AI writing tools (chatbots, grammar checkers, etc.) use natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to generate or improve written text. These tools are trained to identify patterns in vast amounts of data. The tools then use these patterns to analyze human inputs (or prompts) and generate natural-sounding outputs (similar to how predictive text works).
Different AI tools may be programmed in different ways. For example, ChatGPT, the popular chatbot developed by OpenAI and released in November 2022, uses generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) and was trained using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF), meaning that the tool was given feedback from humans to help guide it towards the most helpful responses.
AI writing tools have a number of helpful applications. Some of these applications are discussed below.
Generative AI tools can be helpful resources for conversational learning. By inputting questions, users can engage in interactive learning at any time.
You can also prompt these tools to provide feedback on your work to improve the clarity or consistency of your writing. However, it’s important not to upload sensitive information, as user inputs are generally saved by the tool for the purposes of training future models.
Below is an example of how ChatGPT can be used for interactive learning.
Example: Using ChatGPT for interactive learning
AI writing tools can be used to generate potential research questions or research paper outlines. You can then refine the tool’s responses by further prompting it or directly editing the output yourself to ensure the result makes sense and fits your requirements.
Below is an example of how ChatGPT can be used to generate potential reseach questions and research method ideas.
Example: Using ChatGPT to generate research questions and methods
AI tools like ChatGPT and Scribbr’s free paraphrasing tool can help you paraphrase text to express your ideas more clearly, avoid repetition, and maintain a consistent tone throughout your writing.
They can also help you incorporate scholarly sources in your writing in a more concise and fluent way, without the need for direct quotations. However, it’s important to correctly cite all sources to avoid accidental plagiarism.
AI writing tools can help condense a text to its most important and relevant ideas. This can help you understand complex information more easily. You can also use summarizer tools on your own work to summarize your central argument, clarify your research question, and form conclusions.
You can do this using generative AI tools or more specialized tools like Scribbr’s free text-summarizer.
AI writing tools can be used to identify spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes and suggest corrections. These tools can help to improve the clarity of your writing and avoid common mistakes.
While AI tools like ChatGPT offer useful suggestions, they can also potentially miss some mistakes or even introduce new grammatical errors into your writing.
We advise using Scribbr’s proofreading and editing service or a tool like Scribbr’s free grammar checker, which is designed specifically for this purpose.
AI translation tools like Google Translate can be used to translate text from a source language into various target languages. While the quality of these tools tend to vary depending on the languages used, they’re constantly developing and are increasingly accurate.
Implications of AI writing tools
While there are many benefits to using AI writing tools, some commentators have emphasized the limitations of AI tools and the potential disadvantages of using them. These drawbacks are discussed below.
Impact on learning
One of the potential pitfalls of using AI writing tools is the effect they might have on a student’s learning and skill set. Using AI tools to generate a paper, thesis, or dissertation, for example, may impact a student’s research, critical thinking, and writing skills.
However, other commentators argue that AI tools can be used to promote critical thinking (e.g., by having a student evaluate a tool’s output and refine it).
Consistency and accuracy
Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) are not always trustworthy and sometimes produce results that are inaccurate or factually incorrect. Although these tools are programmed to answer questions, they can’t judge the accuracy of the information they provide and may generate incorrect answers or contradict themselves.
It’s important to verify AI-generated information against a credible source.
While generative AI tools can produce written text, they don’t actually understand what they’re saying and sometimes produce grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
You can combine the use of generative AI tools with Scribbr’s grammar checker, which is designed to catch these mistakes.
Ethics and plagiarism
As AI writing tools are trained on large sets of data, they may produce content that is similar to existing content (which they usually cannot cite correctly), which can be considered plagiarism. Furthermore, passing off AI-generated text as your own work is usually considered a form of plagiarism and is likely to be prohibited by your university.
We strongly advise against students using AI tools as a substitute for coursework. Rather, we recommend students use these tools responsibly in the ways outlined above to complement their academic writing and research skills.
