The first time I dared use AI in my work, it was to help with a match report. I was on a tight deadline, tired, and my opening paragraph wasn’t working. I fed some notes into an AI tool, and surprisingly it suggested a headline and intro that actually clicked. It saved me time and got me unstuck – a relief when the clock was ticking.
But AI isn’t a magic wand. It can clean up clunky sentences and help cut down wordiness but it can’t chase sources, capture atmosphere or know when a story needs to shift direction. Those instinctive calls are still up to me.
What’s made AI especially useful is that it feels like a judgment-free editor. As a young freelance journalist, I don’t always have access to regular editorial support. Sharing an early draft with a real-life editor can feel exposing, especially when you’re still finding your voice. But ChatGPT doesn’t judge. It lets me experiment, refine awkward phrasing and build confidence before I hit send.
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