Does AI have a place in Ceremony Writing????

AI …… does it have a place in Ceremony Writing ?

It certainly does NOT for me and here is why!! 

I was curious to know what the whole AI "thing" is about - I am a dinosaur and  knew it had its uses and benefits but could NOT see how it would fit my very personal role – so I decided to find out more ...and WOW I am glad I did.

Welcome to my little “argument” with the AI responses 😊

 ….OK – so I feel so much better for getting these OFF my chest ! 😊

You will see my “feelings” in brackets at the end of each paragraph! The text in ITALICS was generated by AI for the benefit of researching the topic 😊😊😊

Have a read, because these are the very reasons … I won’t be EMBRACING AI when writing your ceremonies....despite the fact as I am writing this the little STAR icon is desperately trying to work out what it WANTS me to type 😊! 

So here is what AI says about why I should want to EMBRACE this technology in my Ceremony Writing.....

In today's fast-paced world, the integration of technology in our daily lives is not just unavoidable; it can also be incredibly enriching. As a writer and celebrant, artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance my creative activities and the ceremonial experiences I help craft. With the right tools, I can streamline my work and foster deeper connections with the individuals I serve.AI is not merely about automating tasks; it offers a chance to elevate all forms of creativity. In this post,

 [ My creativity in "crafting" your ceremony comes from face-to-face conversations, listening to YOU, learning from your body language, your emotional connections. I do not need to "streamline" any of what I do - it is all unique and flows naturally - I don't want to work faster/smarter - I work holistically and with my own creativity, creating each part of the work I do for people - not "individuals"]

Enhancing the Writing Process

The blank page can often seem daunting. However, AI tools have liberated creative blocks that can occur during the writing process. For instance, AI writing assistants powered by natural language processing allows brainstorming of ideas, generating outlines, and even compose sections of work. It’s like having a collaborative partner available anytime you need one.

 [ I can honestly say I always have and always will start with a blank page – rarely has it felt daunting in the sense of I don’t know what to write …. If anything it is daunting trying to “hold back” from what flows from MY MIND through my fingers – all generated from the conversations we have at our meetings and when I start typing your ceremony – it is always with a blank desktop screen…NEVER a TEMPLATE !! I don't feel any of what has been written by AI on this post – demonstrates something that is going to come across as "natural language" and it won't be used to "compose sections of my work" ! I work exclusively and personally with you – you are my collaborative partner.] 😊

For example, using AI-assisted brainstorming, it can generate up to 20 new ideas in mere minutes, which significantly enhances productivity. Additionally, these tools offer instant feedback that improves clarity and coherence, helping focus on engagement, emotion, and authenticity—core elements of storytelling.

 [ Core elements of my story telling are generated from our conversations, the real-life experiences and your journey]

So will AI influence celebrant ceremonies - of course it will!

 It is out there in everything we read/see and do and that will ultimately filter through and therefore change the way people begin to think about what they want to hear and read.  As a Celebrant we all work differently, and I can well imagine that there will be some who feel that using AI tools to suggest relevant themes based on family preferences shared during discussions is acceptable. 

AI suggests that; For weddings, it might highlight options for including specific cultural traditions that matter deeply to the couple, while for funerals, it could suggest rituals that can help celebrate a loved one’s life meaningfully. But that is what as your Celebrant I am already doing anyway - but using the knowledge and experience and empathy learned over many years perfecting my Celebrant skills.

But definitely I can see that for new starters/inexperienced Celebrants the temptation to use AI analysis to recommend personalized vows or incorporate special memorial practices to commemorate a life - might seem like the right thing to do for their learning/research.... each to his own. 😊

So how does AI suggest that we overcome its limitations in our role as a Celebrant Ceremony Writer and aid our creativity…?

Aiding Creativity and Overcoming Limitations

While AI offers numerous benefits, it's essential to understand its limitations. The creativity I bring as a writer and celebrant cannot be entirely replaced by algorithms. AI serves as a useful tool to supplement my skills but does not overshadow my intuition or experience.

 [ note the fact that there is no mention of "delivery" and "style" - now I am not an actor so I can only speak "from the heart" using my own words or poetry/readings that I have practised and have a meaningful connection and form part of the whole “feel” – and reflect the emotion of the ceremony. Which is for me the essence of "getting it right" . That can only come from that personal touch and in relaying the emotions/feelings and love back during the spoken word  - no algorithm can accurately equip you to do that!]

It goes on to add…..

One compelling advantage of AI is its ability to analyze trends. For example, I can gain insights into popular themes in recent ceremonies or writing styles that resonate with audiences. A study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 72% of people appreciated personalized experiences, so using data-driven insights works in my favor.

 [ OK so note hear the "language" and "direction" that this is going in...1 ☹.   The very heart of what a Celebrant does, is in keeping up to date with trends/ideas and experiencing them and working out what works emotionally and resonates with your families/couples - all that comes from "knowing and talking" not "broad brush strokes" plucked at random from worldwide trends and studies.  What I do is not a "corporate" analysis or overview - I write love stories and life stories from your heart - through mine - truly Creating Memories that last😊

So to test it again …how did AI translate the above paragraph.....?

However, the heart of my work lies in the personal connections I form. AI can provide recommendations, but it is my human touch—empathy, understanding, and authenticity—that transforms a regular ceremony into an unforgettable occasion.

 [ A "regular" ceremony - can someone explain what that is please???? 😊 

I can only imagine that this is meaning the ones that sadly we have all heard of; the “cut and paste”  ….the same beginnings and endings  with a few personal mentions in the middle of a "well-used" script !  - Maybe AI could actually be of benefit to these …if it finds its way to the (thankfully very few) Celebrants that get away with this type of "sloppy" practice.]

So, what does AI suggest a celebrant does to keep the "human element" in their ceremonies using AI tools?

Balancing Technology and Human Touch

The integration of AI tools prompts an important question: how do I balance technology with the human elements in my writing and ceremonial practices? The solution lies in mindful integration. [Crikey …. No words!]

Use AI to enhance strengths like refining texts or organizing logistics, all while keeping values and emotional intelligence at the forefront of each project. During ceremony preparations, engage fully with families, using AI insights to enrich your discussions without overshadowing their emotional narratives. [ Really !]

Striking this balance allows leverage of AI's strengths while preserving the authenticity that makes your work unique and meaningful. [You don't say!...can you see I am losing patience with this “tool” now 😊]  

So what does AI hold for The Future of Writing and Celebratory Practices

So as I reflect on my own personal little argument with AI – and boy do I feel better for it 😊… I do not see this technology as a vital evolution in how we create and celebrate.   I will not be incorporating AI into my writing and ceremonial "activities"  - EVER! :)

As I have said this is my personal opinion and I hope this BLOG has helped give an insight into the way I prefer to work.  Thank you as always for taking the time to read this – probably my longest post in a long time 😊

So in conclusion ….

AI is exactly what it says - ARTIFICIAL ! - The INTELLIGENCE has been gleaned from data gathering from "REAL PEOPLE" and "REAL WRITING" and tried to mimic that, not successfully for our type of work - in my humble opinion. And it won't ever replace the "heart and soul" that goes to create the uniquely personal work of a Celebrant and it saddens me to think that it can only "devalue" our contribution to those meaningful ceremonies, if accepted as the "norm"  ☹  OK RANT OVER 😊 back to my usual smiley self

Love

Lynne

X

P.S.  As I write and research this…. the Copilot and AI generator .....that I have turned OFF so many times – is still trying to retype or suggest its own version of MY WORDS and wants to rewrite the "researched " AI text incorporated in ITALICS above 😊 now that has made me laugh out loud 😊