I use Google Docs as my default app for simple writing (journaling, first drafts, exercise log). For technical writing I use LaTex (via Overleaf), and at work I typically use Microsoft Word (as we all do). All of these writing “apps” have AI writing assistants with varying levels of intrusion into the writing process. Besides the spellchecker and simple grammar checker to catch obvious typos, I do not use any of the AI features in those apps. Ok, I will use an AI assistant or even Claude for suggestions when I am unsure of grammatical rules, but that is it.
As I think most people do, for a first draft I find it faster to pound out text quickly and then use the autocorrect feature to correct spelling and typos. I do not use AI tools for writing a first draft (“Tell me what you want to say and I’ll write it for you”) or polishing a final draft; I fear that offloading that cognitive effort will lead to brain rot. Lately I’ve been thinking that even using a spellchecker might be affecting my writing and my thinking. That is, should I know how to spell well? What I am losing by outsourcing my spelling to our robot overlords?
An analogy might be the use of calculators. I am confident that I can perform long division or add fractions with a pencil and paper, so my use of a calculator is not harming my brain. Same for spreadsheets, or even writing a program to perform more complex calculations. However, I will work out the algebra of some derivation by hand rather than outsourcing to an AI tool because algebra is a (modestly) higher level skill that I want to maintain. I am not perfect in doing this when deadlines are tight and I need to get work done, but I am aware of the possible impacts on my cognition if I let AI replace some of my higher level thinking.
I guess the question is: Is a spellchecker similar to a calculator, or more similar to an AI symbolic algebra tool?
Lately I’ve been thinking that a spellchecker is more like the later. Not so much for correcting obvious typos of simple words, but for outsourcing the spelling of more complex words. That is, spelling is connected to the understanding of language; it is key to building vocabulary. If I take the time to look up the spelling of a word in a dictionary, I’ll learn something about the word (etymology, etc). Or even see some suggestions for alternative words that will grow my vocabulary. This is important not only for brain training, but also for speaking.
I think the balance for me is to allow the app to correct the spelling of words I know but take the time to look up by hand words I’m less familiar. And do this honestly.