Help Me Write is a new ai writing tool that Google recently started rolling out to select users. It is fully integrated into Google Docs and powered by Google’s Duet ai platform.
I got access to Help Me Write a few months ago and have been experimenting with it ever since. Help me write works in the same way as existing tools like ChatGPT either Bardbut in my opinion he is not as skilled a writer as ChatGPT.
That said, the seamless integration of Help me write into one of the most popular writing platforms marks a new step in the evolution of ai. Here’s everything educators need to know about Help Me Write and Google Docs.
What is Help me write?
Help Me Write is an ai writing assistant that is currently available to some Google Docs users. The tool is powered by Duet ai, Google’s new artificial intelligence assistant that works across the entire Google workspace and is also integrated into Gmail, Sheets, and Slides.
Help Me Write allows Google Doc users with access to click a pen-shaped icon on the left of the screen and generate story outlines, templates, and more. If you like what is generated, select it and the text will appear inside your document. You can also discard or revise the text that was generated by asking Help me write so that the language is more or less formal, longer or shorter.
You can also ask Help Me Write to format any generated text in list or bullet form.
Who has access to help me write?
Currently, Help Me Write is only available to those who have ai” target=”_blank” data-url=”https://cloud.google.com/duet-ai” data-hl-processed=”hawklinks” data-placeholder-url=”https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/100134086/type/dlg/sid/hawk-custom-tracking/https://cloud.google.com/duet-ai” rel=”sponsored noopener” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” data-google-interstitial=”false” data-merchant-name=”cloud.google.com” data-merchant-id=”273538″ data-merchant-url=”cloud.google.com” data-merchant-network=”CJ”>signed up to access Google Workspace Labs or companies that pay a fee of $30 per month per user. The feature is only available in English and only in select countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, but not Canada.
Signing up for the free version on a personal account is easy. After filling out a short form with my name and email, I was granted access a few days after my request.
What are the implications of Help Me Write for teachers?
Help Me Write and Duet ai has many of the same benefits and drawbacks of other ai tools that educators are no doubt already familiar with. It can quickly generate human-like writing that tends toward the generic. Still, it’s easy to see the potential it would have to help students and educators with brainstorming and outlining.
What sets Help me write apart from more popular ai tools is that it is built into a word processor that many students and educators are already using, making it easy to use for ethical educational purposes as well as for cheating.
While it’s unclear if the tool will eventually roll out to all Gooogle Doc users, if it is, its widespread availability will be yet another reason why teachers should rework their writing prompts to make them ai-proof and engage in open discussions with students on ethical issues. use of technology.
Conclusion: What impact will it have?
Help Me Write is just another ai tool among many today, so it’s not exactly a game-changer. That said, its automatic integration into Google Docs could bring this ai to educators and students who might not otherwise take the time to search for an ai tool. Of course, this could have both good and bad implications.
I personally didn’t find it very useful simply as a writing tool, although it could certainly generate some basic responses to writing prompts that a student might be tempted to use. Potentially more disruptive, however, are Duet ai‘s integrations with other Google tools, including Gmail, Sheets, and Slides. It can help compose emails, provide spreadsheet templates, and even generate images for slideshows, all with a few clicks.
Still, there are limitations. I wrote to him and asked, “I’m writing a story on Google’s Help Me Write. You can write it?”
The answer: “We are still learning and we can’t help with that. Please try another request.”
The bad news is that I had to do my job and write this story. The good news is that my work is safe from machines. For now.
