There is a dangerous line between making AI do the job for you and using it as a writing tool to improve your writing.
Recently, it was revealed that Sports Illustrated, one of the most notable platforms for sports journalism, had been publishing AI-generated work, including photos and articles. Even worse, the once well-respected company tried to cover up these allegations by claiming they had fired a company that made fake authors who wrote AI-generated stories.
This situation furthers the debate on the ethics of AI in writing and sports. What could happen shortly if this isn’t under control? What could be the consequences of too much AI? Is the magic of sports journalism fading away thanks to this trend?
Before we can get into those topics, we need to talk about the history of AI-generated works. Artificial intelligence has been around as early as the 1930s when computers and the concept of technology were still being introduced. Then, the technology grew tremendously until we reached November 30th, 2022. This was the day that we were introduced to ChatGPT, the most iconic example of AI essay generators. It can write scripts, write an article about your favorite basketball team, help you with your math homework, and do it all and more in as little as 30 seconds.
But as the technology grew, a discussion started about the ethics of AI, particularly in schools and the writing industry. Would it take jobs? Would writing be the same ever again? Or did we gain a revolutionary tool that can be used for self-reflection and self-improvement?
As someone with five years of experience in sports journalism and eight years of writing experience overall, I knew I had to test ChatGPT out to see if the magic of reading a human-generated article was there. So, I put in a simple little draft for the generator, “Write an article on the Kentucky Derby.”
The Kentucky Derby, often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” is a prestigious horse race that has captivated audiences and defined the spirit of American horse racing for nearly a century. Held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the event is much more than a race – it’s a celebration of history, tradition, and the undeniable bond between horse and rider.
As you can tell, while the generator did an excellent job at summarizing the Derby, the magic of reading a human-generated article isn’t there. There’s no personality, no opinions on the topic, and, most notably, it summarizes the Derby and how it works. I believe that personality is essential when it comes to sports journalism.
So, I warn all sports journalists and companies who think using AI to lessen the work of writing an article is OK: Don’t use these generators! It’s not worth it. Not only could you get fired and blacklisted from sports and journalism permanently, you could potentially take away the magic of reading an article with personality.
That’s not to say that AI is entirely wrong. It could be a great tool to correct errors in your work, which is exactly how it is used on The Sports Column, or to develop search terms for a unique topic.
But there is a dangerous line between making AI do the job for you and using it as a writing tool to improve your writing.
