I Got Banned From a Writers Group But I Still Teach AI

Beth Caldwell
3 days ago
3 min read

Last summer, I received formal notice that I was no longer welcome in a women's writing group.

That threw me a bit.

Relationships matter to me. Like most people, I genuinely want to be liked. I want to encourage people, help people, and build community. So receiving that message hurt.

And then I saw why.

"Participation in AI is an offense to writers, artists, and creators. Your choice to promote AI via your women’s group under the guise of productivity is egregious, irresponsible and insulting to all artists."

First, I was shocked.

Then I was hurt.

Then I was annoyed.

Finally, I was angry.

Then I remembered something I often tell my own clients.

This "official notice" wasn't really about me.

It was about change.

Artificial intelligence seems to spark strong opinions wherever it comes up. I've received thoughtful questions, healthy skepticism, and yes, a few unkind comments from people who believe AI has no place in the work of writers, artists, creative professionals, or the workforce in general.

I understand where those concerns come from.

As a writer, I care deeply about creativity, originality, and authentic human voices. Those are values worth protecting. I care about them, too.

But history has shown us that every major technological shift brings uncertainty. The printing press did. The typewriter did. Computers did. The internet did.

Now it's AI's turn.

What this experience taught me is that fear can keep us from learning the very skills we'll eventually need. We don't have to embrace every new technology without question, but we owe it to ourselves to understand it before we decide what role it should play in our lives and work.

My perspective is different because I've embraced AI in my business since 2022. Not as a tool to write my books for me, but as a support system that helps me work more efficiently, think more strategically, and spend more time doing the work that only I can do.

When it comes to writing, creating, leading, and thinking, my philosophy is simple:

Human First. AI Enhanced.

AI should never replace your thinking.

It should strengthen your thinking.

AI should never replace your voice.

It should help you spend less time on repetitive work so you can devote more time to creativity, relationships, and the work that only you can do.

The most successful professionals won't be the ones who let AI think for them. They'll be the ones who learn how to use it strategically. -Beth Caldwell

Every day a woman asks me some version of the same question:

"Where do I even begin?"

They aren't looking for AI to write a book for them or replace their expertise.

They're looking for helpful ways to save time, organize their work, and stay focused on what matters most.

Those conversations are the reason I created this workshop.

Smarter Business with AI: How to Save Time, Increase Productivity, and Work Smarter with Artificial Intelligence

with Beth Caldwell

Friday, July 31 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Club at Enterprise

During our time together, I'm not going to tell you that AI is magical or that it has all the answers. I won't show you how AI can do all your work for you. I'm going to show you exactly how I use it in my own business.

You'll watch me use AI live to...

organize projects
communicate quickly
solve technology frustrations
think through difficult conversations
get help from the chatbot but keep my authentic voice
and yes...even figure out what's for dinner.

I'll also show you best practices for privacy, security, and responsible AI use.

By the end of our time together, I hope you'll leave with something much more valuable than a list of AI prompts.

I hope you'll leave with confidence.

Confidence that you can embrace a changing world without sacrificing your creativity, your judgment, or your authentic voice.

The future workforce doesn't need less humans. It needs humans who know how to use modern tech tools wisely. -Beth Caldwell

A special thank you to Kelly Rohr and everyone at The Club at Enterprise for hosting me and this workshop. If you're looking for a wonderful co-working community in Pittsburgh's North Hills, I highly recommend stopping by and seeing what they've created.