Essay
Writing was once a magical act — imbued with individuality, humour and a touch of drama. Now AI writes your LinkedIn posts and your fridge dictates your shopping list. But precisely in that era of generated text, writing with your own voice has never been more valuable than now.
Writing in the AI era has become a paradox. Imagine: a universe in which writing was once regarded as a magical act. Where a writing instrument captured not only ink, but also the essence on paper. Where stories, correspondence and even shopping lists were imbued with individuality, humour and occasionally a touch of drama.
Nowadays, in an age where even your fridge prescribes your purchases and AI writes your messages on LinkedIn, that enchanting lustre seems to be slowly fading. Writing, once a wellspring of joy and creativity, has deteriorated into a rare craft, which evokes a feeling of melancholy.
The figures speak volumes, incidentally. Nowadays, the impressive fact that more than 80% of the world's population is able to read and write is a remarkable advance compared with the meagre 12% in 1820. But where do you now find real writing artistry? That art is scarcer than a handwritten love letter on Valentine's Day.
Only a handful of people possess the ability to shape words into something that touches the soul, inspires or prompts reflection. And the trend is declining: children start their adventure in the world of writing with great enthusiasm, but that fire is soon extinguished. By the time they reach the age of sixteen, only a quarter still find pleasure in writing, and writing daily in their free time is achievable for fewer than one in five young people.
Sometimes life throws you from your horse both literally and figuratively. That not so cold November day I suddenly found myself on the ground of the Noorderplantsoen (well, not me, because I was unconscious), thanks to an unfortunate collision with the asphalt. My heart, which apparently had its own plans, thought it time for an interruption, which resulted in a violent blow, a damaged head and several fractures.
Fortunately my memory failed me during the incident, but the consequences were anything but unclear: weeks of rehabilitation in hospital and Beatrixoord, and learning to trust myself again with a body that no longer co-operated as a matter of course.
What has remained clearest to me? It wasn't just about physical recovery, but above all about the task of mastering writing again. My left side refused to do what I asked of it and I happen to be left-handed.
The very first confrontation with pen and paper was a real challenge: signatures that resembled contemporary art more than my familiar scrawl, with uncertain lines and motor skills that constantly tested me.
Yet in that struggle I discovered something I long took for granted: the joy and energy of writing, even when every letter felt like a triumph.
This phase made me realise afresh how precious it is to capture your thoughts and emotional world on paper. For me, writing transformed into a source of healing, a method to embrace the new reality and bring head and heart back into harmony. Every shaky letter represented a step forward.
A reminder that writing, whether simple or challenging, can always serve as a source of joy and connection. During that time I also kept a daily journal.
AI has left behind its status as a cute gadget for geeks and has now grown into an influential force within the world of writing. On LinkedIn, more than half of content is now produced by artificial intelligence, whilst on Facebook the percentage of texts created by AI is also approaching 50%. What are the prospects? We're moving towards a digital reality in which as many as nine out of ten messages originate from the creation of an algorithm.
What implications does this have for the future of the writing profession? Will the human voice play a supporting role for ever in the annals of literature? Is there perhaps a glimmer of hope on the horizon for those who still believe in the magic of the handwritten word, the intimate sound and the special flair?
In this blog I'll take you on a journey along the untainted outposts of contemporary writing. We'll dive deep into the figures, expose the reasons for the loss of writing pleasure and explore the influence of AI on creativity, authenticity and connection. Prepare yourself for thoughtful observations, a pinch of irony and a warm invitation not to put down the pen for ever. If writing is a form of art, then a new renaissance begins here.
Let's start with a contradiction that feels almost poetic in its bitterness: never have so many people been able to read and write, and yet authentic writing talent seems so unprecedentedly rare. In 1820 only 12% of the world's population was able to read and write; nowadays that percentage stands above 80%!
The pool of potential writers has thereby expanded considerably. However, as every fisherman realises: having an extensive pond does not necessarily guarantee catching an impressive carp.
There exists a world of difference between the ability to write and possessing writing talent. Most people have mastered the basic skills: writing an email, sending a WhatsApp message and composing a shopping list.
But can you make words swirl, touch and convince with them? That is reserved for an exclusive company. Estimates indicate that fewer than 1% of the world's population possesses truly exceptional writing skills.
It's the timeless Pareto rule: a select group of authors produces the majority of high-quality texts.
The statistics relating to writing pleasure are downright shocking. At the beginning of their school career, as many as 72% of children take pleasure in writing, but by the age of 16 that number has fallen to only 26.4%. The decline continues: in 2024, fewer than a third (28.7%) of children and young people between 8 and 18 indicate that they experience pleasure in writing during their free time. Writing every day? Only 11.1% of this group still do that. In the past twelve months that figure has halved.
Over the years, the joy in writing steadily diminishes. Boys experience the most hindrance specifically: the pleasure in writing amongst boys aged 5 to 8 has fallen by almost 12 percentage points in just one year.
Although girls perform slightly better, their development also shows a declining trend. Research shows that children from disadvantaged families, who are entitled to free school meals, experience even more pleasure in writing than their affluent peers. This is clear evidence that creativity does not automatically correlate with a well-stocked lunchbox.
For those who still take up the pen, creativity is the ultimate source of inspiration: as many as 59.1% of children and young people write to give their imagination free rein, 52.8% do so to express their thoughts, and 47.7% to share their emotions. Writing as a form of therapy, a liberating outlet, a means to understand the complexity of the world. These are timeless motivations that even ChatGPT cannot imitate.
