I’ve been experimenting with AI as a thought partner and copy editor for a while now, and I have to say— at times it feels more like a teacher than a machine. I’d fire off a sentence, see a suggested change pop up, and realize: Oh, that’s how it should be phrased! Over time, each quick correction taught me why my original wording was unclear. I started internalizing those lessons and my writing improved.
Instant feedback is a powerful learning mechanism. We see it in how babies learn to talk—every coo or babble that gets a warm response encourages another attempt1. Educational researchers have confirmed that “the shorter the gap between an attempt and feedback, the faster the skill development.” 2 AI provides that ultra-fast loop for writers. No more waiting days for someone to mark up your draft; you make a mistake, it’s corrected, and you learn in real-time.
One trick I use—and encourage my teammates to use—is always ask why a certain correction works. Accepting an AI suggestion blindly won’t help you grow. But having it explain...
"This sentence is vague: ‘The project was handled in a way that ensured efficiency and success.’ A clearer version is ‘The team streamlined the workflow to finish on time and exceed goals' Specifics make it stronger.”
Good explanations is everything 3. It cements the lesson in your memory. It’s the classic “teach a man to fish” concept: if you only copy the fix without understanding it, you’re reliant on the AI. But if you learn the principle behind the edit, you level up your own writing toolkit.
The real magic is the speed at which we can now iterate. In a single writing session, I can run through multiple drafts, each one improved by the AI’s feedback. Because the learning happens instantly, my memory of the problem—and its solution—stays fresh. Over dozens of interactions, my style sharpens faster than it would through sporadic, delayed feedback.
Far from replacing human ingenuity, I believe AI can serve as our most tireless mentor, letting us learn as we go. The teacher’s right there, 24/7, pushing us to explore ideas, refine them, and understand why certain choices resonate more than others. If we embrace that feedback loop, we accelerate our growth into more skilled, confident creative communicators.
