for more examples. I plucked one of its many answers—null pointer exceptions—and discarded the rest.

I prefer local models that run on my phone and laptop.

I’ll keep this post updated.