Revisiting AI Poetry - Tom Woody's Blog

Last year I wrote a blog titled: AI Poetry, Much Ado About Nothing. In the blog I argued that fretting over who may be using AI to write or enhance their poetry was a waste of time. Who cares? However, upon further reflection I'm beginning to understand why some consider it to be disheartening. Don't get me wrong, I'll never lose any sleep worrying about who may or may not be using (abusing?) it. But consider this: On PS contests are an important part of the experience for many. Personally speaking, I'm not much for peer sponsored contests, even my own. That's another blog for another day. If you are using AI to your advantage and winning or placing in contests, is that really fair to those who work hard to produce genuine poetry from their hearts? It has also been discovered that some may be plagiarizing poems from other poetry sites. This has been an issue that has been heatedly debated in the past as well. I found one of my poems posted by someone else on another site and it gave me pause for concern. How many others are undiscovered? In summary, poetry is an art, an expression that springs from deep inside an artist's mind and heart. In the end, it only has value if it is genuine and true. Something to consider. Have a great weekend! Tommy

Suzette Richards Date: 6/10/2024 5:57:00 AM As in the case of setting a PI to investigate an erring husband, one already has a gut feeling that something does not add up. Similar to using a syllable counter or spellchecker, I intend to use AI checkers to confirm or dispell my suspicions, not to police every poem posted here. Peace & love ... Login to Reply Suzette Richards Date: 6/12/2024 9:05:00 AM I feel that the issue of AI- generated poetry (partial or 100%) is the canary in the coal mine... Tom Woody Date: 6/10/2024 6:01:00 AM As I mentioned in a comment below I won't be wasting time checking for AI. Better things to do with my time but to each his/her own

Christina Bowring Date: 6/7/2024 8:19:00 AM Hello everybody. I just wanted to add a few comments regarding AI detecting. I wasn’t really aware of this before (naive I guess :) but I have become curious so I too used the detector suggested by the site. I guess, in truth, only the poet knows exactly how the written work was created. With me, like most poets, my humble efforts are 100% me and boy, do I take a long time writing them putting all my heart and soul into it when my muse grabs me. So, with that in mind, I put in one of my more simple poems, ‘ When The Rain Fell’ and it came out 100% ai. I was horrified and dismayed!! I knew that wasn’t true. So, I tried another site which came out less but still a suggestion. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/7/2024 1:07:00 PM I doubt the detectors too Christina and my view on using them is in my comment below Christina Bowring Date: 6/7/2024 8:24:00 AM Most of my poems came out 100% human as they should but another one or two had other suggestions. So, I’m now doubting these detectors and find it worrying. I’m thinking proceed with caution when using such programmes. Great blog though Tommy xx

Indiana Shaw Date: 6/6/2024 5:23:00 AM I use AI to enhance my poetry, which I would like to state, is all written by myself, AI is used to give my poems a musical background, along with AI vocals . . . I would not enter a contest using AI in any way, as I totally agree with you in that aspect . . . Remember, it also works the other way around, there are those who cannot produce music, and do not like the sound of their own voice . . . Also I hear no objection to AI art work being used to give anyone pictures to enhance their poem, and is that not also the same thing . . . And, are we not being a little old fashioned here, is a singer who gets another to write the music to their own song any different, I wonder . . . Login to Reply Arlo Parker Date: 6/6/2024 7:05:00 AM Using photography gives context and texture to a poetic expression. This technique is supplemental as visual representation of the poet’s vision/voice. Strictly speaking, I offer respectful discourse that this technique does not reflect AI components nor “author’s” intent. Not essential to the final product. Tom Woody Date: 6/6/2024 6:17:00 AM Pretense is pretense, deception is deception. I respectfully disagree Indiana Shaw Date: 6/6/2024 5:33:00 AM Plagiarism, and using AI are two different subjects and should have been separated in your issue . . . Tom Woody Date: 6/6/2024 5:29:00 AM Singers who sing a song penned by someone else do not pretend to claim it as their own creation. I think you're missing the point. The problem here is using AI to create a poem then hiding the fact and offering it up as your own. It's deceptive and sneaky. Plagiarism? Even worse

Constance La France Date: 6/5/2024 7:11:00 AM Tom, I see you are doing a contest about AI, I think that is a great idea so poets can express their feelings about it in a poetic way, I may give it a whirl, place or not it would be wonderful to have a say about AI! Hugs Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/5/2024 7:17:00 AM Kewl

