Analog and AI: Embracing Both in the Writing Process

Music City Center 

AI is changing how we write, but it doesn't replace the creative, messy, and iterative process of storytelling, especially when working with data. Writing isn't just about getting words on a page; it's about exploration, structure, and finding meaning. AI can be a great brainstorming partner, helping students generate ideas, refine drafts, and push past writer's block, but it shouldn't do all the heavy lifting. Inspired by "Teaching with AI" (Bowen & Watson), I've been experimenting with ways to incorporate AI into the classroom while keeping students actively engaged in their own creative process. This talk will explore strategies for integrating AI in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, the essential thinking and storytelling that make data communication effective.