How ChatGPT is Changing Creative Work

My Take on ChatGPT in the Creative Space

My take on this may be a little controversial, but it’s something I think needs to be said—especially with the creative landscape shifting rapidly around us. I watched an interview the other day with a teacher who was asked what she thought about the use of ChatGPT in her classroom. She shrugged and said there was no point in fighting it. Just like the calculator, it’s here to stay. So instead of resisting, she restructured her assignments knowing her students would use it—and then used class time for discussion, breaking down what ChatGPT produced and teaching students how to think critically and improve on it.

That stuck with me. Because the truth is, ChatGPT is just a tool. A very powerful one, yes—but still a tool. The real problem comes when people start thinking it can replace their entire voice, their job, their creative input. It can’t. At least, not if you want something that feels authentic.

The Role of ChatGPT in Creative Writing

In the creative space—especially writing, design, and ideation—I see two very different camps forming. One that embraces AI tools for creatives like a magic shortcut, and another that fears it’ll flatten human expression altogether. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

It’s amazing for getting unstuck, for exploring new angles, for taking a jumble of thoughts and giving it structure. But it’s not you. It doesn’t have your life experience. It doesn’t walk through your day, carry your heartbreak, feel your joy, or hear the way someone’s laugh catches in your throat. And that’s the part people still crave, whether they know it or not.

The Pros and Cons of ChatGPT in the Creative Space

The environment is changing rapidly. Businesses, even individual creators, are pumping out content faster than ever. Some of it’s impressive, sure—but some of it feels… hollow. Like you can tell no real person was behind it. That’s the danger. If we let AI lead the conversation without any human thread tying it back to real life, real feeling, we lose what makes art truly matter.

On the other hand, ChatGPT can significantly enhance creativity when used intentionally. It can help writers break through blocks, organize thoughts, or brainstorm new ideas. For educators, marketers, and artists, it’s an assistant—not a replacement.

But when people stop thinking altogether and start outsourcing their voice to a robot, that's when we’ve got a problem.

So How Do We Move Forward With AI?

We use it, but we don’t rely on it. We treat it like the calculator, not the mathematician. We collaborate with it, but we don’t let it speak for us. We remember that creativity isn’t just about output—it’s about soul. And as long as we don’t give that part away, we’ll be just fine.