The digital writing landscape is undergoing a radical transformation driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Platforms like Substack, which empower individual writers to reach audiences directly, are at the forefront of this change. This article examines the subtleties of AI’s integration into Substack and analyzes the varying perspectives that surrounding it. As the co-founder of Substack, Hamish McKenzie remarked, the generative AI boom is not merely a trend but a profound shift that writers must navigate, regardless of their opinions on the technology.
Many writers on Substack are not fully embracing AI to supplant their creative processes. Instead, they are leveraging its capabilities to enhance their current workflows. This nuanced relationship between AI and writing reflects a broader trend seen across the creative industries—AI serves as a tool rather than a replacement.
In the same vein as the writers interviewed by WIRED, David Skilling, a prominent figure in the sports agency sector and the mastermind behind the popular soccer newsletter Original Football, views AI as a “substitute editor.” For Skilling, tools that streamline productivity within their business environment are not just helpful but essential. His differentiation between AI-generated and AI-assisted content is crucial; while the generated content can often lack the human touch, AI assistance can refine and elevate existing drafts.
Furthermore, Subham Panda, who collaborates on the startup-focused newsletter Spotlight by Xartup, reinforces this perspective. By utilizing AI as an “assistive medium,” Panda and his team are able to curate high-quality content more efficiently. For them, AI is primarily a tool for enhancing the visual appeal of their newsletters—creating images—and aggregating information. The emphasis remains on the human writers who infuse their pieces with context, nuance, and originality.
Writers on Substack, such as Max Avery, who contributes to Strategic Wealth Briefing With Jake Claver, utilize advanced AI writing software to sharpen their drafts rather than craft them from scratch. AI tools, like the Hemingway Editor Plus, provide features that help refine language and structure, ensuring that the final product embodies clarity and coherence. This practice aligns with the modern writer’s need to produce polished content quickly without losing their unique voice.
Similarly, Josh Belanger, a financial entrepreneur with the Belanger Trading newsletter, described how AI, particularly ChatGPT, aids in streamlining his writing process. By structuring his thoughts and incorporating research, Belanger harnesses AI to enhance his productivity, allowing him to focus on delivering valuable insights to his audience. Notably, he has even developed custom versions of ChatGPT tailored to handle financial jargon, minimizing misunderstandings and clarifying complex topics.
While Substack appears to maintain a relatively restrained approach to AI-generated content, the contrast with other platforms is striking. For instance, a recent analysis indicated that up to 40 percent of content on Medium is produced with AI tools. This stark difference highlights Substack’s emphasis on personal voice and authenticity, where content creation is still fundamentally a human endeavor.
As writers continue to explore the possibilities of AI, the question remains whether they will ultimately become collaborators in their creative processes or rely on AI as a crutch. Substack’s ecosystem, with its focus on individualized expressions, stands to benefit from this technological integration, provided that the writers remain at the core of the content creation process.
Ultimately, the dialogue surrounding AI’s role within platforms like Substack is multi-faceted. As writers adapt to the emergence of AI, they are reimagining their creative process, leveraging technology to enhance their storytelling rather than outsourcing it entirely. As McKenzie suggested, resistance to these changes may be futile; instead, embracing AI as a collaborative partner may pave the way for new forms of engaging and high-quality content. With ongoing advancements, the writing world must remain vigilant and adaptive, ensuring that the human touch is never lost amid the rise of technology.