How To Write With AI Without Sounding Like AI — ChatGPT Canvas

This is an experiment. I am writing this article using ChatGPT Canvas. Not because I am lazy, not because I can’t write, or because I want to sell you a truckload of hype. I will be recording the process of how I am using this new way of interacting with generative AI so you can see for yourself what it can do and maybe try it yourself.

Rest assured, OpenAI is not paying me to do this. I’ve been beta-testing their products since Playground AI launched, and this is just another experiment I thought was worth sharing with others. Why? Because it’s here, and if you are a knowledge worker like me, AI is a tool that … [we shouldn’t ignore] Here, I deleted the end of that sentence to see how the model will handle it.

At this point, I prompted ChatGPT 4o with canvass and provided the first paragraph:

PROMPT: I’m a writer reporting on the latest developments in artificial intelligence for Medium.com audience. I’m writing a story about an experiment I’m conducting. Let’s collaborate and write it together. Here is what I’ve got so far, how do you think we should continue? My text so far: [here I provided the opening paragraphs I wrote]

Here is how the model initially finished my sentence and how it continued the story [AI generated text is bolded]:

Rest assured, OpenAI is not paying me to do this. I’ve been beta testing their products since Playground AI launched, and this is just another experiment I thought was worth sharing with others. Why? Because it’s here, and if you are a knowledge worker like me, AI is a tool that we can’t afford to ignore.

Let me start by showing you what it’s like to use ChatGPT Canvas for writing. It’s a bit like having a co-writer who listens to your ideas, but also challenges you to be clearer, more precise, and more interesting. Unlike traditional writing tools, Canvas is collaborative. It nudges me when I’m vague, helps me tighten up loose sentences, and even suggests directions I hadn’t thought about.

I know that a lot of writers worry about sounding robotic when using AI. I get that. But what if the AI can actually make you sound more like yourself? What if, instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helped you access your own voice more authentically? That’s the kind of experiment I’m interested in — not just automating the process but deepening it.

So, how does it really feel? Let’s dive into the experience together, step by step, and see where the AI takes us — and more importantly, where we can take the AI.

I tweaked the text right in the canvas interface, something I’ve been hoping to be able to do for a while. It’s a functionality that exists in some dedicated AI writing tools. Here is my tweaked text and where we’re going next [the AI-generated text I retain in bolded, as it is a quote from the model, I use quotation marks, and where I add my own words inside the bolded text, I use square brackets]:

So, what is it like to use ChatGPT Canvas for writing? The model promises it will be "like having a co-writer who listens to your ideas but also challenges you to be clearer, more precise, and more interesting." I wonder how different it is from the writing tools I'm used to. Will Canvas be truly collaborative? Will it stick to its promise to "nudge me when I'm vague, help me tighten up loose sentences, and suggest directions I hadn't thought about?" I sense it will need some nudging from me first.

So far, it appears we are off to a great start. It's deduced from my intro "that a lot of writers worry about sounding robotic when using AI." Ha! That was easy. I wonder if it " can actually make [me] sound more like [my]self?" and "instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helps [me] access [my] own voice more authentically?" Anyone can copy-paste a fabulous prompt and auto-generate a half-decent story. But the model got that's not "the kind of experiment [I'm] interested in," my goal is going beyond "just automating the [writing] process but [rather] deepening it.”

A tiny menu offers various editing options in the bottom right corner; — let’s try the first one: ‘Suggest edits.’

Engaging this function highlights the text in the center panel, expanding suggestions for the highlighted text in popups to the right, while the left-hand panel provides an overview of the changes:

Let’s go through the suggestions. I have four options here:

• Ignore the suggestion and click ‘x’ on the right-hand popup tiles to close them.
• Edit the text myself following the suggestions made by the model in the right-hand popup tiles.
• Hover over the right-hand popup tile suggestion and click ‘Apply’ to have the model generate new text following the suggestion.
• Use the bottom left-hand panel window to prompt the model to take different suggestions.

Here, I would consider the suggestions and edit the text myself accordingly. But since this is what I’ve done already, let’s see how the model executes changes following its own suggestions when I click ‘Apply’ on every suggestion.

