You Can't Blame It on AI: The Pros and Cons of AI Proofreading

AI is everywhere these days, from smart homes to self-driving cars, and now it's even in our writing tools. If you're a writer or editor (everyone is a writer in some capacity btw), you've probably heard about AI proofreading tools and wondered if they're worth the hype. Well, let's break it down in a fun, casual way and see what’s great and what’s not-so-great about using AI for proofreading. ✍️

The Awesome Stuff

1. Speed and Efficiency

Imagine having a super-fast buddy who can read and correct your work in seconds. That's AI proofreading for you! It zips through your text, spots errors, and suggests fixes faster than you can say "spellcheck." Perfect for those tight deadlines or long documents.

2. Consistency

Ever get tired and start missing mistakes? AI doesn't. It's like having a never-tiring robot editor that applies the same rules every time, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

3. Cost-Effective 💸

Professional editors are amazing, but they can be pricey. AI tools, on the other hand, are way cheaper and can save you a ton of money while still getting the job done.

4. Always On

Need to edit something at 3 AM? No problem. AI proofreading tools are up and running 24/7, ready to help whenever you need them. No more waiting for office hours!

The Not-So-Awesome Stuff

1. Lack of Contextual Understanding

AI can be a bit like a clueless friend who doesn’t get your jokes. It might miss the tone or context of your writing, which means it can suggest some pretty awkward corrections.

2. Limited Creativity

Editing is more than just fixing errors; it's about making your writing shine. Human editors can suggest creative tweaks that AI just isn’t programmed to do. It's like comparing a paint-by-numbers kit to a masterpiece.

3. Over-Reliance on Rules

AI loves rules. But sometimes, it follows them too strictly and flags stuff that's actually okay. It's like having a grammar-obsessed friend who won’t let you use slang or contractions.

4. Privacy Concerns

Uploading your text to AI tools can be risky if you’re dealing with sensitive info. Make sure you’re using a trusted service to keep your data safe from prying eyes. AHEM... VisibleThread plug 😉

Objective vs. Subjective Proofreading

Here's a fun way to think about proofreading: it’s got two sides—objective and subjective.

Objective proofreading is all about the hard facts: spelling, grammar, and grade level. It’s like making sure everything’s spelled correctly and using the right punctuation. AI is pretty good here but not perfect. Be careful!

Subjective proofreading is where things get interesting. This covers tone, style, and how your message comes across. Asking AI, "Does this sound professional?" or "How will this message be interpreted?" can get you some cool suggestions, but remember, AI's not great at getting all the nuances right.

AI’s Contextual Limitations

AI might not understand your specific jargon or brand terms. For example, if your company name is VisibleThread (with no space), AI might not catch that and could try to "fix" it. Plus, it might mess up things that are actually correct in your world. So, always double-check those AI edits!

Common Prompts for AI Proofreading (Good & Bad)

To play around and learn about proofreading with AI, try using these prompts to see what works and what doesn't in your context:

1. Grammar and Punctuation Check:

• "Check for grammatical errors and correct punctuation."
• "Find and fix any punctuation mistakes."

Be mindful that AI won't have the same context you have.

2. Spelling Check: ✅

• "Highlight and correct any spelling errors."
• "Ensure all words are spelled correctly."

Be careful with brand words, US vs. UK English, and other specifics to your world.

3. Clarity and Readability:

• "Suggest ways to make this text clearer and easier to read."
• "Rewrite sentences for better clarity and flow."

Generally, these are great prompts. However, beware that AI could remove some important context. Also, note that AI isn't appropriate for a prompt such as "Rewrite this copy to achieve a grade level of 8 or less." Calculations like this aren't Generative AI's forte. Your result would be prone to hallucinations.

4. Consistency:

• "Make sure terms and styles are consistent throughout."
• "Check for consistency in tense and subject-verb agreement."

Generally, these are good prompts. However, in a larger document, they could be dangerous. It's likely better to take everything paragraph by paragraph.

5. Contextual Accuracy:

• "Review the text for proper tone and context."
• "Ensure cultural references are used correctly."

Careful here! Expecting AI to approach "proper tone" & "cultural references" is a really weak point of Generative AI. We cannot predict how the model will interpret "correct & proper."

6. Stylistic Suggestions:

• "Give stylistic suggestions to improve writing quality."
• "Suggest creative rephrasings where applicable."

This is an editor's dream. With tired eyes, it can be difficult to think outside the box or create several alternatives. AI is fantastic at this.

7. Format and Structure:

• "Check for proper formatting and structure."
• "Ensure headings, lists, and paragraphs are formatted correctly."

It depends! It depends on what platform you are using and what the final product looks like. If you have something completely unstructured like a transcript, these types of prompts are fantastic to transform text into something usable.

Wrapping It Up

AI proofreading tools are super handy and can save you time and money. But they’re not perfect—especially when it comes to understanding context or being creative. Use AI as a helpful assistant, but remember, there’s still no substitute for a good human editor. Combining both can give you the best of both worlds!

If you'd like to see this type of stuff in action, I'm doing a LinkedIn Live next week. You’re welcome to join! #AIProofreading #WritingTips #TechInWriting #LinkedInLive

I hope you’re enjoying this content! I'd love to know how you are using AI for proofreading and editing. Comment below!