01 - Using artificial intelligence to help with writing

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022 has significantly expanded the possibilities for improving your writing in English. ChatGPT itself can help draft (i.e. write) and correct text, and its language quality is generally very good.

The latest versions of Microsoft Word also feature advanced text correctors and spell-checkers. Word can also translate full documents while retaining their original format.

The free version of Grammarly can help you avoid spelling mistakes and can be integrated into Word and other programmes to assist you as you write.

DeepL can be used to translate short texts for free, and now DeepL Write can also help correct your writing in real time, which is particularly useful for things like emails. However, to translate and edit longer texts, you will need access to DeepL Pro.

Be careful: None of these tools is 100% accurate: sometimes they "hallucinate" and write strange things; sometimes DeepL Write changes what you want to say. You must check the results carefully. If you need to produce a high-quality text for publication, it is highly recommended that you ask a professional translator or copy editor to review your work. Generally, this person should be a native speaker.