Cajoling ChatGPT to write like Eudora Welty

Nov 25, 2023 ·

In her essay “Can a Computer Write Like Eudora Welty?”, author Rebecca Mead examines the differences between artificial intelligence (AI) and human writing. She draws on the works of literary giant Eudora Welty to demonstrate how AI can replicate certain aspects of Welty’s writing style, but ultimately fall short when compared to the complexity and intricacy of the renowned novelist’s work.

Mead begins by highlighting that, while AI has become increasingly sophisticated, it still lacks the nuanced understanding of language that comes from being raised as part of a culture that communicates with language. This lack of understanding of the nuances of language, according to Mead, means that AI is unlikely to ever replace human authors, especially those at Welty’s level.

Next, Mead dives into Welty’s writing to explain how complex and intricate her prose is. She highlights Welty’s unique sense of humor and the precision of her word choices, both of which have been difficult for AI models to replicate. Even when AI models are able to accurately mimic Welty’s words, they cannot capture the nuances of her writing.

Mead also argues that AI fails to capture what she calls the “humanness” of Welty’s work. Despite AI’s capabilities, it cannot capture Welty’s ability to connect organically with her readers. It also cannot emulate Welty’s ability to create beautiful and evocative imagery through her words.

Overall, Mead’s essay makes a strong case for the superiority of human authorship over AI. She uses Eudora Welty’s writing as an example of why AI cannot replicate the complexities of human language and the nuances of true authorship, creating a powerful argument for the importance of preserving human authorship. While AI has made great strides in recent years, it is not yet advanced enough to replace human authors and cannot be expected to do so in the near future.