What SiriGpt is And How To Use It
Oct 08 - 2023
How to Harness Google's Help Me Write Feature for Polite and Professional Emails
Introduction
Hey there! Have you ever struggled with writing polite emails? Well, worry no more because Google has come to the rescue! In this article, we'll dive into Google's latest feature called "Help Me Write" and explore how it can generate polite and professional emails for you. Say goodbye to the stress of finding the perfect closing phrase or struggling to sound professional – Google has got your back!
The Rise of Help Me Write
Google's annual event, Google I/O, has left me feeling a little concerned. As a journalist, my ability to craft words has always been my unique selling point. However, with the introduction of Help Me Write, it seems like this skill is becoming obsolete. This new feature utilizes Google's generative AI, building on the success of Smart Reply and Smart Compose from 2017. The result? A seemingly magical tool that can write emails for you!
Imagine this scenario: your flight gets canceled, and the airline offers you a voucher, but there's no mention of a refund. In the past, I would eagerly start typing away, carefully choosing my words on my MacBook Pro keyboard. But now, it seems my efforts are unnecessary. Google's Help Me Write feature can take over and compose the email for me. It's as simple as typing "ask for a refund for this canceled flight" in the text box, and Google does the rest. With just eight words, I'll receive an email masterpiece that even pulls in relevant information from previous conversations!
Refining Your Message
But what if Google's response doesn't quite hit the mark? Fear not! You can refine the response by selecting options like "formalize," "elaborate," "shorten," or even "I'm feeling lucky." This way, you can sound more polite or even express your anger, depending on the tone you want to convey. Grammarly, the popular writing assistant, may need to watch out because Google's Help Me Write feature has taken things to a whole new level!
Google's Focus on Creativity
During the Google I/O keynote, the company claimed that one of its main goals is to boost creativity and productivity. However, I can't help but feel that Help Me Write undermines the creative process. Why worry about finding the best closing phrase or the right level of formality when Google can do it for you? In a way, it feels like human creation and thought are becoming redundant.
Google's AI capabilities extend beyond email writing. They are now using AI to generate job ads, children's stories, haikus, and more. While this innovation is impressive, I can't shake the feeling that it's making things too easy. I actually enjoy flexing my writing muscles and believe that children and young people should learn interactive skills like written politeness rather than relying on auto-generated content.
The Potential Consequences
As Help Me Write rolls out with Google's Workspace updates, I personally choose not to rely heavily on this feature. However, I worry about the impact it may have on budding talent and the aptitude for writing in younger generations. I can't help but think back to my own teenage years, replying to part-time job advertisements and engaging in thoughtful conversations with my sister. If Help Me Write had been available back then, would we have simply used it without giving it a second thought?
Throughout my career, I have taken the time to carefully select my words, considering the phrasing, cadence, and prose that I put out into the world. This practice continues to shape my writing today. If I had relied on auto-generation for the past 20 years, I doubt I would be the writer I am today.
Conclusion
In the end, while Help Me Write may be a convenient tool, it raises important questions about the role of human creativity and the impact of relying on AI-generated content. While Google aims to boost productivity and creativity, it's crucial not to stifle the development of writing skills and the ability to craft personalized and thoughtful messages. So, the next time you sit down to write an email, consider taking the time to craft your own words. After all, there's something special about the personal touch that can't be replicated by a machine.