Much ado about artificial intelligence

Paul Gigot, the editorial page editor at The Wall Street Journal, responded to criticism about an op-ed column that written with artificial intelligence.

Gigot writes, “The rule for those of us at WSJ Opinion is that everything my colleagues and I write must be original work. No letting AI draft a column or editorial. Our readers need to know we’re not subcontracting our ideas or prose to the amalgamation of a machine. Younger writers in particular need to learn how to write for themselves or they should leave the business. Besides, half the fun of reading columnist Holman Jenkins is maneuvering through his idiosyncratic style.

“The question is more complicated for outside contributors like Mr. Druckenmiller. They aren’t professional writers, yet they can provide value for readers owing to their expertise and standing in public life.

“Many contributors, especially prominent politicians or CEOs, employ speechwriters or hire a Beltway writing shop. How different is that from using AI to streamline an essay?

“What matters is the ultimate argument the author makes and stands behind. In the case of Mr. Druckenmiller, his views on the bond market and U.S. fiscal incontinence are worth listening to. The press corps wants me to disavow Mr. Druckenmiller, though his views on financial markets have been formed by decades of experience.

“He has written for us in the past, and I suspect that he had help from his human staff when he did. This time he used AI. But in each case the ideas were his and they served to inform readers and, I hope, make them think.”

Read more here.