Hilo Poet Date: 6/4/2024 10:05:00 PM "To err is human, to forgive divine," in quotes to supplicate the faithless--heralds from the papacy of the Christian faith. The secular POV is that we all make mistakes, and be the greater not the lessor, --off w/the old and take on divinity side of forgiveness--for the guilt of sin is already beyond measure. A noticeable negativity of the ills that AI has imposed on RECENT ONGOING CONTEST, I believe entries are at Tortoises speeds, William Login to Reply Hilo Poet Date: 6/5/2024 1:16:00 PM Yes Woody, tortoise won at its pace, the hare's pace was of no account in Aesop's attribute of vanity--such applies here, as overseers of poetry websites, like poetrysoup, has stifled the apparent many A.I. users who found the backdoor--closed. My contest closed and now I will ascertain the A.I.-free creeps that crept into my soup bowl and pick the best 10 creepers, Aloha, Willie--King Creep Tom Woody Date: 6/5/2024 5:57:00 AM Ahhh but don't forget Willie, the tortoise beat the hare. Patience, patience

Unseeking Seeker Date: 6/3/2024 8:21:00 PM True, plagiarism or use of AI lessens the poet who resorts to such practices. Such a matter has been brought to my attention recently. Whilst it is no doubt unacceptable, we can at the same time use the opportunity to refine our consciousness by understanding and compassion. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/hmmm_1650553 Login to Reply Arlo Parker Date: 6/4/2024 8:25:00 PM Indeed, every human condition requires kindness of attention if not acquiescence to agreement. Take good care, Gentleman. :o) Unseeking Seeker Date: 6/4/2024 7:12:00 PM As I said, there is no excuse for plagiarism but I look at it as a human weakness, perhaps a mental condition, to be steered with kindness rather than hanging the culprit. Craig Cornish Date: 6/4/2024 11:34:00 AM Standards!!?? Generous!!?? The deal here IS to go "seek" your own peace in your own space, not while being generous with everyone else's art. Unseeking is the perfect name for your thoughts. Arlo Parker Date: 6/4/2024 11:16:00 AM Just a reflection: plagiarism is a theft of a piece of soul. Unseeking Seeker Date: 6/4/2024 9:31:00 AM Yes, I concede I am more generous to a fault as compared to most, a flaw I’m at peace with. If we see people with standards lower than our own, we must recognise we too once stood where they are today. Yet, as you said, each to his own. Tom Woody Date: 6/4/2024 5:03:00 AM If you wish to have compassion for a fraud or a thief I suppose that's your business. I think it would be easier to do so for those who would come clean and promise to never do it again.

Indiana Shaw Date: 6/3/2024 7:47:00 PM I write my own poetry, it is and always is my own words, and I stick to poetic forms where needed, but I used AI to create the music and the vocals, and I in the wrong here, advice, please . . . Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/6/2024 8:45:00 AM Mary Rogers Indiana Shaw Date: 6/6/2024 5:38:00 AM I look forward to reading and listening to one of your works, Tom . . . Tom Woody Date: 6/4/2024 5:05:00 AM I don't think anyone would condemn you for attempting to add window dressing to your original creations. I use music and dramatic voice readings sometimes to my enhance my writes

Arlo Parker Date: 6/3/2024 10:55:00 AM No dog in this fight. AI for poetic expression seems anathema. How does one plagiarize an AI poem? Original creativity hard enough. Why/how does "cheating" satisfy? Login to Reply Arlo Parker Date: 6/4/2024 11:13:00 AM Opinion: AI has virtually no part in poetic arts. I can see applications elsewhere, of course. But our domain is Poetry. Speaks Volumes Date: 6/4/2024 4:05:00 AM I can imagine a few reasons, I was upset about it, Now I see reasons beyond poetry and feel that we must find the reasons before becoming judge and jury on this one. The theft is substantiated, Its almost a given that. there will be mitigating circumstances come to light. If its a crave of attention, we must stop giving attention. Tom Woody Date: 6/3/2024 2:44:00 PM Some crave attention. It's not just poetry. I'm thinking Milli Vanilli right now

