Why we feel guilty using ChatGPT (and how to overcome it)
The emotional and ethical dilemmas of using AI in creative and office work
Imagine this: You’ve got a deadline looming, and the words just aren’t flowing. So, you turn to ChatGPT, one of the most famous AI tools and the go-to AI chatbot for many people, for a little help. A few clicks, and voilà — a draft appears, like magic. But as you review it, there’s a nagging feeling of guilt. Have you taken a shortcut? Is it really your work?
At Hive, we’ve seen this scenario play out time and again. Sometimes it’s conversations with our employees, the content creators we work with, or private discussions with our partners in the cloud and computing industry, but the result is the same: many people use AI to speed up tasks and then feel terrible about doing it. What we get from these conversations is that AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular, but they also come with emotional and ethical baggage.
So, why do we feel guilty about using AI? In this article, we’ll dig into the reasons behind this guilt, explore the pros and cons of AI in content creation, and offer some strategies for using these tools responsibly.
Why does using AI make us feel guilty?
The guilt around AI tools is more common than you might think, and it stems from several key concerns.
1. Fear of cheating or taking shortcuts
For many, using AI to assist with tasks feels like cheating. Especially writing has always been seen as a creative, intellectual process — one that requires thought, effort, and originality. When an AI generates content in a matter of seconds, it can feel like you’ve bypassed that essential part of the process.
At Hive, we’ve had employees express concerns about this multiple times. It’s easy to wonder: Am I still doing the work, or is the machine doing it for me?
2. Losing creativity and originality
Creativity is personal. When we create, be that an email or the next great American novel, we are expressing our unique voice and perspective. But AI, by design, mimics patterns it’s learned from vast amounts of data. This raises concerns about originality. If you use AI for too much of your work, does that dilute your personal contribution?
People often worry that relying on AI too much will stunt their creative growth. They fear that if the tool is always available to do the heavy lifting, their own skill muscles will weaken.
3. Worries about being caught or judged
There’s also the fear of being judged or even caught. Many users feel that admitting they used AI could lead to negative consequences. Students, for instance, might worry about academic dishonesty. Professionals, like content creators or copywriters, may fear their work will be devalued if others know AI was involved. At work, employees may worry that using AI could make them appear incompetent or lazy. These concerns about judgment and consequences can lead to reluctance in embracing AI for fear of repercussions.
4. Ethical considerations and authenticity issues
There are also ethical questions around the use of AI in creative work. If an AI writes most of your content, who owns it? Do you need to disclose its involvement? Should you always be transparent about when AI tools are used?
These concerns are real, especially in industries like journalism, academia, and marketing, where originality and trust are essential. We hear these discussions frequently within Hive’s teams as we explore the boundaries of AI usage in helping with everyday tasks and assisting in content creation.
The prevalence of AI guilt
This guilt is not just theoretical. Many professionals across industries feel conflicted about using AI tools. For instance, a Hive employee in our content team recently shared how they struggled with using AI for initial drafts. While it saved hours, they couldn’t shake the feeling that the finished product wasn’t “theirs.”
This type of AI guilt isn’t unique to our company. A study on AI adoption showed that over 50% of marketers are now using AI in some form, but many are concerned about its long-term impact on creativity and authenticity. Similarly, professors report a growing use of AI in student assignments, and while it offers convenience, it also raises concerns about academic integrity.
These examples show how deeply the conflict around AI runs across different fields, including our own cloud and computing industry.
The psychology of AI guilt
Why does AI guilt resonate with so many? A lot of it comes down to our relationship with technology and effort. There’s a sense of pride that comes with hard work, especially in creative tasks like writing. When an AI produces content so quickly, it feels like we’re taking a shortcut, even if that’s not entirely true.
This guilt is also linked to cognitive dissonance — the psychological tension that arises when we hold two conflicting beliefs. On the one hand, we value creativity, originality, and human effort. On the other hand, we appreciate the convenience and efficiency AI offers. This internal conflict creates the discomfort many of us feel when using AI tools.
It’s similar to how people felt when other tech tools first emerged — like spellcheck, calculators, or Google. Each tool was met with concerns that it would replace human effort or diminish certain skills. Over time, though, these technologies became integrated into our work without replacing the fundamental role of human creativity and thought.
The case for and against AI tools
The case against AI tools
- Loss of authenticity: AI’s reliance on patterns and data can sometimes produce content that lacks a personal touch, making it feel less authentic.
- Over-reliance on AI: Some fear that using AI tools too often could weaken their abilities or diminish their creativity over time.
- Ethical gray areas: Who owns AI-generated content? Should users always disclose when AI was involved? These questions remain largely unresolved and can cause concern, especially in professional contexts.
The case for AI tools
- Improved efficiency: AI tools can handle repetitive tasks like creating outlines, drafting emails, or even writing first drafts, saving users hours of time.
- Augmenting creativity: Instead of replacing creativity, AI can enhance it. Tools like ChatGPT can offer new ideas, suggest fresh angles, or help writers overcome blocks.
- Accessibility for all: AI can democratize writing. Non-native speakers, people with learning disabilities, and those with limited time can use these tools to communicate more effectively.
At Hive, we’ve seen firsthand how AI can boost productivity without replacing the value of human creativity. We use AI to complement, not replace, human effort.
Overcoming AI guilt: strategies for responsible use
If you’re struggling with AI guilt, you’re not alone. But there are ways to use these tools ethically and confidently:
- Set clear boundaries: Use AI for assistance, not as a replacement. Let it handle repetitive tasks, but ensure your core ideas and creativity shine through.
- Be transparent: Whether you’re working in a professional or academic setting, be upfront about how and when you’ve used AI. Transparency builds trust and fosters accountability.
- Focus on collaboration: Think of AI as a tool that augments your creativity, much like a spellchecker or grammar assistant. It’s there to help you work faster, but the creative direction should still come from you.
At Hive, we encourage responsible AI use, ensuring that our employees know how to leverage these tools without compromising their creativity or ethical standards.
Ethical considerations: Balancing human creativity and AI assistance
One of the biggest questions with AI tools is where we draw the line. As AI continues to develop, we must consider:
- Transparency: How much should we disclose about AI’s role in creating content? At Hive, we believe transparency is essential in maintaining trust.
- Ownership: Who owns AI-generated content? The legal and ethical implications of this are still evolving, but it’s crucial for companies and individuals alike to address.
- AI as a tool, not a replacement: AI doesn’t create on its own — it responds to human input. That’s why it’s important to see AI as a tool that enhances human creativity rather than replaces it.
Future perspectives: The evolution of AI tools
As AI continues to evolve, the guilt surrounding its use may lessen. In the same way that current assisting technology became normalized, AI tools may follow the same path.
Looking ahead, AI could become more integrated into content creation, with companies like Hive leading the way in responsible AI development. We believe that AI and human creativity can work together, and that transparency, ethical considerations, and accountability will shape the future of AI-assisted writing.
Embrace AI, but stay true to your creativity
AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming an integral part of how we work and create. At Hive, we’ve seen both the benefits and challenges of these tools firsthand. While there’s a natural tension between AI efficiency and human creativity, we believe it’s possible to use these tools without sacrificing authenticity or originality.
The key is to use AI responsibly, set clear ethical standards, and be transparent about its role in your work. As we move forward into this new era of writing and content creation, the real question is not whether we should use AI, but how we can use it ethically and effectively to enhance — rather than replace — what makes us human.
