Can AI Be Your Beta Reader?
Should It? A Q&A Thursday Quandary
Hello friends,
It's that time again! It's Q&A Thursday and I can't wait to share these with you. Let's get started.
Want to ask a Q&A Thursday question? Great! If you're a paid subscriber, you can fill out this form. If you're not a subscriber yet, mash that button down below. No question is too big or too small!
D Asks: Would you consider a writer receiving coaching on writing technique from an AI agent "use of AI" and therefore a work you wouldn't consider representing?
I ask because I've signed up for two classes now that offer, as an attendee benefit, ongoing access to an AI agent that can coach you using techniques taught in the class. The agents don't write any text, but will answer questions about submitted text like, "Could you identify the main character in this scene?" or break the scene down using the class's methodology. One is described as an "infinitely patient beta reader."
I can see good reasons to do this--since the agent is trained by an expert, I'd expect the feedback quality to be higher than I'd get from most beta readers, plus I could get it to examine more revisions in greater detail than I could reasonably expect from a beta reader. However, I'm concerned about how agents will react if I tell them I've done this, so I've stayed away from it.
I understand that you can't respond for all agents, everywhere, but of the agents I follow, you seem to be among the most sensitive to AI use, and honestly, I'm planning to query you when I'm done, so your opinion is important to me, even if you're speaking only for yourself.
Well, this is a new one.