Crystol Woods Date: 6/3/2024 9:10:00 AM Huh...I didn't even know that was possible! I've seen people add that in the rules on contests, "no AI", but I didn't realize what that meant. Is it some kind of app you have to load? Never mind don't tell me lol. To me the purpose of writing is to express yourself... not an AI. Where is the glow of accomplishment and pride when your poem is not your own? Writing isn't about winning approval from others, it's about relating to them, connecting to each other on a different level. That cannot occur if you aren't the one expressing yourself. Nice work bringing this up Tom! Xo Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/3/2024 9:26:00 AM Sadly, some folks are addicted to the accolades, even when it's not deserved

Craig Cornish Date: 6/3/2024 8:00:00 AM Just a note to "plagiarists", how ironic would it be if you wrote a poem on another site under an alias and was thereafter accused of plagiarizing your own poem - guess that's what ya get for clandestine galivanting! ? Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 6/4/2024 12:42:00 PM Craigsz, i learned a new word gallivanting. Thank you. Silent one; you do use “ silent one as your signature on instagram too. So many do know you as silent one altho your username is different. DD; still shocked! Speechless Tomsz; hahahh kaching Tom Woody Date: 6/4/2024 12:36:00 PM At least he can't sue. Dad humor for the day. Ka-ching! Tom Woody Date: 6/3/2024 2:02:00 PM True Craig Cornish Date: 6/3/2024 9:50:00 AM Ahha - but we know from experience that false accusations often live their own lives - sadly! Tom Woody Date: 6/3/2024 9:28:00 AM Ha! Glad you came Craig, though I see no issues with using a different alias on various accounts. An accusation is only valid if it's true Silent One Date: 6/3/2024 9:07:00 AM Yeah, I have a different name on Insta.. and i have some of those poems posted on here.. so would not surprise me... or vice verse I guess..

Speaks Volumes Date: 6/2/2024 7:28:00 PM Its hard to refute plagiarism if the poem you have stolen was written and published 100 years ago. I have seen such a poem as this in a Soup member's poems. That surely is a tell tale of plagiarism? I mean, what poet would think it would be possible to have written both? Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/3/2024 7:17:00 PM Good to know!! Speaks Volumes Date: 6/3/2024 1:00:00 PM The Ai I saw was referring to scars and wounds. Ongoing familiar sounds. I am sure the artificial brain had no intention of it meaning the past tense of wind (as in winding a clock). All in the surrounding context, which I failed to mention. Your point well taken my friend. Craig Cornish Date: 6/3/2024 7:43:00 AM Excellent point Andrea, and that opens up a whole new can of crawly things - some of the clueless go to rhyme zone and think because a "rhyming" word is listed that it's legit, but they aren't adept enough to know that it only rhymes in a certain context - as you have alluded. Rhymezone will give you the context if you click on it but AI generated writing may not be that sophisticated yet. Bottom line is that the "everybody SHOULD get a trophy" crowd has no bounds. Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/2/2024 8:16:00 PM It is possible to rhyme sound and wound if wound is the past tense of wind. Like to wind a clock. I wonder if AI distinguishes word context along with rhyme. I tried it once from a student's perspective on one of their essays and gave a specific command such as " show me where commas are used incorrectly". If you give specific enough commands it can be useful, but I still hate that it was ever invented. Bad things are going to come of it.

John Lawless Date: 6/2/2024 7:16:00 AM ...well Tom, there you go again painting me (...wait maybe i can become a painter...er...ah...artist..or perhaps...I mean...MUST REBOOT...BUST ME BOOT...someone call I T for A I...DAMMIT TOM....LEAVE ME BE Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 6/4/2024 5:19:00 AM Romulan sanskrit. Tom Woody Date: 6/4/2024 5:08:00 AM Kapla! Oh wait, is that Klingon? Keith D Trestrail Date: 6/4/2024 3:03:00 AM I thought it was Vulcan. Craig Cornish Date: 6/3/2024 8:32:00 AM It's actually Japanese Sir John LOL John Lawless Date: 6/3/2024 5:56:00 AM alas Tom, all the latin that was beaten into me escaped upon my release Tom Woody Date: 6/2/2024 10:42:00 AM Domo arigato Mr. Lawless

