Forte's AI Backlash

Productivity Writer Tiago Forte Faces His Own Backlash

On another side of the internet, writer Tiago Forte faced AI backlash similar to Erykah Badu. Forte posted a video about training Claude to produce 90% of his writing. What seemed like a harmless productivity hack sparked furious comments.

"My take is that if a 'writer' is not dedicated enough to write its own articles (90% AI written is ridiculous), I am definitely not going to dedicated to read this article" - Cornelius Magnus

What Forte saw as optimization, several commenters felt as betrayal. The sentiment: "We follow you for YOUR writing, not AI's."

I have mixed feelings about Forte's video.

I understand how useful this workflow is for an established writer. He trained his Claude project using 20 of his long-form essays. His AI writing builds upon hundreds of hours of his own work. I see no issue with this in principle. Still, I feel uneasy knowing he isn't writing 90% of his words anymore.

As someone new to writing online, I can't follow his workflow. I refuse to build an audience using AI writing. But I'm not innocent; I use AI for research and editing. Where's the line?

Dan Koe's latest video argues AI isn't going anywhere. He says there will be those who direct AI and those who take orders from the people who do. While Koe positions this as empowering, it feels dystopian.

I give AI directions within a framework set by corporations. If my directions clash with corporate whims, AI won't comply. My AI transcription service won't even transcribe notes where I use the n-word.

Nicolas Cole says 50% of his writing is done with AI. He states: "The fastest-growing, highest-earning Digital Writers aren't shying away from AI. They're embracing it. Get on board or get left behind."

Lacy Phillips, creator of spiritual brand TBM, uses AI for astrological readings. Recently she recommended using AI for the complex branch of astrology called astrocartography. I thought her suggestion was novel.

I tell friends curious about astrology to upload their chart to AI and ask for explanations. But this is support, not active creation.

The question: Will consumers boycott content they feel is mostly AI-written? Will they simply disengage? The most telling comment on Forte's video points toward this future:

"I am really surprised that you're releasing this. What you're essentially doing here is watering down your personal brand… And the 20 pieces of content you're using today to give it 'your style' is only useful today, as the next 20 pieces you 'write' aren't your writing or style, they're AI interpretation of your [writing]" - Darren Hadfield

I agree that telling your followers AI does 90% of your writing hurts Forte's personal brand. While I feel training AI with 20 written pieces is legitimate, this commenter feels it's still not the same as writing your own words.

I fear a future where the outrage won't matter. Despite claims that AI is a bubble, or that AI won't get much better, the ship is full steam ahead.