With the advances of artificial intelligence, I wanted to see if creative writers were in trouble. So, I asked openai to write a 500-word sci-fi story about an autistic teenager who gets accepted to an elite tech academy in space dedicated to saving a dying Earth. Here’s what it came up with, including the title. The featured image is also ai-generated. I used midjourney.
“Achieving the Impossible: An Autistic Teenager’s Journey to Save the Earth”
I sit at my desk as the sun sets on the dying earth, staring blankly at the computer screen. My mind is racing with excitement and fear as I think about the email I received earlier today. An invitation to attend the Advance Tech School in Space, a prestigious institution dedicated to finding a way to save the earth from its inevitable demise.
As I pack my bags and say goodbye to my family, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope for the future. I know the journey ahead will be difficult, but I’m ready for the challenge.
When I arrive at the space station, I’m in awe of the sleek, modern design. The walls are made of shimmering metal panels, and large windows offer breathtaking views of the stars. The halls are filled with students from all over the world, each one just as brilliant and driven as the next.
Our classrooms are state-of-the-art, equipped with the latest technologies and resources. We spend hours each day poring over complex equations and theories, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible.
But it’s not all work and no play. The school has a recreation deck that offers all kinds of activities, from zero-gravity sports to virtual reality games. It’s a welcome break from the intense academic schedule, and I often find myself losing track of time as I explore the endless possibilities.
As the weeks go by, I realize that one of my teachers, a biotech expert, seems to have it out for me. Every time I turn in an assignment or participate in class, she finds a way to belittle me in front of the entire class. I can see the disappointment and frustration in her eyes, and it’s clear that she wants me to fail.
But I refuse to let her get the best of me. I study harder than ever, determined to prove her wrong. And eventually, I do. My classmates and I make incredible strides in our research, developing technologies to clean the air and water and even finding a way to reverse the effects of climate change.
At the school’s ceremony to celebrate our success, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. I’ve come so far from the lost and lonely teenager I once was, and I know I’ve made a difference in the world. And as I walk across the stage to receive my diploma, I can’t help but shoot a smug look in my biotech teacher’s direction. She may have doubted me, but I’ve proven her wrong.
As I look up at the stars, I know the future is bright. The earth is saved, and the human race can now spread out and explore the universe. And as I step off the stage and into the unknown, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Some specifics:
After the first draft:
- I had to ask it to rewrite the story in first person, present tense.
- I asked it to include more imagery of the school
- I asked it to include an antagonistic biotech teacher who wanted to see the protagonist fail
It did these things.
Then I asked it to make autism a more nuanced and integral aspect of the protagonist’s identity. It could not.
Also, a lot of telling not showing. So, for now. I think we’re safe. What do you think?? Answer in the comments.