Who Wrote This?

In the winter of 2022, I found myself gradually losing confidence in my writing. The assignments kept piling up, and my mind was in a constant state of clutter. That’s when I stumbled upon ChatGPT. Just by typing a few lines, it could generate clear and polished sentences in seconds. At first, I found it convenient. But as time passed, a strange discomfort began to creep in. I started to wonder, “Did I really write this?”

Who Wrote This? is a book that tackles this very dilemma. The author, Naomi Baron, is a linguist based in the United States who has long studied how technology affects human communication. In this book, she explores how artificial intelligence is changing our writing abilities.

These days, we often rely on AI tools—autocomplete features, spellcheckers, and summarization tools all make writing faster and easier. However, Baron warns that this convenience may come at a cost. Our ability to think critically and revise our writing could slowly weaken. This is especially concerning in educational settings, where students using AI to write essays or reports might miss out on genuine learning experiences.

As someone working in public health, I write frequently for work. Initially, I used AI tools to save time. But later, I began to question, “Does this writing really reflect my thoughts? Or is it just a string of well-formed sentences?” Writing isn’t just about delivering information. It’s about expressing our struggles and judgments. In that sense, there are parts of the process that AI simply can’t replace.

The book also discusses how we can live alongside AI. While it’s fine to use AI as a writing aid, Baron insists that humans should make the important decisions. She argues that each of us needs to establish our own standards for writing. For instance, while AI might draft an email, it’s still up to us to review the content and tone. This isn’t just about how we use technology—it’s about preserving our dignity as human beings.

Some readers may find the book a bit dense, as it touches on linguistics, neuroscience, and other academic fields. Still, for anyone who wants to seriously reflect on writing in the age of AI, it’s a must-read. Teachers, researchers, and policymakers, in particular, will find valuable insights here.

Who Wrote This? doesn’t just ask whether AI can write well. Instead, it poses a deeper question: Why do we write in the first place? Through writing, we express ourselves, connect with others, and work toward a better world. This book prompts us to rediscover those essential values. In the end, writing is a uniquely human task. There’s no alternative. No machine can truly take our place.