The TribeScribe’s Most Frequently Asked Questions
Is my content used to train AI?
No! In fact, while in ChatGPT you have to OPT OUT of letting it use your data, TribeScribe (PenPal & AllyChat) automatically keeps your writing and content safe and private!
The only content used to “feed” the AllyChat, is the content specifically uploaded for those purposes by administrators.
Where does it pull information? How do I know the information is accurate?
Imagine AI like a massive digital library that’s been fed millions of books, articles, and websites. It’s like if someone took every book, magazine, and online article in the world and crammed them into a super-smart computer brain.
When you ask the AI a question, it doesn’t actually ‘know’ anything the way a human knows things. Instead, it’s more like an incredibly advanced prediction machine. It looks at all the information it’s been exposed to and tries to piece together the most likely answer that makes sense.
Think of it like a very sophisticated autocomplete. Just like your phone tries to predict the next word when you’re texting, AI tries to predict entire conversations or pieces of writing based on patterns it has seen before.
The catch? It can make mistakes. Sometimes spectacularly. It might sound completely confident, but it can mix up facts, make up information, or repeat incorrect information it found in its original sources.
It’s kind of like a super-smart friend who reads everything but sometimes gets things wrong - so you always want to double-check important information.
The AI isn’t searching the internet in real-time. It’s working from a fixed set of information it was trained on, which means its knowledge has a cut-off date. So it might not know about very recent events or the most up-to-date information.
Bottom line: It’s an amazing tool, but not a perfect source of truth. Always think of it as a starting point, not the final word.
If I use writing the bots give me, is it copyrighted to me?
We are not lawyers and copyright law is complicated. Our short answer is: we recommend using these tools to clean up your own writing, not do your writing for you. But here is some information:
- Current copyright law is still evolving
- No universal standard exists for AI-generated content
- Different jurisdictions have different interpretations
TribeScribe’s Position: We do not recommend using purely AI-generated content for publication purposes. Give all results your own twists, creativity, and ingenuity.
Best Practices:
- Always substantially modify AI-generated text
- Add your own creative input
- Ensure the final work reflects your unique voice and perspective
Tips:
- Use AI as a drafting/brainstorming tool
- Treat AI output as a first draft, not final work
- Invest your creativity in transforming AI suggestions
TribeScribe’s Ethical Guidelines for AI Writing Tools:
- AI tools are assistants, not authors
- Users remain responsible for final content
- AI suggestions should enhance, not replace, your unique voice
- Use AI as a brainstorming and drafting tool
- Treat AI suggestions as collaborative input, not final draft
- Modify and personalize AI-generated content
- You retain full creative control
- AI tools cannot copyright or claim ownership of your work
- Your intellectual property remains yours
- AI is a tool, like spell-check or a thesaurus
Responsible Use:
- Do not use AI to plagiarize
- Avoid generating content intended to mislead
- Avoid simply copying and pasting AI generated work
- Use AI to overcome writer’s block, not to avoid writing
- Users can always choose to accept, modify, or reject suggestions
- We encourage critical thinking and personal creativity
Our goal: Empower writers, not replace them.
Can I use PenPal instead of an editor?
PenPal (and its writing assistants) is a powerful writing assistant, not a replacement for professional editing.
Think of PenPal like a high-tech spell-check or grammar assistant - helpful, but not a substitute for professional expertise. Our tool can:
- Catch basic grammatical errors
- Suggest clarity improvements
- Help identify potential writing obstacles
- Provide structural writing guidance
- Provide ideas and help you enhance your writing
What PenPal CANNOT do:
- Replace the nuanced eye of a professional editor
- Understand the deeper creative intentions of your work
- Provide industry-specific professional feedback
- Offer the strategic developmental guidance a human editor brings
Professional editors do much more than fix commas:
- They understand narrative arcs
- They know genre-specific expectations
- They help preserve your unique voice
- They provide strategic career guidance
Our recommendation:
Use PenPal to polish your initial draft:
- Refine your writing
- Increase confidence
- Prepare your manuscript
Then invest in a professional editor for:
- Serious manuscript development
- Publication preparation
- Career-advancing feedback
PenPal is your writing companion, not your final draft gatekeeper. Think of us as your first reader, not your last word.
Can other users see my writing?
Other members of TribeScribe can only see the writing you share in The Tribe for sharing and feedback. Writing you upload into the tools and into PenPal is private to you.
What happens to my writing if I cancel my membership?
If you cancel, you will no longer have access to the chats where you may have uploaded writing or The Tribe and any feedback you may have received.
Can I get human feedback in addition to AI feedback?
Absolutely! At TribeScribe, AI is just one part of your writing journey. The Tribe - our community writing forum - is where human connection and real writer feedback truly shine.
How The Tribe Works:
- Share your writing in The Tribe
- Get constructive feedback from real writers
- Connect with writers at similar skill levels
- Participate in writing challenges and critique exchanges
- Build relationships with potential writing partners
AI + Human Collaboration:
- Use PenPal to polish your draft
- Share refined work in The Tribe for human insights
- Receive nuanced, personal feedback AI can’t provide
- Get perspective from writers who understand your genre
- Benefit from lived writing experiences
This is a living document. More questions will be added as they are raised.