ChatGPT

Deschain wrote: If someone asks ChatGPT to help with something they could otherwise ask a beta for, is it really any different? Personally I think not, but I'm sure other people disagree. Anyway, all I can control is my own process.

Beta's (spouses, children, friends, forum spreadsheet volunteers) have helped me to clarify my thoughts, but have never written the story for me. They made sure what is in my head is actually coming across to others clearly. They have helped with grammar and supported or vetoed creative attempts. Ultimately it is my choice to take the advice or ignore it. I am not sure how that would be considered cheating?

I didn't say it was cheating. It isn't against the rules, so it's not cheating. It's just a different process than mine. But I personally don't see much difference between asking ChatGPT to check your grammar versus asking a beta to check your grammar.

Remember, people (like me) joining the contest for the first time probably haven't even heard of betas, so it's a competitive advantage, particularly for the betas who are also part of NYCM and have knowledge of what judges look for. There isn't anything inherently wrong about competitive advantages. Just competing in a handful of contests is a competitive advantage over newcomers. But at the same time, I don't see a difference between a newcomer asking ChatGPT to check their grammar instead of asking a friend.

Betas give an opinion on something created from a writer's mind whereas AI programs do the entire writer's job.

Not even vaguely close to the same thing.

As I said, I am specifically talking about asking ChatGPT to do a task you'd ask a beta to do.

I am not talking about ChatGPT writing someone's story for them.

I am specifically asking if people think there's a difference between:
(1) asking ChatGPT to check the grammar of a story you wrote

(2) asking a beta to check the grammar of a story you wrote

To answer your question though, a fellow writer wouldn't make the mistake of sanitizing someone's writing and a beta reader gives an opinion so you don't have to take their advice/opinion. 

The big story about this AI program isn't about using it as a stand in for WORD MS grammar checker. Most common writing software already has something to check spelling and grammar.