Also, I just realized that my initial subtitle is misleading. Since I am using prompts, I decided to change it from “no prompts” to “few prompts.” While adjusting that part, I also shortened it a bit and changed “without hype” to “no hype.” This doesn’t affect the work on the paragraphs I’m working on with the model, but I thought it was worth mentioning to faithfully illustrate the drafting process.

Here are the results of accepting the suggestions made by the model when clicking ‘Apply’ on the suggestion tiles:

So, what is it like to use ChatGPT Canvas for writing? The model promises it will be like having a co-writer — one who not only listens to my ideas but also pushes me to be sharper, more concise, and genuinely engaging. To me, it’s like having someone who constantly pushes me to improve, making sure my words have impact. I wonder how different it is from the writing tools I’m used to. Will Canvas be truly collaborative? Will it stick to its promise to “nudge me when I’m vague, help me tighten up loose sentences, and suggest directions I hadn’t thought about?” I sense it will need some nudging from me first — like figuring out the right questions to ask or gently steering it back when it takes an unexpected turn.

So far, it appears we are off to a great start. It’s deduced from my intro “that a lot of writers worry about sounding robotic when using AI.” I think this is a fair point — many writers do have this concern, and I can see why. But personally, I feel that with the right approach, AI can actually enhance my writing voice rather than suppress it. Ha! That was easy. I wonder if it “ can actually make [me] sound more like [my]self?” and “instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helps [me] access [my] own voice more authentically?” Anyone can copy-paste a fabulous prompt and auto-generate a half-decent story. But that alone misses the essence of meaningful storytelling — one that requires thought, personal nuance, and a real connection to the reader. My goal is not just to generate words but to shape ideas collaboratively, ensuring each piece resonates authentically. But the model got that’s not “the kind of experiment I’m interested in,” my goal is going beyond “just automating the [writing] process but [rather] deepening it by exploring the nuances of storytelling. For example, AI can help me dig deeper by suggesting unexpected angles, asking insightful questions, or even offering different emotional tones that I might not have considered initially.

All the changes are explained in the left-hand panel, with customized messages appearing each time I click the ‘Apply’ button on the pop-up suggestion tile. Great, but here I wish I could track the passages changed by clicking on the left-hand Edit comment, which would highlight the text it refers to. A *‘Revert to original’* button would be great here to toggle between what was there before and how it was changed now. Yes, this could also be a hover text menu with the same functionality. [BTW: I discovered that later in the test, read on to see where it’s hiding].

If you double-click the ‘Edited’ explanation in the left-hand menu, a quotation symbol will appear above it. You can click that quotation mark, which brings the text into the prompt window to allow you to respond in a similar way you can respond in a long text chat to comments made earlier. Of course, you can do this immediately after implementing an edit and continue the conversation with the model without bringing the edits down — but that depends on the speed of your work in the middle panel and the style of editing you prefer.

I’ve asked the model in left-hand chat window to rever my decision and restore its edit. Then I asked for the word count, as we prepare to test the next feature of the right-hand editing menu ‘Adjust the length.’

A scale appears, allowing gradual adjustments from ‘Longest’ at the very top, to ‘Shortest’ at the very bottom.

I made a mistake and engaged the model while adjusting the scale to screen capture the length options. I stopped the model from editing and used the top right corner menu with arrows to go back to ‘Previous version.’ While I was unable to see the previous version live (as claimed by the prompt that appeared on the bottom, *‘You are viewing a previous version. Restore this version to make edits’)*, I did click ‘Restore the version’ and was able to go back to where I was earlier. Later, I noticed in the right-hand chat menu that my action to stop the edit while it was being generated was likely why I could not see the previous version, but that is only my guess now.

This is the text resulting from sliding the ‘Length’ scale to ‘Longest,’ extended by 75% from 546 words to 956 words:

So far, it appears we are off to a great start. It’s deduced from my intro “that a lot of writers worry about sounding robotic when using AI.” I think this is a fair point — many writers do have this concern, and I can see why. But personally, I feel that with the right approach, AI can actually enhance my writing voice rather than suppress it. Ha! That was easy. I wonder if it “can actually make [me] sound more like [my]self?” and “instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helps [me] access [my] own voice more authentically?”