Speaks Volumes Date: 6/1/2024 11:02:00 PM A few months ago I decided to look at what all this AI hype was ( my son had to tell me what Ai stood for - Oh I said you mean you can Alexis to write a poem for you ? ) He brought up a site to show me. I had the choice of writing like Keats- Shelly Wordsworth -others. I tried a few, and I was horrified. An 8 year old could have written better. Why the heck would anyone want to use Ai ? No feeling- just an empty chain of rhyming words. I agree, if someone wants to use it, just insist they make a notation that its being used just as we note a copied quotation. I see Andrea's point with kids, but calculators are used during exams now. Once upon a time that would have been thought terrible. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/2/2024 5:10:00 PM My students are adult students where English is not their native tongue, so we have been instructed in the proper way to permit them to use it by having them specifically look for punctuation mistakes, etc. They should never ask AI to just do the essay for them. Some were doing that, so we needed to teach rules about it. Tom Woody Date: 6/2/2024 5:37:00 AM The world keeps a changin'

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/1/2024 10:05:00 PM In teaching ESL I now have to worry about my students using AI, so they want teachers at my school to use AI checkers and use my best judgement. Not all AI checkers are the same. To be super careful you would have to use 3 checkers and your own evaluation knowing what you know already of the individual students. This is a big fat pain in a teacher's behind. It makes me not want to sponsor contests either. I think AI is ok for checking one's grammar or asking it to edit for punctuation mistakes. Plagiarism is another story. Google titles of your best works. You may be surprised how many are claiming your words as theirs. Plagiarizers need to be called out. It's not fair to us authentic poets. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/2/2024 5:06:00 PM Well for students AI has it's purpose. I would hope poets would have no need of it. Tom Woody Date: 6/2/2024 1:15:00 PM I just confirmed with my own two eyes that one of our most prolific and beloved poets is plagiarizing. I honestly can't believe it but the poem has been reported to admin. So sad Tom Woody Date: 6/2/2024 5:39:00 AM I agree that limited use of AI like Grammarly or similar is acceptable. Using it to create your poetry, not so much. I want my expressions to be my own Ink Empress Date: 6/1/2024 10:47:00 PM Sweet andrea, I agree about using ai for spell check or grammar check . Altho i doubt ai can understand my poetry for grammar check hahah. Anyhow! I agree with dilly dallys comment below! It is an insult to the one judging contests and also rest, what plagiarists are doing, so fearlessly posting someone elses work on soup and claiming its their own work: is absolutely not right. And makes me so sad and sick . All because they want fake accolades for fake work posted: As for ai detectors, no they are not accurate but you can tell by looking at a poem if its ai o not: ai uses same old rhymes and metered emotionless bla bla. So we pick up and can tell. Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/1/2024 10:44:00 PM Yes Dilly Dally. It is senseless

Eileen Manassian Date: 6/1/2024 9:44:00 PM I don't think we should take use of AI in poetry lightly because it invalidates us as poets. This is especially true in contests where originality is of paramount importance. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/2/2024 5:41:00 AM I think most are in agreement Eileen. I don't think those using AI are likely to comment on this blog. It would be interesting to hear the justifications and rationalizations

Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:18:00 PM I think Gary brought up an excellent point and I wanted to isolate it here. Using AI is not a crime, nor is it necessarily frowned upon by everyone. Hence, if you are using it now or will in the future why not just make a notation at the end of your poem? This keeps things honest. Of course, if using any type of AI is against site rules, it's moot. My guess is the type of person using it is unlikely to fess up bc they enjoy the accolades they are receiving. Sad conundrum Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:29:00 PM Let me add that the worst thing we could do as a community is give in to paranoia and constantly AI check other poets' poems. Instead, let this blog and the comments as well as our own consciences be our guide toward scrutinizing our OWN work and motives

Constance La France Date: 6/1/2024 12:57:00 PM Tom, a good blog. I agree with what you have shared, except the part about the contests, lets not have a debate about that please. Have been checking poems entered in my contest so far and have found none. Turned out one poem in my last which I placed was AI, that made me sad. Have a nice day . Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:11:00 PM Thanks for input Constance

Arlo Parker Date: 6/1/2024 12:56:00 PM In poetry, what part of "artificial" is misunderstood. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:11:00 PM Exactly

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 6/1/2024 12:18:00 PM AI will never replicate or replace the human heart and soul, though the powers that be would like it to, but no poet worth their salt would use it anyway..plagiarism is more concerning, and one reason why i don't like posting too many poems online; i came across a woman who had used my rape poem on her website and passed it off as her own work..not a lot you can do about it really Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:12:00 PM Some folks just need a life. Walmart has them on sale for $19.99 Kim Rodrigues Date: 6/1/2024 1:26:00 PM It is hard to understand why people dosuch things. They want fame for what? It is not theirs. Some must be sick!

