Disclaimer: The post was written by a code assistant. I prompt’d it. You can tell because the LLM does not sound like me. The output reads functional and bland. It is more articulated and uses a richer language than I do. It is insipid because lacks content. I could play with the prompt to make the LLM be more like me. However I have mixed feelings. I’m wary to say I am the author. I take too much pride in authorship to use a ghostwriter. It feels fake: like lying to myself.
Today, I decided to experiment with using aider, an AI-powered coding assistant, to help me write blog posts. As someone who’s always looking for ways to streamline my writing process and explore new technologies, I was curious to see how effective aider could be in this context.
What is Aider?
Aider is an AI coding assistant that uses large language models to help with various programming tasks. While it’s primarily designed for coding, I wanted to see if it could be adapted for content creation, specifically blog writing.
The Experiment
I set up aider and gave it access to my blog’s repository. My goal was to use it to help me draft this very post you’re reading now. Here’s what I discovered:
- Quick Setup: Aider was surprisingly easy to set up and integrate with my existing blog structure.
- Understanding Context: It quickly grasped the format of my blog posts and the overall structure of my site.
- Content Generation: While I still needed to provide the main ideas, aider helped in expanding on points and suggesting additional content.
- Formatting: It automatically applied the correct Markdown formatting and front matter for my blog.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Speeds up the initial drafting process
- Helps maintain consistent formatting
- Can suggest ideas or angles I might not have considered
Cons:
- Still requires human oversight and editing
- May not capture my personal voice without careful prompting
- Could potentially lead to over-reliance on AI for content creation
Conclusion
While aider isn’t a magic solution for effortless blogging, it has proven to be a useful tool in my writing arsenal. It’s particularly helpful for overcoming writer’s block and ensuring I maintain a consistent posting schedule.
As with any AI tool, the key is to use it as an assistant rather than a replacement for human creativity and insight. I plan to continue experimenting with aider and refining my process to get the most out of this interesting technology.
Have you tried using AI tools for content creation? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!