Text generation and editing are the most common applications of generative AI in the Dutch cultural sector, according to research by Boekman, initiated by the Creative Coalition. But using AI doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the best results. In this article, we provide tips on how generative AI can assist with generating, editing, or analyzing text and which tools you can use for this. We also discuss how to do this in a valuable and responsible way.
Text-related Possibilities
Generative AI can assist with various tasks, such as:
- Writing text (creation): Creating new texts, from creative and educational to business and policy-oriented. Think of grant applications, annual reports, emails, articles, and more.
- Rewriting & editing text: Improving existing texts, adapting them to tone, audience, or SEO, and correcting style and language.
- Analyzing text: Summarizing, (re)structuring, and analyzing texts for content, argumentation, tone, and themes.
- Understanding & explaining: Making complex texts understandable (e.g., B1 language level) and explaining them.
- Translating & localizing: Translating texts and adapting them to other languages, cultures, and contexts.
- Supportive applications: Assisting writers with feedback, consistency, and inspiration during the writing process.
What AI Writing Tools Are Available?
There are various tools that help with writing and adjusting texts. Here’s an overview:
- ChatGPT: Broadly applicable, easy to use, many applications
- Claude: Good for long texts, text analysis, and complex questions
- Copilot: Integrated into Microsoft programs, focused on business use.
- Gemini: Broadly applicable, many applications. Works within Gmail and Google Docs.
- GreenPT: More sustainable alternative. Good at text analysis and processing, less so at text generation.
- Mistral: Stores data in Europe. Currently slightly lower quality.
Additionally, there are tools for specific writing tasks, such as:
- DeepL: Best for translations, sounds natural.
- Jasper AI: Designed for marketing, advertising, and websites.
- Copy.AI: Quickly writes texts for social media and advertisements.
- Grammarly: Checks spelling, grammar, and writing style.
Tips for Writing with AI
Want to use AI for texts? These tips will help you get started:
Stay in Control
AI helps you, gives you a starting point, but doesn’t take over your writing completely. Your knowledge and expertise remain indispensable. Check what AI writes: is it correct? Does it suit your audience and style? Add the human and personal touch.
Stick to One Tool
Experiment with different AI tools to experience the differences. Then choose one and stick with it. AI developments are moving so fast that it’s not useful to switch tools with every new launch.
Start with Small Tasks
Try different applications on a small scale: generating a text, shortening a text, analyzing the tone of an email, and rewriting self-written text. This way, you learn what the tool can do and what’s useful for you.
Provide Clear and Complete Prompts
The better your question, the better the result. In the article on the art of prompting and in the AI workshop for beginners, you’ll learn the art of prompting. Describe the context and indicate your goal, who you’re writing for, and what tone fits. For example: "Create a 150-word draft invitation for the opening of our dance expo. Background: [add information about the dance expo]. Tone: professional and enthusiastic. Audience: art journalists."
Work Step by Step
Don’t ask for the final result right away; work towards it in steps. By working in steps, AI ‘understands’ the context better, and you can make adjustments. Also, let AI ask you questions, so it can deliver an even more suitable result.
Learn from Each Other
Share your experiences with colleagues and learn from others in the sector. What tools do they use? What works well, and what doesn’t? By sharing knowledge, we can learn together how to use AI responsibly and effectively. This can be done easily through the DEN Community platform. For example, Jiska from TivoliVredenburg recently shared her ten rules for working with AI (opens in new tab).
Keep Writing Yourself
You’ll get the most out of AI in writing if you’re a good writer yourself. You can better assess whether a text is well-structured and fits the audience. Developing your writing skills is just as important as developing your AI skills!
Responsible and Wise Use
There are a few things to keep in mind when using generative AI as a writing aid:
- Hallucinations: AI can generate incorrect information, known as hallucinations. Always verify the accuracy of the information.
- Output Quality: Prompting is a skill you can train. Don’t stop if the result isn’t satisfactory; keep practicing and learning.
- Bias: AI tools can present a distorted view of society. Check the output for potential biases and use inclusive prompts.
- Data Collection: Do not share personal data or sensitive company data with AI tools. These are stored and used to train the AI model. Work GDPR-compliant.
Be aware that, in addition to these points, there are other ethical dilemmas and risks associated with AI. Read more about this in this article on ethical dilemmas, risks, and societal impact of AI.
Establish Agreements on AI Usage
Make agreements with your organization on how you use AI in an AI policy. This includes specifying for which tasks or applications AI will be used and for which it won’t, how to check the output for inaccuracies, and making agreements about transparent usage. The AI policy roadmap can help you with this.
In Conclusion
AI changes how we write, not why we write. In art and culture, texts are about creating meaning, sharing stories, and connecting with others. When you use AI wisely and responsibly in your texts, you can increase the impact on your audience.
With the right knowledge, the right tools, and agreements within your organization, you can apply AI responsibly and wisely in your work. Not as a replacement for yourself but as a tool for writing or analyzing text.
Summary: 7 Tips for Writing with AI
For everyone already writing with AI or looking to start. This is the summary of our tips for writing with AI:
- Stay in control
- Stick to one tool
- Start with small tasks
- Provide clear and complete prompts
- Work step by step
- Learn from each other
- Keep writing yourself
What we mean by this is explained at the end of the article.
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