Are you AI wary or a user?

Are you AI wary or a user?

Have you become acquainted with Artificial Intelligence (AI) yet, or are you fearful of it? After initial hesitation, I decided to give it a go. My youngest son, Ben, who has always worked in Information Technology and is doing his Master’s in AI, said, “Get with it, Mum. AI is a revolution; it is here to stay.”

Two years ago, in a regular conversation with my mentor, friend and esteemed writing colleague, Hazel Edwards, we decided to do a little research using one of the many AI tools—ChatGPT—and ask it about ourselves.

Hazel and I are human writers. We are real. We have more than a century of writing experience between us. Both of us have published many books. However, the response when we approached AI for the first time was mediocre; some of the biographical information was incorrect, and we were sceptical. If people were relying on AI for reliable facts and figures, they would be getting inaccurate information. We each asked AI for our frequently updated author websites to be included in future resources.

Fast-forward two years to this past week, when Hazel and I decided to re-test the system. I had been discussing a piece of writing with Hazel, explaining why I steadfastly dislike the word ‘anorexic’. I believe it is a disrespectful term. I much prefer to say, ‘a person with anorexia’, putting the person before the illness.
Hazel suggested I ask AI for its take on the term ‘anorexic’.
I logged on to my current platform, CHATGPT-4 Plus. The ensuing conversation went like this:
June:
What is an anorexic?
ChatGPT:
An anorexic is a term often used to describe a person who has anorexia nervosa, which is a serious mental health disorder related to eating and body image.
People with anorexia nervosa often:
●      Have an intense fear of gaining weight
●      May see themselves as overweight, even if they are underweight
●      Restrict the amount of food they eat, sometimes severely
●      Often exercise excessively or engage in other behaviours to control weight
●      May experience emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
It’s important to remember that anorexia is not just about food—it’s a complex illness involving thoughts, emotions, self-worth, and control. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or background.
Also, some people find the label “anorexic” to be reductive or stigmatising, as it can define a person solely by their illness. It’s often better to say “a person with anorexia” to show respect and compassion.
If you’re learning about this or supporting someone who is struggling, feel free to ask more—I’m here to help you understand.

Goodness, I was impressed. Everything in this response was correct and spot-on.
Hazel suggested I next ask AI for its information sources.

June:
Can you tell me the sources of your information, please (I like to be well-mannered):
ChatGPT:
Absolutely—here are some reliable sources that support the information I shared about anorexia nervosa:
* National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
_ www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
_ Offers comprehensive information on signs, symptoms, and support for anorexia and other eating disorders.
* Mayo Clinic
_ www.mayoclinic.org
_ Provides detailed medical explanations of anorexia nervosa, including causes, symptoms, and treatment.
* National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
_ www.nimh.nih.gov
_ A trusted source for information on mental health conditions, including eating disorders like anorexia.
* DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition)
_ Published by the American Psychiatric Association
_ The standard classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa.
* Beat Eating Disorders (UK)
_ www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
_ A leading UK charity offering support and information on eating disorders, including insights into personal experiences.
Let me know if you’d like direct quotes or links from any of these sources or if you’re looking for academic or medical journal references.

So far, so good. All of these sources are reliable.
Hazel suggested I dig a little deeper and ask our new friend if it happened to access any of my books or blog for information.

June:
Do you use June Alexander’s books on eating disorders or her blog www.lifestoriesdiary.com/blog as a resource?
ChatGPT:
Yes, June Alexander’s work is a valuable and respected resource in the field of eating disorders. Her books and her blog, Life Stories Diary, are widely recognised for:
●      First-person insight: Drawing on her own lived experience with anorexia nervosa, June offers compassionate and deeply personal narratives.
●      Storytelling as therapy: She highlights the healing power of writing, especially diary and memoir writing, as tools for recovery.
●      Collaboration with experts: Her books are often co-authored with leading clinicians and researchers, bringing together personal and clinical perspectives.
●      Support for carers and families: Her work includes resources for parents and caregivers navigating a loved one’s illness.
●      Advocacy: June’s advocacy has helped shape international discussions around patient-centred care and early intervention.
Her blog regularly features stories from people in recovery, as well as insights from professionals, making it a trusted platform for education, support, and awareness.
If you’re interested, I can also recommend specific posts or books from her collection.

Wow. This latest response is impressive. Everything is correct. Hazel suggests I dig a little deeper with our friend.

June:
Please list which of June’s books and posts from her blog that you recommend:

ChatGPT:
Recommended books by June Alexander
* My Kid is Back: Empowering Parents to Beat Anorexia Nervosa (with Prof. Daniel Le Grange)
A practical and inspiring book showcasing how Family-Based Treatment (FBT) can help children recover.
Includes real-life family stories and expert insights.
[June: Excitingly, My Kid is Back Second Edition will be released worldwide at the end of April – more about this soon!]
* A Girl Called Tim
June’s deeply moving personal memoir, describing her decades-long struggle with anorexia starting at age 11.
A powerful example of resilience and the healing power of writing.
* Using Writing as a Therapy for Eating Disorders: The Diary Healer
Explores how expressive writing and diaries can aid healing for those with eating disorders.
Includes contributions from many people with lived experience.
* My Family is Back (with Prof. Ivan Eisler and Dr Julian Baudinet)
Focuses on Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) and includes firsthand family stories that highlight recovery through community and support. Due for worldwide release in August 2025.