Anyone can copy-paste a fabulous prompt and auto-generate a half-decent story. But that alone misses the essence of meaningful storytelling — one that requires thought, personal nuance, and a real connection to the reader. My goal is not just to generate words but to shape ideas collaboratively, ensuring each piece resonates authentically. But the model got that’s not “the kind of experiment I’m interested in,” my goal is going beyond “just automating the [writing] process but [rather] deepening it by exploring the nuances of storytelling. For example, AI can help me dig deeper by suggesting unexpected angles, asking insightful questions, or even offering different emotional tones that I might not have considered initially.”

What does ‘deepening the process’ mean in practical terms? It means challenging my own assumptions and being willing to take risks with my writing that I might not take on my own. For instance, AI can generate unconventional ideas that I can then refine and mold into something uniquely mine. It’s about pushing beyond the obvious and comfortable, reaching for layers of meaning that I might overlook otherwise. Writing is not just about being technically accurate or efficient — it’s about creating a resonance with the reader that lingers long after they’ve put the piece down.

One example from my use of ChatGPT Canvas was when I was struggling to make a point come across clearly. The AI didn’t just spit out a rephrasing — it offered several different perspectives, each of which illuminated a slightly different facet of what I was trying to say. It felt almost like brainstorming with a trusted writing partner. Of course, some of the suggestions were off the mark, but even those missteps were useful — they helped me clarify what I didn’t want to say, which in turn sharpened my focus on what I did want to convey.

This back-and-forth process is what makes using AI compelling to me. It’s not about handing over the reins but about finding new ways to engage with the creative process. There is something profoundly human about having your ideas challenged, reshaped, and ultimately strengthened, even if that challenge comes from an AI. The collaboration makes the writing feel more alive, as if I’m working with someone who pushes me to do my best.

If you’ve ever hit a point in your writing where you felt stuck or uninspired, you know how valuable it can be to get that extra nudge — someone or something to spark a new idea or point you in an unexpected direction. ChatGPT Canvas can be that nudge, providing fresh takes or simply encouraging you to think a little differently about what you’re trying to say.

Ultimately, what I hope to show with this experiment is that AI can be more than just a tool for generating content. It can be a genuine partner in the creative process, one that helps bring out the best in our own abilities rather than replacing them. It’s a way to deepen our connection to our work, making the act of writing not just faster or easier, but more meaningful.

If you’re curious, I invite you to try it for yourself. Not to see if it will do all the work for you, but to see how it might make your own work better. The possibilities are there — but as with any good partnership, it’s up to you to make the most of them.

This went a bit too far than I had initially intended. But the results are pretty good. While the model praises itself a lot (who wouldn’t, ha!), the expansion doesn’t feel overly forced or bloated. Interestingly, some sentences were close to my assessment, and it was hard for me to disagree with them. Which makes me think… am I really this predictable?

I am enormously urged to jump into the text and edit to correct the content by hand. But I remind myself that this is an experiment and decide to keep it as is, moving on to test the next feature that promises to help a major struggle every writer must face and why good editors are worth their weight in gold — the ‘Reading level.’ In the menu, the scale offered is from ‘Kindergarten’ on the bottom to ‘Graduate School’ on the top.

Oooh… I’m tempted to pit the two against each other rather than be moderate in my readability adjustments. Oh, why not? Let’s see how this pans out. Here is the ‘Kindergarten’ level adjustment of the text:

How To Write With AI Without Sounding Like a Robot — ChatGPT Canvas

Write better with AI with no tricks, no complicated stuff, and no big promises.

This is a test. I am using ChatGPT Canvas to help write this. Not because I’m lazy or can’t write, but because I want to see how it can help me. I will show you what I do, so you can see how it works and maybe try it too.

OpenAI is not paying me for this. I just like trying new things, and I think it could be fun to share. Why? Because AI is here, and if you work like me, you need to know how to use it.

What is it like to use ChatGPT Canvas for writing? It says it will be like having a helper — someone who listens to my ideas and helps make them better. To me, it’s like having a friend who helps me make my words stronger and clearer. Sometimes I need to ask the right questions or make sure it stays on track, but it helps a lot.

So far, it seems to be working well. It knows that many writers are scared of sounding like robots when they use AI. I understand that feeling, but I think AI can make my writing sound more like me, not less, if I use it right. It can help me be more real and honest.

