Harmonizing AI with Individuality: iA Writer's New Chapter in Writing

One company’s thoughtful approach to writing with AI

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-assisted writing, iA Writer has introduced an innovative feature that perfectly marries the benefits of AI with the cherished individuality of the writer. As someone deeply engaged in the world of AI storytelling, I've often pondered the impact of AI on my unique voice. My workaround? Categorizing my works: "articles" for hand-crafted thought pieces, and "blog posts" (like this one) for AI-assisted updates on Subtxt and AI storytelling.

The ability to quickly drum up a blog post with the assistance of AI is too good to pass up--especially for a solo-preneur like myself. There is so much to say about what I’m building over here with Subtxt and Subtxt Muse that it’s nice to be able to have a hand in getting the word out.

But I've always felt a bit...odd, about the whole experience.

Enter iA Writer's latest offering--iA Writer 7, a tool that doesn't just blend AI with human creativity but honors the writer's voice. As a long time fan of iA and iA Writer (pretty much every article, thought-piece, blog post, marketing material, email newsletter and ad copy was written by me in iA Writer), it’s wonderful to see the art of the writer and storyteller put center-stage. Even writing this paragraph, and watching bit by bit as the AI-generated text disappears from the screen and is replaced by my own voice--is so comforting and appreciated--I guess I didn’t realize how much I missed the writing process.

The Innovation of iA Writer

iA Writer's new functionality is elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful. It allows writers to differentiate between their own words and those suggested by AI tools like ChatGPT. How does it work? The AI-generated text is greyed out, making it visually distinct from the writer's original content. This visual cue empowers writers to seamlessly integrate AI suggestions while maintaining their unique style and voice.

Why It Matters

This feature is more than just a technical innovation; it's a thoughtful response to a growing concern among writers--the fear of losing one's voice to AI. For Subtxt and Subtxt Muse (my AI-enabled applications) it’s not as big of a problem as I’ve always advocated doing the actual writing in a different program (like iA Writer!). Subtxt is where you go to do the thinking about your work, iA Writer is where you do the writing. As AI becomes more integrated into our writing processes, maintaining the distinction between human and artificial contributions is going to be crucial, not just for base “plagiarism” reasons, but for the well-being of the artist. I can already tell you that the experience of writing like this is night and day--I feel as if I’ve met an old friend long forgotten.

As a writer who has embraced AI with enthusiasm, I find iA Writer's approach both refreshing and necessary. It offers a perfect balance, allowing me to continue to reap all the benefits of a first-pass AI assistant, without losing my personal touch. iA Writer’s approach aligns beautifully with the spirit of Subtxt, where storytelling remains a deeply human art, even in the face of technological advancements.

The Future of Writing with AI

iA Writer's innovation is a beacon for the future of AI-assisted writing. It recognizes the immense potential of AI in enhancing our writing capabilities while firmly keeping the storyteller at the helm. This approach doesn't just respect the writer's voice; it elevates it, ensuring that AI is a companion, not a replacement.

In a world rapidly embracing AI, iA Writer's thoughtful approach is a much-needed reminder of the value of human touch in storytelling. It's a testament to the idea that technology should enhance, not overshadow, our creative expressions. As we step into this exciting future, it's heartening to see tools like iA Writer leading the way in harmonizing AI's power with the irreplaceable beauty of individual human creativity.