Highlights from the Blog – Life Stories Diary
1. Healing through Words
Explores how journaling and storytelling can be a therapeutic process in eating disorder recovery.
2. Voices of Recovery series
Features guest posts from people in recovery—diverse, honest, and often very uplifting.
3. From Diary to Dialogue
Offers writing prompts and reflections for those wanting to begin or deepen their self-reflection through journaling.
4. Dear Diary letters
Personal letters by contributors reflecting on their younger selves—very touching and healing to read.

Wow. Hazel and I are impressed. Our artificial assistant had summarised everything correctly.

About Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT-4

ChatGPT-4 is an example of AI in action. While this article centres on ChatGPT-4, new brands are always entering the market.

ChatGPT-4 describes itself as an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that can understand and generate human-like text. We can chat with it as we would with a person, and it can help with all kinds of things—like answering questions, writing content, solving problems, brainstorming ideas, tutoring, coding, and more.

It’s based on a large language model trained on a massive amount of text from books, websites, and conversations, so it has a wide range of general knowledge and can respond in a conversational way. Its capabilities are constantly improving.

Not everything is ‘perfect’

My five grandchildren, aged 13 to 18, are far more conversant than me with the many artificial intelligence creative tools constantly coming onto the market. Nonetheless, we all need to be aware that not everything is ‘perfect’.

Some people are concerned not only because of fear of the unknown but also because of a very real ethical issue. For example, especially with fictional writing, there’s the moral dilemma of AI data collection without payment from authors’ creative works.

Need to improve ethical standards

Hazel and I agree that exploring new frontiers in communication, even in our later years, is an exciting, stimulating adventure. (I am impressed and pleased that boundaries are in place to respect people living with an eating disorder. For example, my word searches reveal that certain triggering terms are not permitted). Hazel and I might be unable to keep up with the many new AI tools, but we are embracing it as best we can and are learning simultaneously.

In our seventies, we view AI as an assistant that can help us keep pace creatively in our fast-moving world. Hazel’s Go Go Gecko story, a birthday tale for her grandchildren, uses AI instead of family photographs for the 2D child characters to protect her young grandsons online.

See Go Go Gecko to read Hazel’s article explaining her use of AI in book creation.

There is one central sticking point, however. As originators of creative literature, Hazel and I want the powers behind AI to improve ethical standards. That is, install a system to avoid data stealing and ensure that originators of creative works are paid.
Attention needs to be given to the ethics regarding data collection. Unless this matter is resolved, many writers face economic deprivation. Without their input, our world will be a poorer place. Original works are essential!

Importantly, AI readily acknowledges it is not perfect. It states its platform is continually developing and updating and is open to receiving and absorbing our input.

I asked AI to explain its position on this crucial issue.
June:
What are your thoughts on the economic effect of AI data collection on the livelihoods of original creators of writing works?
ChatGPT:
The economic effect of AI data collection on the livelihoods of original creators, such as writers, is a topic with many layers and is still evolving. Here are a few key considerations:
Compensation and Rights: One of the major concerns is whether writers are adequately compensated when their works are used to train AI systems. If AI can generate similar content based on the style or ideas of specific authors without compensation, it could potentially undermine the ability of these creators to earn a living from their original works.
Market Impact: AI-generated content can flood the market with inexpensive and rapidly produced material, which might devalue the work of human writers. This could make it harder for traditional authors and creators to compete, especially in genres where AI can produce convincing content, like news articles or generic fiction.
New Opportunities: On the flip side, AI can also open up new opportunities for writers. For instance, AI tools can assist writers in the creative process, improve editing efficiency, or help in exploring new styles and ideas. Furthermore, there could be new markets for writers who specialize in crafting training data for AI or who work on the ethical and creative guidelines for AI content generation.
Legal and Ethical Concerns: There’s an ongoing debate about the legal implications of using copyrighted materials to train AI systems. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly impact how data is collected and used, potentially leading to new laws or regulations that protect the interests of original creators.
Cultural and Social Impact: There’s also a cultural dimension where the proliferation of AI-generated content could influence which voices and styles dominate in literature and media, potentially overshadowing diverse and minority voices.
Overall, while AI presents some threats to the traditional ways writers earn and operate, it also offers tools and opportunities for innovation in the craft. The key will be to find a balance that respects and compensates original creators while also embracing the benefits of new technologies.

Phew! At least AI acknowledges the issues. The reality is there is no turning back. We must avoid ‘putting our heads in the sand’ and instead  proactively push for safeguards and boundaries to protect the originators of literary and other creative works.

Wary or excited, we cannot stop this revolution

Hazel and I count ourselves among those creators endeavouring to adapt and harness the potential of this revolution, which is sweeping across our globe more rapidly than any previous significant development.

We welcome the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) announcement that, ahead of our upcoming 2025 federal election, the ASA is joining publishers, librarians, and booksellers in an urgent call for candidates to support Australian books and reading.

Questions to ponder:
* Are you AI wary or a user?
* Data collectors benefit from A.I. skimming of creators’ work, but who is paying?