As artificial intelligence transforms content generation, AI-generated text is part of businesses' and writers' toolkit. While you can use AI writing software to generate massive amounts of content quickly and at minimal cost, such software is still flawed. Even the most advanced AI models may produce errors, inaccuracies, or inappropriate responses, especially in cases where the input data is incomplete, ambiguous, or biased.
The future of content editing: combining AI and human expertise
AI-generated text intended for a specific audience and purpose — as almost all business content is — may lack context or fail to convey the intended message. That's where human editing comes in. Human editors have a unique ability to refine AI-generated text in a way that algorithms can’t and also to align content tone and style with the intended audience. Here's why editing remains an essential part of the writing process in the age of AI.
Creativity
AI-generated text is often formulaic and lacks the creative spark and nuance that humans bring to the table. A human editor can add a fresh perspective, inject humor or emotion, and make the text more engaging and memorable. This can be especially important in marketing and advertising, where effective communication and trust-building is essential. Human language editors are still better at creating engaging and memorable content that can resonate with readers, adapting content to make it engaging, original, and memorable.
Contextual understanding
While AI language models like ChatGPT can understand the general meaning and context of a text, they may not be able to capture the nuances and subtleties of language. Human language editors understanding of a text's context is what enables them to communicate clearly it to the intended audience. By adjusting content tone, style, and level of complexity, human editors customize content to the needs and preferences of the target audience.
Subject matter expertise
While AI models can generate content on a wide range of topics, they may not have the specialized knowledge and expertise required for certain industries or fields. Human language editors with subject matter expertise can ensure that the content is accurate and authoritative.
Emotional intelligence
While AI language models can analyze data to understand audience preferences, they may not be able to fully understand the emotional impact that language can have on readers. Human language editors can better understand the emotional resonance of language and ensure that the content is appropriate for the intended audience.
Writing voice
Human editors are skilled at using language to establish or maintain a unique brand voice that resonates with readers and can give the content an authentic, conversational tone that's hard for AI apps to simulate.
Accuracy
Editing helps to ensure that AI-generated content is factually correct and consistent with the intended message. While AI-generated content sounds smart, it isn't always accurate, as AI models need to be continuously trained to keep up with current events and references.
Clarity
Since the aim of most writing is to convey a point clearly, human editors improve content readability and coherence by eliminating ambiguity, redundancy, and inconsistency. You'll notice that upon closer viewing, AI-generated text often includes duplicate content and requires a sharp eye to prune repetitive phrases and streamline reader flow.
Optimizing for human readers
Human editors can also ensure that the text is optimized for both search engines and human readers. While AI technology can help to optimize the text for search engines, it is not able to take into account the nuances of human language and behavior. Human editors are able to create content that is both SEO and conversation optimized, striking the perfect balance between human reader needs and search algorithm requirements, which supports both reader engagement and boosts website traffic.
Quality control
An AI language model can assist with providing guidelines and best practices for content quality assurance, but ultimately, the responsibility for ensuring content quality lies with the content publishers and editors.
Ethics
Perhaps most importantly, human editors can ensure that AI-generated text is ethical. As algorithms become more sophisticated, there is a risk that they could perpetuate biases or false information. A human editor can review the content and make sure that it is accurate, fair, and respectful. When done properly, human editing can greatly enhance the value of AI-generated text.
