Naomi S. Baron - Who Wrote This? How AI and the Lure of Efficiency Threaten Human Writing

In this podcast, the conversation centers on how AI writing tools are affecting our writing and thinking skills. Professor Naomi Baron expresses her worries about the potential decline of vital writing abilities and the erosion of human creativity due to excessive reliance on AI. She underscores the importance of the "struggle" inherent in the writing process, which is essential for fostering critical thinking and personal expression. While she acknowledges that AI can be a helpful resource, she warns that depending on it too much could lead to a decline in our mental capabilities and a uniformity in writing styles. The discussion also explores the legal and ethical challenges surrounding AI's use of copyrighted content and the possible impact on human writers.