Fri Sep 20 07:00:00 UTC 2024: ## AI Threatens to Undermine the True Value of Writing, Argues Educator

**Inside Higher Ed** – While the advent of AI writing tools has brought ease and speed to the writing process, some educators warn that it threatens to undermine the true value of writing – the struggle and joy of engaging in difficult, creative thinking.

In a recent article for Inside Higher Ed, author and educator [Author Name] argues that the “hate” part of writing is crucial to experiencing the “love” of it. He draws upon Thomas Mann’s quote, “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than other people,” to highlight how the struggle itself is a sign of commitment and engagement.

[Author Name] critiques the current education system’s focus on “proficiency” and “easy” writing, suggesting it has created a generation of students who see writing as a tedious task. He argues that AI tools, designed to simplify writing, are exacerbating this problem by eliminating the necessary struggle that leads to deep learning and true creativity.

The author advocates for a shift in teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of productive struggle in the writing process. He believes students should be challenged to engage with complex ideas, wrestle with their thoughts, and develop their own unique voices through writing, rather than relying on AI to generate text.

“The difficulty of writing is the point,” he emphasizes, “If students don’t find the writing hard, something has gone wrong.” He believes AI tools can potentially be used to facilitate a deeper engagement with writing, but only if they are employed strategically to support and challenge students, rather than replace their own effort.

Ultimately, [Author Name] asserts that the true value of writing lies not in the ease of production, but in the intellectual and emotional growth it fosters through challenging and rewarding work. The article serves as a call to educators to re-evaluate their approach to writing and prioritize the importance of productive struggle in the learning process.

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