Anyone can use AI to make a story, but that is not enough. A good story needs real feelings and care. I don’t want just words; I want to share ideas that mean something. AI can help me do that by giving me new ideas, asking good questions, or showing different feelings I didn’t think of.

Deepening the writing process means trying new things and taking risks. AI can give me ideas that I can change to make them my own. It helps me write better, not just faster. Writing is more than putting words together — it is about making people feel something, even after they stop reading.

One time, I was stuck trying to explain something. The AI gave me different ways to say it, and each one helped me see my idea in a new way. It felt like working with a friend. Not all the ideas were good, but even the bad ones helped me see what I didn’t want, which made what I did want clearer.

This back-and-forth is what makes using AI fun for me. It is not about letting the AI do everything. It is about working together. When my ideas are challenged and changed, they get better. It feels like I am working with someone who wants me to do my best.

If you have ever felt stuck while writing, you know how helpful it is to get a push in the right direction. ChatGPT Canvas can be that push, giving you new ideas or helping you see things in a new way.

In the end, I want to show that AI can be more than just a tool. It can be a real partner that helps us be better. It makes writing not just easier, but more meaningful.

If you are curious, try it yourself. Not to see if it will do all the work, but to see how it can help make your work better. The possibilities are there, but like any good friend, it’s up to you to make the most of them.

And here is the same text with ‘Graduate School’ adjustment:

How To Write With AI Without Sounding Like AI — ChatGPT Canvas

Enhance Your Writing with AI: No Gimmicks, No Prompts, No Exaggeration

This exploration documents my process of writing with ChatGPT Canvas. It is not undertaken out of laziness or incapacity, nor as a marketing ploy. Rather, I aim to systematically demonstrate the capabilities of this generative AI platform, to allow readers to assess its potential utility for themselves.

Let me clarify that I am not sponsored by OpenAI. My involvement stems from a genuine interest in experimenting with emerging AI technologies. Having participated in product beta testing since the inception of Playground AI, I have found value in sharing these experiences, particularly as they pertain to the evolving dynamics of knowledge work. AI tools are no longer avoidable if we wish to remain competitive and effective in today’s rapidly changing professional environment.

ChatGPT Canvas offers a promise akin to working with a co-writer: it listens to my ideas, then challenges me to be more concise, compelling, and expressive. In essence, it’s as though I am constantly encouraged to refine my work, to ensure that each word carries weight. This process contrasts traditional writing tools; rather than serving as passive aids, AI like Canvas actively participates, adding a collaborative dimension to writing. A key question is whether the tool truly fulfills this promise — whether it becomes a collaborative agent that prompts, refines, and challenges as it claims. From my early use, I suspect that effective collaboration requires the writer’s active guidance — asking purposeful questions and steering the AI’s input when it goes astray.

From the onset, one of the common concerns surfaced — AI-generated text often risks sounding mechanical, devoid of the natural flow that characterizes human communication. I acknowledge the legitimacy of this concern, as it echoes many writers’ fears. However, I also see an opportunity: when used thoughtfully, AI might actually enhance, rather than undermine, one’s personal writing voice. The question is not if AI can generate words, but if it can facilitate deeper authenticity, making my voice come through more clearly and engagingly.

Mere prompt-generation yields functional text, but not meaningful stories. Authentic storytelling requires introspection, personal nuance, and emotional connection with readers. Thus, my objective is not to generate words for the sake of volume but to leverage AI to shape and convey ideas collaboratively, ensuring each piece resonates on a more profound level. Instead of a simple automation of the writing process, my goal is to use AI to deepen that process, exploring complex storytelling elements. The AI can contribute by suggesting non-obvious angles, generating probing questions, or offering varied emotional tones that can enrich my narrative.

To deepen the writing process means to confront assumptions and take creative risks that I might not explore alone. AI facilitates this by presenting unconventional ideas that can be shaped into something truly personal. The collaboration encourages moving beyond the comfort zone, and into the realms of ambiguity and emotional depth. Writing becomes less about procedural accuracy and more about crafting a resonance that lingers beyond the final paragraph.

