Not surprisingly, several big publications updated their freelance contracts last week in the wake of the ChatGPT buzz. The new rules say writers for these organizations cannot use artificial intelligence writers to create articles either in part or in full. The companies also put the writers on notice that they are actively watching for AI-generated content, both by using AI tools and by training editors to spot the telltale signs, which can result in no longer writing for the publication. 

At first, I was happy. Relief went through my body. My gut was proving that AI writers won’t put experienced freelance writers offering high level content out of a job. I felt valued when I saw that they were protecting the craft of writing. And I hoped that other publications would take the same approach. 

Then my questions started. The announcements left many key points unanswered for me. 

• Can writers for these publications use AI writers as a tool to increase their productivity? 
• Is using an AI writer for ideation against the new contract? 
• What about keyword research? 
• How about using AI tools to get hashtags for social media posts, which ChatGPT excels at?

Maybe they felt their strong wording actually does mean that freelance writers cannot use AI tools for any part of the writing process. And if that’s the case, then I feel that’s a huge overreach of companies and clients. 

Freelancer Writers Should Not Use AI Writers for Content Without Disclosing 

I want to be very clear. I am a million (no, a gazillion) percent in favor of organizations saying that writers cannot turn in AI-written content as their own. Companies should absolutely prohibit this practice. I honestly think turning in an article written by an AI writer without disclosing (or it being the actual assignment to use an AI writer) it is the same as plagiarism. And, at the very least, unethical and dishonest.

As freelance writers, we are hired to create original content that is engaging and informative to our particular readers. That’s our job and also the value we bring to the table. Our clients trust that our content is accurate and based on our own research. They want content written in the specific tone of voice of their publication and brand. They are hiring us for our years of storytelling, our reporting skills and our experience in their industry. And these are not skills that can be taken over by a machine. 

But Clients Also Shouldn’t Dictate Tools Freelancers Use for Non-Writing Tasks 

However, there is a big difference between telling freelancers that we can’t use AI to write the actual article and telling us what tools we can use as part of our research and ideation. As a freelancer, I have the freedom to use the processes and tools of my choosing to create my work for the client. Just as clients can’t dictate what hours I work or what type of computer I use, they should not be able to dictate the specific tools that I use to create original writing. 

Freelance writers use tools every day in their work, many of them even AI-based. I’ve used Grammarly for years to spot my typos in my emails. Headline generators have helped me many times when I’ve gotten stuck. After interviews, I use either human transcription or AI transcription to save time. And I often turn to AI-based search engine optimization (SEO) tools for help with keywords. Not to mention that Google research is the starting point for pretty much every project on my calendar. 

Honestly, I think that when used ethically — which is, of course, the key point — AI writers are not any different from the tools most of us already use. Yes, a writer can now send in a story written by an AI writer. But writers have been able to copy text in part or in full from other articles online for many decades, just the same as they could do now with AI writers. However, professional writers don’t do that. And if someone does, then they get fired. This issue isn’t anything new for writers — it’s just adding in another layer. 

Companies Need to Trust Freelancers but Verify 

Companies need amazing content even more than before to stand out from other companies that will be using AI writers to create content, which will be boring and generic. Clients need to give experienced freelancers the ability to create that unique content in the best way possible. Yes, on the surface, it seems easier and safer to make a blanket ban of the tools. But it’s not. 

I feel strongly that companies should allow freelance writers to use AI writers as tools for non-writing tasks, such as ideas, research, SEO and hashtags. Clients need to trust us to do our jobs. Just like they have trusted us not to plagiarize from the internet for all these years.  

But at the same time, I fully support companies verifying that the writers aren’t turning in AI content as their own. Sure, run the content through an AI detector. Absolutely train your editors to spot AI content. These measures aren’t any different from clients using plagiarism detectors, which is common these days. And these steps actually protect professional writers and the craft of writing from writers who are unethically using AI writers. 

Yes, it’s confusing right now. It’s all new. And we really don’t know where all this is going. Even if we don’t admit it or proclaim, just as I did last week, that AI writers won’t replace human writers, both freelancers and companies are a bit scared right now. 

But the way for companies and publications to stand out is with content that people want to read. And the way to do that is by letting everyone and everything do what they do best — letting writers use AI tools for non-writing tasks (if they want) and using human writers to create a level of content that simply isn’t possible with AI writers. 

Both companies and freelancers need to have open and ongoing conversations about the role of GPT in creating content. Freelancers can explain how ChatGPT helps with the content creation process. And companies can explain their concerns – freelancers using the tools unethically. 

But clients should give freelance writers the freedom to do our jobs of creating unique and original content. We are good at our jobs and need the space to use the process that work best for our creativity. That’s the respect that we deserve as professionals. And the end results of engaging content is what our readers deserve. 

Have any of your freelance writing clients taken a stance on generative AI tools?