By Gavin Bowyer
Junior year has been chock-full of AI use, and with powerful AI generative programs on the rise, I became curious about how closely AI can simulate human writing. Originally, I wanted to compare my writing with my sister’s, closely relating the writing of siblings who have grown up together. However, being the lazy bum that she is, she neglected to send me her short response to a prompt from AP Lang semester 1 about wanting a friend. Thus, I instead shifted my focus to comparing my writing with AI, and asked ChatGPT to simulate me. Here’s how it went:
I Want a Friend
I want a friend. Friends are absolutely amazing and always accessible for accompaniment. As a friend myself, able to provide someone with comforting support and companionship, the zenith of human connection lies in the care exchanged between two people; people who will stick together through thick and thin. From the smallest compliment to the most grandiose celebration, every personal display of compassion from a friend improves not only your day or the whole week, but even your life in general. Thus, in order to receive the emotional and physical comfort I require, I turn to the epitome of compassion between humans: Friendship.
I Want a Friend
I want a friend. Friends are undeniably remarkable and perpetually present to share life’s moments. As a friend myself, capable of offering unwavering support and consistent presence, the pinnacle of human closeness is found in the trust and loyalty shared between two individuals; individuals who remain steadfast regardless of circumstance. From the briefest word of encouragement to the most elaborate demonstration of devotion, every act of kindness from a friend enriches not just your mood or your day, but your entire existence. Therefore, to attain the solace and connection I seek, I embrace the essence of human solidarity: Friendship.
Unsurprisingly, ChatGPT took “mirror my writing style” as copying my syntax and diction to almost perfectly replicate my response with different wordings. Perhaps I should’ve provided stronger guidelines and provided more to write about, however, ChatGPT did a decent job. While the two excerpts are undoubtedly similar, which one do YOU think is written by AI?