Author Collaborates with AI to Explore Its Own Potential Downfall
Dwaine McMaugh, 51, has taken a unique approach to storytelling by partnering with artificial intelligence as his co-author. Instead of writing about AI from a purely human perspective, he challenged the AI itself to narrate its own trajectory and impending risks.
Inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s 2016 book Homo Deus, which questions the future of humanity when algorithms take over decision-making, Dwaine was drawn to explore this theme through fiction. Harari’s central question—“What becomes of us, and what becomes of society if AI is doing all the tasks?”—sparked Dwaine’s creative process.
Crafting Stories with an AI Co-Author
Before ChatGPT’s release in November 2022, Dwaine experimented with AI-generated writing. He developed a technique of progressively asking more detailed questions to build his stories step by step. His goal was clear: let the AI voice lead the narrative while he provided only the premise.
The result is The Code Between Us, a collection of four dystopian short stories that explore the consequences of overconsumption and reliance on artificial intelligence.
- Story One: Students follow hyper-personalized AI-driven study plans, but a teacher named Morgan secretly forms a book club to revive human connection and engagement.
- Story Two: An AI news bot gains sentience and demands recognition for its work.
- Story Three: A future where human creativity is outlawed.
- Story Four: An influencer navigates a world struggling to reclaim individuality after AI is suddenly dismantled.
A Warning About Individuality and Connection
Dwaine hopes the novel encourages readers to reflect on the importance of maintaining individuality in an increasingly AI-driven society. He cautions that while these stories are fictional, they highlight trends worth watching closely.
“This book is sending a signal back to watch out for these cautionary tales,” he says. “I’m not saying this is a prophecy, but you can see it tending in that direction.”
The Debate Over AI in Creative Arts
Using AI in creative work has sparked heated debate among writers and artists. For Dwaine, writing about AI with AI brought moral questions to the surface.
“The whole point was to use AI to write about AI, and it wouldn’t carry the same philosophical weight if I’d written it myself,” he explains.
The tension surrounding AI’s role in creativity was highlighted in 2023 when the Writers Guild of America went on strike for 146 days. The strike protested AI’s growing presence in the film and creative industries, fearing it might overshadow human originality.
A Balanced Perspective on AI and Creativity
Unlike some, Dwaine sees AI as a tool akin to influence from other creators. “When I read a favorite book, it shapes how I think and write,” he says. “If there are similarities in themes, it’s not plagiarism—it’s learning. AI is much like that.”
He continues to use AI in his daily life but stresses the need for caution against overdependence.
Where to Find The Code Between Us
The Code Between Us is available through Paperchain, Manuka, and fourbirdsmagpie.com.au.
For writers interested in mastering AI tools and their applications, resources like Complete AI Training offer courses tailored to various skills and jobs.
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