Pressing an AI button won’t write a novel that anyone wants to read.

On this episode, we look at using AI for writing – not as a shortcut, but as a thinking partner that helps you move from fuzzy concepts to sharp ideas without losing your voice.

Alongside author Amit Gupta and Google’s VP of Learning, Maureen Heymans, we map the line between helpful brainstorming and harmful outsourcing. Ultimately, we landed on a simple rule of thumb that parents and students can use today: Does AI enhance or displace your thinking?

As a published sci-fi author who created Sudowrite, Amit shows us what he does whenever he's stuck on a story. Essentially, he dumps everything into an AI (random thoughts, dialogue snippets, backstory, etc.) and then has a conversation with the chatbot to refine it. Not to write for him, but to help him work through his own creative blocks.
Maureen gave us the most practical advice: Write your first draft yourself. It can be messy and disorganized, but capture your authentic thinking first and then use AI to fine-tune how you express those ideas. For example, as someone who isn't a native English speaker, Maureen uses AI to make sure her ideas aren't misinterpreted – but she always starts with her own thinking.

Both guests emphasized that AI is a tool, not a replacement. The guiding principle is simple: Does this help you think more deeply, or is it doing your thinking for you? Get that question right, and AI can be an incredible partner in learning.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/