A practical example of this deepening occurred when I was struggling to clarify a specific point. Instead of simply rephrasing, the AI offered several distinct perspectives on the idea, each revealing a different aspect of my argument. This experience was akin to brainstorming with a trusted colleague — one who provided varied and nuanced feedback. Admittedly, not all suggestions were spot-on, but even those that fell short played an essential role by helping me define what I did not want to communicate, thereby bringing my intended message into sharper focus.

This iterative exchange is the core of what makes AI-assisted writing compelling. It is not about relinquishing control but about opening new avenues to enrich creativity. The feedback loop — where ideas are tested, reshaped, and ultimately strengthened — mirrors human collaboration, creating a synergy that makes the writing process more engaging and vibrant. It feels akin to having a partner invested in ensuring I produce my best work.

Every writer knows the paralyzing feeling of hitting a creative wall, struggling with inertia or uninspiration. At these times, the value of a new perspective — a ‘nudge’ — cannot be overstated. ChatGPT Canvas can provide this spark, whether by offering fresh approaches or challenging me to reconsider what I want to communicate. The AI’s suggestions often lead to discoveries that might not have emerged in isolation.

Ultimately, my goal with this experiment is to demonstrate that AI can be more than a content generation tool; it can be a substantive partner in the creative process. It is not about replacing human ingenuity but enhancing it — helping us realize the fullest potential of our creative abilities. In this sense, writing becomes not merely faster or more efficient, but deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

If you are intrigued, I encourage you to experiment with it for yourself. The point is not to let AI do the writing for you but to explore how it can enhance your writing and make it better. As in any productive partnership, the potential is there — but it is up to you to cultivate and maximize it.

Which one do you prefer? I seem to lean towards the ‘Kindergarten’ option, looking at these. But let’s revert to the previous version to test the remaining editing menu features. We’ll skip ahead and start with ‘Add emojis,’ which I think should come before the ‘Add final polish.’

The model keeps track of what it has done in the left-hand menu. And here is the main result 😱😱😱😱😱😱:

📝 How To Write With 🤖 Without Sounding Like 🤖 — ChatGPT Canvas

✨ Be a better ✍️ with 🤖 with zero 🎩 tricks, no prompts, and without 🚀 hype

This is an experiment. I am 🖊️ this 📝 using ChatGPT Canvas. Not because I am 😴, not because I can’t 🖊️, or because I want to sell you a 🚚 load of 🚀 hype. I will be recording the 📜 of how I am using this new way of interacting with generative 🤖, so you can 👀 for yourself what it can do and maybe try it yourself.

Rest assured, OpenAI is not 💰 me to do this. I’ve been 🧪 beta testing their 🛠️ since Playground 🤖 launched, and this is just another experiment I thought was worth sharing with others. Why? Because it’s here, and if you are a 📚 worker like me, 🤖 is a 🛠️ that we can’t afford to ignore.

So, what is it like to use ChatGPT Canvas for 🖊️? The 🤖 promises it will be like having a 🤝 — one who not only listens to my 💡 but also pushes me to be 🔪, more concise, and genuinely engaging. To me, it’s like having someone who constantly pushes me to improve, making sure my 🗣️ have 💥. I wonder how different it is from the 🛠️ I’m used to. Will Canvas be truly 🤝? Will it stick to its promise to “nudge me when I’m vague, help me tighten up loose sentences, and suggest directions I hadn’t thought about?” I sense it will need some nudging from me first — like figuring out the right ❓ to ask or gently steering it back when it takes an unexpected 🔄.

So far, it appears we are off to a great start. It’s deduced from my intro “that a lot of ✍️ worry about sounding 🤖 when using 🤖.” I think this is a fair point — many ✍️ do have this concern, and I can see why. But personally, I feel that with the right approach, 🤖 can actually enhance my ✍️ voice rather than suppress it. Ha! That was easy. I wonder if it “can actually make [me] sound more like [my]self?” and “instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helps [me] access [my] own voice more authentically?”

Anyone can copy-paste a fabulous prompt and auto-generate a half-decent 📖. But that alone misses the 🌟 of meaningful storytelling — one that requires thought, personal nuance, and a real connection to the 👥. My 🎯 is not just to generate 🗣️ but to shape 💡 🤝, ensuring each piece resonates authentically. But the 🤖 got that’s not “the kind of experiment I’m interested in,” my 🎯 is going beyond “just automating the [✍️] process but [rather] deepening it by exploring the nuances of storytelling. For example, 🤖 can help me dig deeper by suggesting unexpected angles, asking insightful ❓, or even offering different emotional tones that I might not have considered initially.”