Gary Radice Date: 6/1/2024 11:54:00 AM When submitting a poem for publishing here the rules clearly state “AI generated poetry is not allowed”. I’m just unsure how you 100% recognise it being used in the first place to call people out. Perhaps one day there will be an app that can identify such. Is there one now? I suppose I’d be a little happier if anyone using it just honestly admits to doing so in their notes or better still just keep examples of AI to blogs well away from the poem pages. Using AI and not admitting it benefits no true poet and has no place here. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Silent One Date: 6/2/2024 9:14:00 AM PS sent an e-mail suggesting an AI generator to check if the poem is AI... You have to use 3 or 4 for them to be accurate... also its only when the AI percentage is very high that the poem is AI.. I've found some poets on here to have poems that are 100% AI... Now that is not just AI, but also plagiarism.. These have been in contests, which makes it even worse.. Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/1/2024 10:11:00 PM I know a trustworthy poet who said an AI checker said his poem was Ai when it was not, so unless a person's work is consistently showing a large chance that it uses AI, I guess there is not much we can do except pity these people lacking self worth as authentic poets. Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:14:00 PM Yes Gary there are several AI checkers you can Google. I think the bigger question is: how accurate are they?

Silent One Date: 6/1/2024 7:13:00 AM I remember when I was told about a guy sending my poems to his girlfriend, claiming her wrote them.. She contacted me to inform me.. Then I found a guy who would copy every singe poem I wrote and claim to be the silent one... Lol... I've also been asked about the poetic gardener and both of us having the same poems.. but as you know, that is my Insta account.. Anyway, I have no Idea why someone would use AI to post a poem that is 100% not human.. What is the point? I've also found people doing that in my contests.. Recently, I found out a poet on here, had copied one of ink Empress's poems from Insta... and some are using poems from other sites to enter contests... I'm in disbelief over it Login to Reply Silent One Date: 6/1/2024 7:42:00 AM Not sure if it is jealousy and envy. I find it funny when people copy my poems and guess it's nice for them to impress others... I don't understand why someone would enter a contest with a poem that is not their own.. why would you want to win something that is not original? To climb up the rankings? Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 7:19:00 AM Some of it has to do with jealousy and envy. You're a talented poet who gets alot of attention that others wish they had. It's not an excuse, just one possible explanation for plagiarism. On the other hand, some folks just like to steal and have no guilt or shame. Regarding AI, there's a reason the first word is "artificial."

Ink Empress Date: 6/1/2024 7:08:00 AM I appreciate this blog and also agree with what youv said. In everything in life, intentions matter, theres no need to impress, and its always important to remain sincere. When we steal from a poet, we are not just stealing their words, but also their soul and heart on digital canvas. Its not right. And very disheartening to read about. I love poetry soup, but i hope this place will remain a place of authentic poets, sharing their poetic skills while also remaining kind! Thank you so much Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 4:20:00 PM Sorry Dilly, I thought your initial comment was about AI, not plagiarism, which is a whole nudda animal Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 11:28:00 AM At first blush Dilly's comment may appear rude but she has a point, ie, if you know (for sure) stop the support. On the other hand, how accurate are these AI checkers? From what I've read not very. My opinion? Just write and comment and don't over worry about it Ink Empress Date: 6/1/2024 8:31:00 AM Words are recycled yes but to steal a complete poem, word to word is not recycling its plagiarism. . Silent One Date: 6/1/2024 8:28:00 AM You are right...I mean words are recycled anyway.. Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 7:20:00 AM It likely will NOT be plagiarism or AI free dear Ink. But don't let the bad players and haters discourage you. Many genuine poets here

Keith D Trestrail Date: 6/1/2024 6:47:00 AM AI is amateur hour. Oh wait, no that would be AH. I give up. The AI that I loathe is anti-intellectualism. It is destroying western civilisation as we know it. This was fun. Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 6/1/2024 6:57:00 AM For a good time call Tommy. Got it! Tom Woody Date: 6/1/2024 6:48:00 AM I'm all about a good time