Can Artificial Intelligence Write a Better Novel Than I Can?

 Can AI write a better novel than a human?  There's only one way to find out: ask it!  So I did, and this is what my Chat GTP app replied:


In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made tremendous strides in the fields of robotics, healthcare, finance, and more. But could AI ever outdo humans when it comes to creative endeavors like writing a novel? It’s a question that has been debated for years, and one that has no clear answer.


On the one hand, AI algorithms can be incredibly powerful and efficient when it comes to processing data and creating models. AI can easily crunch through large amounts of data to recognize patterns, generate predictions, and make decisions. This means that AI could potentially be used to generate stories, characters, and plotlines that are more complex and interesting than those created by humans.

On the other hand, AI still lacks the creative spark that humans possess. AI algorithms can generate stories and dialogue, but they cannot create the emotional depth and nuance that comes from a human writer. AI is also limited by the data it has access to, meaning that it cannot create stories that are truly unique and original.

At the end of the day, it’s impossible to say whether AI can write a better novel than a human. AI can certainly generate interesting stories and dialogue, but it cannot replicate the creative spark that comes from a human writer. Ultimately, it’s up to readers to decide which stories are the most compelling and enjoyable. 

~*~

I agree with my AI assistant on this one.  The past few weeks of experimenting with AI have revealed some of its  amazing capabilities in terms of generating plot ideas, cover copy, outlines, and fictional problem-solving.  However, I've always believed readers are less interested in clever storylines and complex plots than they are in the characters who illustrate those stories.  No one reads the Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries for the mystery; they read them for Cisco the golden retriever!  Feedback on the storyline that AI generated  for the next Flash/Dogleg Island Mystery proves that none of the readers who responded were particularly interested in what the next book was about; they just wanted to read more about Flash. 

I read dozens of mysteries and thrillers each year by bestselling authors, and while I rarely remember the details of the plot-- no matter how well crafted-- I always remember how well the character interacted with the storyline, what personal lessons were learned, how he or she overcame obstacles and grew or changed as a person. I also remember when these things are not executed very well, and I call that a bad book no matter how unique the plot was.

 So, as much as I love technology, and as much fun as it has been exploring the possibilities of AI in the realm of fiction, I think I can safely say my job is secure.  The heart of a story, after all, is, well, the heart, and as long as writers remember that, computers will never be able to compete.

Well, not for a while, anyway.    

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