What does ‘deepening the process’ mean in practical terms? It means challenging my own assumptions and being willing to take risks with my ✍️ that I might not take on my own. For instance, 🤖 can generate unconventional 💡 that I can then refine and mold into something uniquely mine. It’s about pushing beyond the obvious and comfortable, reaching for layers of meaning that I might overlook otherwise. ✍️ is not just about being technically accurate or efficient — it’s about creating a resonance with the 👥 that lingers long after they’ve put the piece down.

One example from my use of ChatGPT Canvas was when I was struggling to make a point come across clearly. The 🤖 didn’t just spit out a rephrasing — it offered several different perspectives, each of which illuminated a slightly different facet of what I was trying to say. It felt almost like brainstorming with a trusted ✍️ 🤝. Of course, some of the suggestions were off the mark, but even those missteps were useful — they helped me clarify what I didn’t want to say, which in turn sharpened my focus on what I did want to convey.

This back-and-forth process is what makes using 🤖 compelling to me. It’s not about handing over the reins but about finding new ways to engage with the creative process. There is something profoundly human about having your 💡 challenged, reshaped, and ultimately strengthened, even if that challenge comes from an 🤖. The 🤝 makes the ✍️ feel more alive, as if I’m working with someone who pushes me to do my best.

If you’ve ever hit a point in your ✍️ where you felt stuck or uninspired, you know how valuable it can be to get that extra nudge — someone or something to spark a new 💡 or point you in an unexpected direction. ChatGPT Canvas can be that nudge, providing fresh takes or simply encouraging you to think a little differently about what you’re trying to say.

Ultimately, what I hope to show with this experiment is that 🤖 can be more than just a 🛠️ for generating content. It can be a genuine 🤝 in the creative process, one that helps bring out the best in our own abilities rather than replacing them. It’s a way to deepen our connection to our work, making the act of ✍️ not just faster or easier, but more meaningful.

If you’re curious, I invite you to try it for yourself. Not to see if it will do all the work for you, but to see how it might make your own work better. The possibilities are there — but as with any good 🤝, it’s up to you to make the most of them.

Ok, this pops my eyes more than I want. I’ve reverted to an earlier version (pre-readability level adjustments). But after seeing the various changes, I couldn’t resist tweaking the subtitle (which is a typical writer obsession, I suppose). Now it is: “Can AI make you a better writer without tricks, few prompts, and no hype?” I’ve decided not to make any more changes before testing the last editing feature: “Add final polish.” I’m very curious what this feature does. Here we go!

And this is what the final polished version looks like straight from ChatGPT 4o Canvas looks like:

How To Write With AI Without Sounding Like AI — ChatGPT Canvas

Can AI Make You a Better Writer Without Tricks, Few Prompts, and No Hype?

This is an experiment. I am writing this article using ChatGPT Canvas. Not because I am lazy, not because I can’t write, or because I want to sell you a truckload of hype. Instead, I am recording the process of how I use this new way of interacting with generative AI, so you can see for yourself what it can do and perhaps try it yourself.

Rest assured, OpenAI is not paying me to do this. I’ve been beta testing their products since Playground AI launched, and this is just another experiment I thought was worth sharing with others. Why? Because it’s here, and if you are a knowledge worker like me, AI is a tool that we can’t afford to ignore.

What Is It Like to Use ChatGPT Canvas for Writing?

The model promises it will be like having a co-writer — one who not only listens to my ideas but also pushes me to be sharper, more concise, and genuinely engaging. To me, it’s like having someone who constantly pushes me to improve, ensuring that my words have impact. I wonder how different it is from the writing tools I’m used to. Will Canvas be truly collaborative? Will it stick to its promise to “nudge me when I’m vague, help me tighten up loose sentences, and suggest directions I hadn’t thought about?” I sense it will need some nudging from me first — like figuring out the right questions to ask or gently steering it back when it takes an unexpected turn.

