In the age of ChatGPT, why do we still need blogs?

In the age of ChatGPT, why do we still need blogs?

I'm writing a blog about how blogs can survive in the age of AI. Personally, I find using ChatGPT really helpful. To put it simply, I'm quite positive about it. At first, I was afraid and even disliked it—I thought it might take away our jobs. But what can we do? It's already out in the world. So, like the saying "know your enemy to defeat them," I decided to try using it myself. I went all in and even subscribed to the paid version. And honestly, my review is a perfect score.

Its ability to summarize, search, and even provide consultation is outstanding. It answers like a patient, knowledgeable advisor. If I asked a person this many detailed questions, they might get annoyed—but ChatGPT doesn't. It responds with endless patience and kindness. It only took a few tries before it started to feel like my best friend.

Naturally, my work efficiency went up. For example, writing emails used to be really stressful, especially to foreigners. I’d worry—does this sound too rude? Am I saying too much? Or maybe I sound too humble? But with ChatGPT’s help, I could express myself clearly, without overthinking. Before, people would sometimes reply asking what I meant, but now that almost never happens.

​When I was working as a researcher, I had to research cases of Japanese mobile phone companies and create a presentation file. However, simply searching wasn’t enough. I needed a “reality” that felt like I was visiting the headquarters and touching the mobile phone in person. So I asked a friend who was living in Japan at the time. He went to the store and took pictures and told me what it felt like.

That company was NTT Docomo. They were dealing with products that had health information-related functions, so I needed specific information on the service structure and UI.

If it were now, I would have probably asked ChatGPT. They would organize the latest information, product specifications, and service policies. When I think about that anecdote, I realize how convenient things have become these days.

So I’ve come to truly welcome tools like this. They also help a lot when I write blog posts. While the ideas, structure, and personal insights are my own, ChatGPT helps me gather references, summarize information, and organize my thoughts. It speeds up my writing process significantly. Of course, I don’t rely on it too much—I want to maintain my own voice.

But while writing so enthusiastically, a new worry crept in. What if the job of a blogger disappears? That led me to think: what should bloggers do to survive? How should we write? I started reflecting on what kinds of content still lead me to search the internet instead of asking ChatGPT.

Honestly, since ChatGPT came into my life, I use search engines less than half as much as before. But when I do go out of my way to search, it's usually for one reason—I want to hear about other people’s experiences. ChatGPT has no personality. It's like an encyclopedia: factual and generic. But human stories are different. I want to know if someone else feels the way I do. Or if they struggle like I do. Or even if they think the opposite. That kind of writing moves me, and sometimes even changes my perspective.

I also tend to visit blogs that include a lot of images—what I call “kind blogs.” Ones that explain things clearly, with their own ideas and creative visuals. Blogs that offer reviews, experiences, thoughts, unique perspectives, or problem-solving explanations—these are things AI still can’t replicate. And when it comes to trends, blogs are unbeatable. You can notice recurring themes across different blogs, and that becomes the trend itself.

So I believe that in order for bloggers to survive, they must have personality. And if personality is too difficult, then at least authenticity. I think sincerity has immense power.

No matter how smart ChatGPT is, it doesn’t tell its own story. It’s like a brilliant student who never opens up—aloof and untouchable.

That’s why I still believe blogs have a place in this world. But not just blogs that deliver information—blogs that tell someone’s story. Stories with unique voices, opinions, emotions, even uncertainty. That’s what makes writing human, and human writing still has the power to comfort and inspire.
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AI is a tool. A blog is a person. As long as we remember that distinction, I believe we can absolutely thrive—even in the age of AI.