The Future of Writing: Creating the Playbook for Human-AI Collaboration

The webinar begins with an introduction by Jenny Maxwell, Head of Education at Grammarly, who outlines the format and purpose of the webinar focused on the future of AI in writing. She emphasizes the importance of the Q&A widget for attendees to submit questions and mentions the webinar's recording. Jenny introduces the panelists, Stephen Moore and Mark Watkins from the University of Mississippi, both experts in writing and AI. The context is set by discussing the disruption generative AI has caused in writing and teaching, particularly with tools like Chat GPT, and the need to evaluate the impact on writing instruction and skills in the era of AI.

The panelists discuss the enduring importance of writing as a learning tool despite the advent of generative AI. Mark Watkins emphasizes that writing remains a powerful process and daily practice, not to be replaced by new technologies. Stephen Moore agrees, citing the co-president of Open AI's tweet about the value of writing as a reflective process. They explore the idea that while AI can augment writing, it does not replace the need for clear, concise, and specific writing skills, which are crucial for interacting with AI models effectively.

The conversation shifts to the use of writing as an assessment tool in the context of AI, with Stephen Moore acknowledging the challenges posed by new technologies to traditional assessment methods. He suggests that certain assessments, particularly those focused on recall or memorization, may become outdated. Mark Watkins expands on this, discussing the move towards authentic assessments that reflect real-world application of skills, as opposed to one-off exams. Both panelists agree that writing for learning, such as personal reflection and contextualization of knowledge, will continue to be valuable.

The panelists delve into the role of reflection in writing and how AI cannot replicate the personal insights and processing that human writers bring. They discuss the importance of maintaining writing as a core process and the potential for AI to assist in areas like reading comprehension and summarization, while cautioning against the de-skilling of close reading. The conversation also touches on the use of various tools for enhancing learning experiences beyond traditional writing.

The discussion addresses pedagogical anxiety, particularly concerning academic integrity in the age of AI. Mark Watkins shares insights on the limitations and unreliability of AI detection tools, noting high rates of false positives and potential bias against non-native speakers. Stephen Moore emphasizes the importance of trust and open conversations with students about the responsible use of AI in academic work, rather than relying solely on AI detection systems.

Stephen Moore and Mark Watkins discuss the importance of developing AI literacy among faculty to maintain credibility and control in guiding students through the changes brought by generative AI. They advocate for informed trust and optimism, countering misleading messages with personal engagement. The conversation highlights the need for faculty to stay current with AI developments to establish reasonable guardrails for student learning.

The panelists explore ways to productively incorporate AI into writing assignments, emphasizing the need for faculty to experiment and develop AI literacy. They share examples of creative assignments that leverage AI, such as using AI-generated drafts for revision practice. The conversation underscores the importance of empowering students to experiment with AI while developing new skills and ethical considerations.

Mark and Stephen discuss the potential of AI to enhance creativity in writing and other forms of expression. They consider the use of AI as a tool for research and brainstorming in creative writing, while also acknowledging the hesitancy of students to surrender their authorial voice to AI. The conversation contemplates the future of creativity with AI assistance and the potential for new forms of artistic expression.

The panelists consider the future of communication in the workplace, noting the increasing importance of effective and efficient communication skills in the presence of generative AI tools. They discuss the role of AI in enhancing communication and the need for students to be prepared for this evolving landscape, emphasizing the value of clear and concise writing in professional settings.

The conversation concludes with a focus on how Grammarly for Education aims to foster human-AI collaboration in academic writing. Jenny Maxwell highlights the balance of AI recommendations with human oversight to ensure unbiased guidance for students. The discussion touches on the flexibility of Grammarly's tools, allowing for toggling AI features based on institutional goals and pedagogical needs.