Can ChatGPT Proofread Documents?

Should ChatGPT proofread your document? 

The answer to this is more complicated. For some writers, using AI is enough. Let’s say you’re writing a five-sentence email to a friend. Or maybe you’re writing a birthday card. In those instance, sure, an automated check might suffice. A computer could catch any glaring errors. (As we’ve discussed elsewhere, some documents are better for human proofreading, and some are better for AI — so “should” depends on the document type.)

Professional proofreading, by a human, is ideal for:

1. 1. Creative writing, including books, as creativity is a distinctively human trait; you cannot rely on “artificial” means, since AI does not have actual intelligence but predicts based on previously written material — and that, by definition, is not creative.
   2. Business documents and marketing materials targeting specific audiences, as the investment in human proofreading will yield greater returns. There’s no wisdom in cutting corners with business documents.
   3. Research papers, where precise grammar is crucial and can be ensured by an expert reviewer.
   4. Cover letters and applications, as they require a relatable “human voice” and should be tailored for specific recipients (e.g., particular employers).
   5. Lengthy texts (longer than a couple of pages), as AI tends to overuse words or ideas.
   6. Crucial documents where quality is essential; enlist the assistance of a professional for superior outcomes.

AI proofreading is suitable for:

1. 1. Generic emails, due to their short length and broad context.
   2. Basic social media posts, which can be easily checked by users.
   3. Initial drafts, such as examples that can be later revised.
   4. Technical writing that lacks creativity or emotion, such as instruction manuals.
   5. Short paragraphs, as redundancy is less likely in brief texts.
   6. Informal documents of lesser importance, since a computer could do fine.

As noted above, there are many cases where ChatGPT should not be proofreading documents. Let’s say you are trying to be persuasive. You want to convince the school board… You are applying for a new job… You want to run for political office… You need to persuade a landlord… You want to attract more customers. In situations like those, relying on a machine may not be the best choice. AI can guess at what might be said but not necessarily predict accurately.

Furthermore, in our testing, ChatGPT makes crucial mistakes at points, such as missing commas when they would be helpful and misunderstanding the context. For example, when asked to summarize House Made of Dawn, ChatGPT confused Momaday’s book with a Chinese text — thus introducing factual errors. If this were used for an exam, for example, it would lead to a failing grade.

Another example can be seen in the image. We asked ChatGPT to count the errors in a known problematic text with glaring errors. However, ChatGPT responded with “There are no grammar errors in the text.” Proof of this is provided in the screenshot above. The trouble is that some writers would not know the difference; the only person qualified to “outsmart” AI is a professional editor.

Human editing provides more in-depth analysis, especially considering the setting and wider context. A human editor, therefore, is more likely than ChatGPT to consider the “sense” of a text in a given situation. For example, you will want to write differently to a boss or colleague than you would to a friend.

Writing also requires feeling — especially influencing the feelings of readers — and try as it may machine learning will never master “feelings.” This should not surprise. Artificial intelligence is based upon predictive text, not human emotion. So ChatGPT makes a guess, based upon probability, but for important documents, a human should check the text for accuracy.

Elsewhere, we have shared about how to proofread ChatGPT. Here the point is that human editors play an essential role, and leaving machines on their own is never a good idea. Of course, AI will mature over time. To use a metaphor, you wouldn’t leave your kids with a babysitter during an emergency — since the babysitter is not ready for that challenge. In a similar manner, when you have an emergency, such as working with an important text that is due within a few days, AI needs to be supervised. 

Speaking of metaphors, ChatGPT does not do well with figures of speech either, which is a primary element of communication and human thought. As Lakoff and Johnson pointed out in Metaphors We Live By, metaphors are ingrained within human thought. So if writing without metaphor, we lose an essential aspect of communication.

Notice that when we consider “Should ChatGPT proofread?” we are asking an ethical question — that is, should or should not? When considering issues of intellectual rights (plagiarism), transparency, disinformation, regulation, aesthetics, and a host of other ethical questions, we should pause before rushing ahead. In many cases, users should forgo artificial intelligence in preference for actual intelligence. 

The Better Question to Ask Yourself

As discussed above, the question is not simply “Could ChatGPT proofread my document?” Even the question “Should ChatGPT proofread for me?” can be quite complex, especially when you consider ethical issues. For that reason, perhaps the better question to ask is this: “How important is this document to me?”

If you’re dealing with a casual, unimportant, or temporary document — such as a text message or a tweet — then you might be fine with automated editing. However, if you’re writing a formal, important, significant document, then you should forgo automation and use human-powered editing. That’s why we at PaperBlazer say, “Go beyond AI. Go PRO.” After all, you deserve the best, so never settle for a computer when a human editor can help.

The more important the document is to you, the more you should consider human editing. For years, we’ve believed in a simple principle: “Invest in your words, and your words will thank you.” That’s been a motto of ours for over 10 years. So, when you have important documents, such as business marketing materials, a novel, or a dissertation, then rely on a professional editor — since that will lead to the best results.

When you think about the importance of your document, remember that ChatGPT is impressive but not perfect. In our extensive tests, ChatGPT faults in a number of ways:

• overly robotic tone, especially when voice could be effective
• lack of creativity and variety compared to human writers
• technical errors, when the output stops unexpectedly
• incorrect information, such as introducing irrelevant content and, in some cases, wrong facts
• overlap and repetition, often giving the same information again (e.g., your text can be very similar to others)
• overly generic responses, such as giving the same advice to multiple users
• predictable organization — lacking surprise and revealing the artificial source
• absence of newness, since AI uses prediction based on previously written content

If you’re worried about AI making a mistake, or if you’re concerned about AI’s many limitations, try professional editing service instead. You will quickly see the benefits of having a human review the text and take it to the next level.