How can AI assist writers working in a second or third language?

It has been about a year since my views on using AI as a journalist were transformed after a 3-day course at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.

Since then, I’ve integrated AI-powered virtual assistants like ChatGPT into various aspects of my personal and professional life, from revising and editing pieces of writing to assisting with my French learning or generating sets of keywords for tags on YouTube videos based on a given title and description.

One aspect of using ChatGPT that I don’t think is discussed enough is how much it can help as a writing assistant, particularly when working in languages that are not your mother tongue. In my experience, this is especially true for English (et un peu de français, aussi). 

To be clear, I remain concerned about the societal impacts of unchecked AI usage. AI is best used as a supportive tool, while the human element, with its personality, unique voice, and imperfections, is (and should remain) irreplaceable.

Yet here I am, writing about how much AI tools have helped me in the past year. Cynicism or survival instinct? Why not both? As a polyglot working primarily in my third language, I’ve found that AI tools like ChatGPT can be game-changers. They not only offer practical solutions to language barriers but also build confidence in writing, especially when dealing with the complexities of a non-native language.

ChatGPT has become my go-to editing assistant, providing instant feedback on grammar, tone, and style. But the value of AI tools for writers extends beyond just grammar corrections—they’re also valuable learning aids. Each suggestion and correction offers insight into the nuances of the language, with ideas that might not come naturally to someone who didn’t grow up speaking it. Over time, this continuous feedback loop helps non-native speakers internalize language rules, expand their vocabulary, and refine their style.

However, AI-generated responses can often be lackluster. It’s important to trust your instincts and preserve your voice. A second set of human eyes should always polish the final product—never accept an AI-generated result without making your own edits.

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Lessons learned after using ChatGPT

– Use AI to assist with tasks such as summarizing stories, drafting headlines, or refining your writing. But remember, AI can take you 80% of the way; the final 20% should come from you.

– AI tools like ChatGPT offer real-time suggestions for grammar, tone, and style, helping to streamline the writing process. However, as a developing technology, it should never be left unsupervised by a more experienced writer who can polish the results.

– Each interaction with AI is a learning opportunity. Pay attention to the corrections and suggestions to refine your understanding of areas for improvement, and also to learn how to write better prompts to achieve desired results.

– AI should complement human creativity, not replace it. Use AI to enhance your work, but ensure the final product retains your unique voice and perspective.

– Don’t be afraid to experiment with AI tools. Try different approaches, and don’t hesitate to regenerate responses if the initial output doesn’t meet your expectations.

– Establish clear guidelines for using AI, knowing that these standards will evolve as the technology improves and your familiarity with it grows.

– Be mindful of the ethical implications of using AI. Ensure that your use of AI does not compromise the integrity of your work or the trust of your audience.

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AI should serve as a complement to human creativity, not a replacement. The human touch is what makes writing unique—our ability to infuse stories with emotion, cultural context, and a sense of authenticity that AI, for all its sophistication, can’t replicate.

And please, please, please, NEVER rely solely on ChatGPT for information. I experimented with this, and the results were riddled with inaccuracies.

AI-powered tools pull from the internet and often mix up facts—suddenly, deceased people are alive again, movies feature actors who were never part of the cast, and the Spice Girls performed in Halifax during their 2022 World Tour, which you just happened to miss.

ChatGPT excels when given a specific piece of information to work with: a draft to polish, a large text to summarize, or data to process. Always review the output to identify inaccuracies, remove bland language or uninspired sections, and add your unique tone and voice.

AI can help non-native speakers build confidence and improve their writing, but it should be used as a tool, not a crutch. The goal is to enhance our abilities, not diminish the human element of writing. And feedback from a human editor, more experienced in the language, will always surpass the useful but limited feedback a machine can provide.