AI is great at organizing information, but it doesn’t think—it processes.
That’s why writing is still one of the most powerful tools for learning and critical thinking. It forces you to:
Clarify your thoughts.
Connect ideas in new ways.
Find what’s missing.
Personal Example: Taking Notes at Church
Just recently, I took focused notes at church and later used them to develop a blog post ([link to the 3-16-2025 post]).
Now, if I had asked AI to summarize the sermon for me, I might have gotten a decent summary—but I wouldn’t have made the personal connections that helped shape my writing.
Lesson: AI can summarize, but writing helps you process and deeply understand.
The Calculator Effect: AI is a Tool, Not a Thinker
Think about a calculator. It can instantly solve math problems, but it doesn’t understand math.
AI works the same way:
• Spreadsheets analyze data, but humans interpret what it means.
• Web searches find information, but they don’t check for accuracy.
• AI can draft an article, but it doesn’t know if it’s actually useful.
In Writing to Learn (Affiliate Link), the idea is that writing forces you to process what you know.
Example: If you Google “How to improve website conversions,” you’ll find strategies—but if you write about them, you’ll internalize them.
Lesson: AI provides answers, but writing creates understanding.
AI Can’t Recognize What’s Missing
One of the biggest dangers of relying on AI is that it doesn’t notice gaps in logic.
Personal Example: Seeing What AI Misses
I’ve learned to recognize what isn’t said—to spot the missing details AI-generated content overlooks.
AI-generated writing often feels complete, but:
It avoids taking a strong stance.
It lacks depth and original insight.
It doesn’t highlight what’s missing.
In Tiny Experiments (Affiliate Link), testing and refining are key. AI-generated content rarely improves itself—it just predicts patterns.
Lesson: Writing helps you see not just what’s there, but what’s missing.
The Businesses That Get Writing Right
Companies that invest in human-driven writing stand out.
Basecamp – Their blog is full of strong opinions and personality. AI wouldn’t write like that.
Patagonia – Their content isn’t just about selling—it tells stories about environmental activism.
Apple – They don’t just list product specs—they sell a vision.
Example: Imagine you run a restaurant. AI might generate this generic copy:
“We use fresh ingredients for every dish.”
Now, a human might write:
“Our grandmother’s marinara sauce has been a family tradition for over 50 years, slow-simmered just like she made it in her tiny Brooklyn kitchen.”
Lesson: AI-generated writing often sounds fine but feels empty.
AI is a Writing Assistant, Not a Replacement
AI isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool. But it should be used responsibly.
Use AI for brainstorming and organizing ideas.
Use AI to summarize research.
But always add your own insights, stories, and originality.
In The Art and Business of Online Writing (Affiliate Link), Nicolas Cole explains that great content isn’t just written—it’s rewritten, refined, and tested.
Lesson: AI can help with writing, but it can’t replace the human touch.
Final Thoughts: Writing is Thinking—AI Can’t Replace That
Your notes, reflections, and revisions make writing powerful. AI can help, but it can’t connect ideas in a meaningful way.
That’s why businesses that invest in human-driven writing—like Basecamp, Patagonia, and Apple—stand out.
Want to improve your writing?
• Writing to Learn (Affiliate Link)
• Tiny Experiments (Affiliate Link)
• The Art and Business of Online Writing (Affiliate Link)