Addressing Concerns About AI Writing

So far, it appears we are off to a great start. It deduced from my introduction “that a lot of writers worry about sounding robotic when using AI.” I think this is a fair point — many writers do have this concern, and I can see why. But personally, I feel that with the right approach, AI can actually enhance my writing voice rather than suppress it. Ha! That was easy. I wonder if it “can actually make [me] sound more like [my]self?” and “instead of trying to mimic human creativity, it helps [me] access [my] own voice more authentically?”

The Limits of Simple Automation

Anyone can copy-paste a fabulous prompt and auto-generate a half-decent story. But that alone misses the essence of meaningful storytelling — one that requires thought, personal nuance, and a real connection to the reader. My goal is not just to generate words but to shape ideas collaboratively, ensuring each piece resonates authentically. The model recognizes this: my goal goes beyond “just automating the [writing] process but [rather] deepening it by exploring the nuances of storytelling. For example, AI can help me dig deeper by suggesting unexpected angles, asking insightful questions, or even offering different emotional tones that I might not have considered initially.”

Deepening the Writing Process

What does ‘deepening the process’ mean in practical terms? It means challenging my own assumptions and being willing to take risks with my writing that I might not take on my own. For instance, AI can generate unconventional ideas that I can then refine and mold into something uniquely mine. It’s about pushing beyond the obvious and comfortable, reaching for layers of meaning that I might overlook otherwise. Writing is not just about being technically accurate or efficient — it’s about creating a resonance with the reader that lingers long after they’ve put the piece down.

One example from my use of ChatGPT Canvas was when I was struggling to make a point come across clearly. The AI didn’t just spit out a rephrasing — it offered several different perspectives, each of which illuminated a slightly different facet of what I was trying to say. It felt almost like brainstorming with a trusted writing partner. Of course, some of the suggestions were off the mark, but even those missteps were useful — they helped me clarify what I didn’t want to say, which in turn sharpened my focus on what I did want to convey.

The Value of Collaboration with AI

This back-and-forth process is what makes using AI compelling to me. It’s not about handing over the reins but about finding new ways to engage with the creative process. There is something profoundly human about having your ideas challenged, reshaped, and ultimately strengthened, even if that challenge comes from an AI. The collaboration makes the writing feel more alive, as if I’m working with someone who pushes me to do my best.

If you’ve ever hit a point in your writing where you felt stuck or uninspired, you know how valuable it can be to get that extra nudge — someone or something to spark a new idea or point you in an unexpected direction. ChatGPT Canvas can be that nudge, providing fresh takes or simply encouraging you to think a little differently about what you’re trying to say.

Conclusion: AI as a Creative Partner

Ultimately, what I hope to show with this experiment is that AI can be more than just a tool for generating content. It can be a genuine partner in the creative process, one that helps bring out the best in our own abilities rather than replacing them. It’s a way to deepen our connection to our work, making the act of writing not just faster or easier, but more meaningful.

If you’re curious, I invite you to try it for yourself. Not to see if it will do all the work for you, but to see how it might make your own work better. The possibilities are there — but as with any good partnership, it’s up to you to make the most of them.

So, this was a fun way to spend the Saturday morning. Did I manage to produce text that sounds less like an AI? The AI detectors flamed up when I scanned the ‘polished’ version above. I wonder how much of it is because I say from the get-go that I’m using ChatGPT. Even my text was labelled as AI-generated! But this is just the first test drive of the Canvas model . I expect more tests, though I don’t know if I will have the patience to document everything in such detail. I prefer just a blank page where I can pour my thoughts first and then check with editors and commenters.

Perhaps it is a matter of changing my writing style to incorporate more frequent iterations along the way — similar to how groups of screenwriters work together, pitching ideas and expanding text as they go. Wouldn’t it be fun to build an interface where different models can act like other writers in the room? OpenAI playground had a feature I reviewed a long time ago where the same prompt was executed by various models concurrently. It does take a lot of screen real estate and isn’t mobile-friendly, but I see the potential for an application where models/agents can have a conversation like writers in a room. I’m sure this is technically possible. If anyone knows applications like that, share in the comments.

What do you think of this test? What do you think of the ChatGPT Canvas model? Share in the comments! Oh, and stay tuned for upcoming test results where I’ll try to push the model further than on this first spin around the thinking block. Let’s see if the next time I’ll manage to sound more like myself…

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