Professional writing forms a unique specialisation. In the United States in 2023 there were approximately 49,500 active professional writers and authors. A small percentage of the total working population, and even a decline compared with previous years. Throughout the world there are countless individuals who consider themselves authors, but the number who actually earn their livelihood through writing is limited and declining steadily.
The increasing influence of artificial intelligence, combined with the financial pressure on media and publishers, is leading to a decrease in the number of paid writing commissions, particularly within the classical domains such as journalism and television.
And then we have the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence. Since the introduction of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, AI-produced texts have experienced an unprecedented advance.
On LinkedIn, as many as 54% of extensive messages are produced by artificial intelligence, whilst on Facebook this percentage amounts to 41% and this rise appears to continue.
Content marketers have made the switch en masse: now as many as 90% utilise artificial intelligence for their activities, compared with only 65% in 2023. It is expected that by 2025 as many as 90% of online messages will originate from artificial intelligence.
The advantages are legion: AI produces at lightning speed, is cost-effective and can work in large quantities. For businesses it's a blessing, whilst for authors it can be a real affliction. The demand for human copywriters and content creators is decreasing, particularly when it concerns regular texts and large-scale content. Quality takes a back seat in favour of quantity; originality gives way to efficiency.
The consequence: a monotonous choice of words, diminished trust and a lack of originality.
Studies show that texts produced by AI are often regarded as less credible, less warm and less sincere. Language loses depth, whilst style becomes more uniform.
The subtle nuances of humanity, the surprising turns and the intimate sound gradually dissolve from our shared vocabulary. This poses a clear threat to people in creative professions. Employment evaporates, whilst the standards for truly unique work become ever stricter.
Simultaneously, AI opens the door to new possibilities: accelerating content creation, improving accessibility and increasing personalisation. Yet it remains a challenge not to let the human essence become lost in the ocean of digitalisation.
The human pen has not perished; it's simply enjoying a well-deserved sleep. In a world where algorithms hold sway and texts, produced by AI, flood the web, it seems as if the human writer has become a rare species. Yet a glimmer of hope shines on the horizon for those who still believe in the power of sincere words and the enchantment of the writing process itself.
Although technology continues to advance, the special benefits of writing remain undeniable and irreplaceable. Manual writing stimulates areas in the brain that are hardly stimulated when typing. It stimulates your memory, stimulates your creativity and brings calm to your thoughts. It's an opportunity for concentration, a brief escape from the bustle of the digital world.
Additionally, writing functions as a safe haven for your emotions and thoughts; it offers a wonderful opportunity to structure your inner world both literally and figuratively.
Rediscover the joy of writing with a few handy suggestions
How can you keep the pleasure of writing alive, even when the world around you is increasingly dominated by AI? Below you'll find some practical advice to get your pen (or keyboard) moving again:
Take a moment every day to write, even if it's only ten minutes. When you write every day, you develop your creative capacities and it becomes simpler to choose the right words. Transform it into a sacred ritual: whether it concerns a diary, a short story or a LinkedIn post. Everything is valuable!
Abandon the thought that everything must be flawless. Switch off your internal critic temporarily. Writing is not a competition for perfection; it's an art form that revolves around self-expression. It's perfectly acceptable to make mistakes, indeed, it's an essential part of learning.
Ensure a suitable atmosphere. Find a place where you feel completely at ease. Whether you're in a bustling café or in a serene attic room, once you feel free and uninhibited there, creativity will flow effortlessly.
Seek the company of those who encourage and support you. Share your writings with those who inspire and motivate you. Insights from fellow supporters stimulate your development and ensure lasting joy in your activities.
Deploy writing exercises to get creativity going. Set a timer for ten minutes and let the words flow without interruption, about anything that comes into your thoughts. It doesn't matter what about, as long as you put pen to paper. You'll discover that inspiration comes to you naturally. Treat yourself to the well-deserved rest and freedom.
Divide your work into segments and allow yourself genuine breaks. Simply take a walk, enjoy a steaming mug of coffee, and then set off again. In this way the joy of writing remains intact and you prevent it from feeling like an obligation.
AI is not an opponent, but rather a valuable assistant. Apply it where it increases returns; for data, concise summaries or common texts. But preferably keep the true art of writing, the stories imbued with emotion and subtlety, for yourself. It's precisely in that writing that the foundation of a strong personal brand identity lies.
At this moment there is a strong demand for sincere voices and personal experiences. For words that not only convey knowledge, but also appeal emotionally and create connection.
The writing world of tomorrow doesn't revolve around the choice between man or machine, but about discovering a harmonious collaboration. Let artificial intelligence tidy up the mess, but restore the joy of writing. Writing is more than just an art; it reflects a certain life philosophy. It revolves around the ability to slow down, to reflect and to make connections.
Take up that pen again, open that blank page and give yourself the chance to experiment, to stumble and to shine. More about how authenticity and writing together build a powerful personal brand.
As long as there are people who wield their pen to experience emotions, gather insights and make connections, the enchantment of the written word will always remain.
An ode to the pen, therefore.
Written by
Peter van der SteegePeter van der Steege is a brand strategist, designer and AI director. He builds brands for entrepreneurs and writes about what makes brands strong, from strategy to the role of AI and humanity. He lives and works in Groningen.
