The Thick of A.I.

One of the pernicious effects of using - and consuming - a lot of AI-assisted material is that it colours your own thinking. So I've hired a sociopath to help me.

My editor is named Malcolm - an homage to Malcolm Tucker from The Thick of It. (Sensitive readers, view this with caution.)

Tucker is head of comms within a British government department. A sweary, explosive lunatic - but one who cares deeply about craft. Every word matters. Every sentence earns its place. Or else.

I write something, share it with Malcolm for review, whereupon he picks out where I've slipped into Tech Bro energy, poor grammar, being tooooo self-deprecating. He also helps with my ongoing identity crisis of British vs American English.

I've found Malcolm surprisingly helpful. Cranky and terse, but weirdly patient.

Yes, Malcolm is an AI. A Claude skill I built for editing. The irony is not lost on me.

But at least an AI couldn't actually become Malcolm Tucker. I hope.

P.S. In line with modern HR practices, I've reluctantly had to tone down his language.