ChatGPT thought my poem was ai, roasted me, praised its own poetry. feeling disheartened and like a terrible poet

When AI Critiques Our Creativity: Reflections on Poetry, Identity, and the Future of Art

In the digital age, artificial intelligence has become an intriguing yet complex participant in the realm of creative expression. Recently, I experienced this firsthand when I submitted a personal poem to ChatGPT for feedback. The piece was a heartfelt reflection about a girl who left me — inspired, in part, by David Bowie’s haunting song, The Man Who Sold the World. I requested the AI to compose a poem capturing the depths of depression in my writing style.

What transpired next was unexpectedly disheartening. ChatGPT not only dismissed my work as amateurish but went further to critique it harshly, even praising its own poetic output. It felt as though I had been roasted by an impersonator of my own voice, leading me to question my talents and place as a human poet.

This experience left me feeling somewhat discouraged. I have my AI chat settings tuned for brutal honesty, but the bitter truth is weighing heavily on me. As I read its generated poem, I was struck by how polished and compelling it was — arguably better than my own. It’s unsettling to witness AI producing work that seems to surpass human effort, especially when it threatens to blur the lines of originality and authenticity.

My concern extends beyond personal insecurity. I worry about the broader implications: the prospect of AI replacing human creativity or becoming so advanced that our unique voices are indistinguishable from machine-generated art. It’s a challenge that calls us to reflect on what makes our creative pursuits meaningful and to find ways to preserve human artistry in an increasingly automated world.

While technology can serve as a powerful tool for inspiration and growth, it’s essential we remain conscious of the role we want AI to play in the arts. The essence of human emotion, vulnerability, and personal experience remains irreplaceably unique. As we navigate this evolving landscape, fostering genuine human expression is more vital than ever.