I Turned Down a Graduate Program Provide As AI Destroys My Business

In early January 2024, I acquired a dream acceptance letter from the distinguished College of Sydney’s artistic writing graduate program. It wasn’t just a few program; it was validation.

Ever since I can keep in mind, I’ve spent numerous hours sitting in my room, writing tales. I used to be certain I might write a bestseller sometime. Though my dad and mom did not see writing as a profession again then, I used to be decided to beat the percentages and show them mistaken. Stepping into the College of Sydney was step one in that success.

However after my acceptance letter arrived, I noticed the world was shifting in a unique course. My sense of marvel and writing chops stood no likelihood towards synthetic intelligence. I talked myself out of the profession path because it now not appeared profitable.

I could not ignore the adjustments AI is inflicting

I really like language greater than gardeners love filth. I grew up studying Francine Pascal’s “Candy Valley Twin” sequence and Danielle Metal’s escapades. I as soon as refused to go away my room for days as a result of my most beloved character in a e-book died, however since ChatGPT and different AI instruments arrived, one thing in my artistic radar has shifted.

In late 2023, I started noticing adjustments within the media panorama. Publications have been shedding most of their writers, and mates within the trade misplaced out on nice gigs and began competing with AI-generated writing.

As for the e-book trade, I noticed AI is not going to spend years crafting an exciting romance novel; it would as an alternative churn out a thousand ebooks a month. For the business aspect of the trade, that may all the time be sufficient.

In the meantime, MFA packages, just like the one I used to be admitted to on the College of Sydney, nonetheless educate that the literary market is untouched. I have been struggling to imagine that.

I needed to ask my admissions officer: Are you making ready for the world we’re coming into?

I made a decision to not settle for the graduate program’s provide

Since I acquired my admission, I’ve been combating a relentless battle between staying true to what I imagine and maintaining with new know-how. Within the back-and-forth, it looks like I am shedding my ardour. Despite the fact that I attempted to rationalize {that a} artistic program is not solely concerning the job prospects, that it is about artwork, refinement, and bringing individuals collectively by way of written artwork, all the things else round us is pointing to a devastating finish.

I pictured myself two years later, with my diploma in hand, querying brokers whereas 1000’s of AI-written books stuffed bookstores. I imagined spending time writing wonderful essays that editors would run by way of AI filters earlier than deciding whether or not they needed to assign cheaper variations of the story. The considered being out of date scared me stiff.

So, I made the heart-wrenching resolution to stroll away from the MFA.

Many individuals advised me I used to be being overly dramatic as a result of AI may by no means substitute actual writing and people will all the time crave genuine tales, however I assumed they have been underestimating how shortly the market is shifting.

I additionally began interested by what my grasp’s program would do for me. Would I be pleased with the credentials? Or would I really feel depleted after a $50,000 funding for 2 years of examine?

I am discovering my very own approach into the longer term

Since I turned down this system, I have been experimenting with completely different storytelling initiatives. Whereas I have been freelancing full-time, I’ve additionally joined writing communities that target genuine tales.

There are days once I marvel what my lessons would have been like, and it makes me unhappy that I am going to by no means expertise them. Many individuals are nonetheless pursuing MFAs, and it is nonetheless price it.

However I do know now that I do not plan to desert writing; I am going to simply should reinvent it.