AI is powerful. In fact, it's almost irresistible. Writers are not only tempted to use it to avoid the hard work that writing always is, but even once venerable media companies are putting pressure on writers to use these tools to unlock "efficiency."

Intrepid Times took a stand against this trend, but this certification course isn't just about getting published here; it's about succeeding everywhere. So what should you know?

• First, understand the value that you actually bring as a writer. If you are simply shuffling information from one database and explaining it in an article, then AI could well play a valid role. But as a travel writer, you interpret your experiences. You bring your perspective. And you form a relationship with the reader through your voice. AI can't do that for you.
• Second, know that editors can always tell when AI is used in an article or a pitch. You may think your snappy pitch sounds polished and original. You may think that a simile or a metaphor really brings your point home. But believe us, we will say that exact same phrase - or something very close to it - ten times this week in our inbox.

AI can play a valid role in:

• Researching, helping you organize your thoughts, gather information, and arrange material for you to use as a reference point
• Critiquing: Providing an opinion on your work, which may or may not be helpful to you when you review a draft. Important: This does not mean editing. AI is providing an opinion or suggestions, and you as a writer are manually implementing these changes using your own insight and judegement.
• Brainstorming; helping you ideate on titles, angles, and themes

AI should never be used for:

• Editing; it is sadly easy to tell when something has been edited by AI; the soul is stripped away, and your eerily correct prose sounds the same as every other AI pitch received that day
• Writing: At no point should you ever be copying and pasting from an AI chat window into something you want to eventually send to an editor.

Remember, you are asking an editor to hire you as a writer. If they wanted ChatGPT's opinion, voice, or perspective, they could prompt it themselves.

It should go without saying that certification will not be awarded to any writers found using AI-generated or edited material in their submissions.