The landscape of writing and content creation is poised for significant changes in the coming years, particularly as 2025 approaches, according to insights from WIRED. This shift comes amidst growing discontent with the volume of low-quality content saturating the internet, produced largely by the demands of search engine optimisation and the attention economy, which many believe prioritise quantity over quality.
Data from the Authors’ Licensing and Copywriting Society reveals a troubling trend: authors' incomes have plummeted by 60.2 percent when adjusted for inflation from 2006 to 2022. This decline has been exacerbated by the proliferation of generative AI technologies that allow for the rapid creation of content, further diminishing the financial viability of traditional writing careers. The implications of this trend have raised concerns about the future of literature and journalism, which some critics argue have been simplified into a mere product rather than an art form.
However, projections suggest that a renaissance for human writers could materialise in 2025. The over-saturation of automated content is expected to lead to a demand for high-quality, emotionally resonant writing. The emerging narrative posits that as audiences become fatigued with content that lacks depth, they will begin to seek out and value authentic human expression, ultimately reversing the detrimental trends witnessed in recent years. The belief is that the soaring use of AI for content generation will prompt consumers to desire richer, more meaningful narratives, allowing for a resurgence in appreciation for traditional writing skills.
As generative AI continues to provoke debate within the creative community, regulatory bodies are also stepping into the fray. The European Union and UK regulators have succeeded in pausing Meta's AI training plans as a response to concerns raised by civil society organisations such as NOYB. This regulatory environment marks the beginning of a broader discourse surrounding the ethical use of AI technology in journalism and publishing, as traditional publishers including The New York Times adopt a more cautious stance regarding AI partnerships. In contrast, others, like the Financial Times and The Atlantic, have chosen to ally with AI firms, reflecting a belief that cooperation is essential for survival.
The litigation landscape surrounding AI is set to expand as the industry grapples with questions of liability and accountability. Issues of defamation related to the dissemination of AI-generated content, particularly as misinformation circulates online, will face legal scrutiny. The academic world is not immune to these challenges; for instance, Wiley recently closed 19 journals after being inundated with fraudulent research papers, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of AI on content integrity.
As the industry evolves, there are signs that the value of human creativity is becoming apparent to corporations that initially sought to automate the writing process. AI companies are beginning to engage poets, seeking to infuse their products with a semblance of human creativity. This trend was underscored by the 2024 revival of copywriters, who found new roles as humanisers for AI-generated marketing materials that routinely fail to resonate with audiences.
Furthermore, significant backlash has occurred against AI-generated works, such as the cancellation of the London premiere of “The Last Screenwriter," a film authored by ChatGPT 4.0, following complaints regarding its inception. This incident illustrates a growing resistance to content that is perceived as lacking human insight and creativity.
As the market adjusts to these dynamics, publishers that prioritise human writers and foster authentic connections with their audience are likely to flourish. A shift is anticipated, where publishers who commodify human input find themselves at a disadvantage, losing both talent and readership. The narrative for 2025 thus positions human writers as essential to the creation of compelling, nuanced stories amid a sea of automated content, reflecting a burgeoning recognition of their intrinsic value.
Source: Noah Wire Services