• Generative vs. non-generative AI
• A real-life example
• ChatGPT vs. InstaText vs. Grammarly
• Cognitive benefits of non-generative AI
• InstaText: Write better, think sharper, stay original

As we see on social media, in the post-ChatGPT era, some people fall into one of two camps when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in writing: AI skeptics who try to avoid it as much as possible and those who rely heavily on it in their workflows.

At InstaText, we have encountered users who are so dependent on tools like ChatGPT that they feel blocked when they are not available, and trust the output so much that they overlook the need for fact-checking, even in sensitive contexts.

We also know people who explicitly mention in their emails or social media posts that they did not use ChatGPT or similar assistants to create their content and ask readers to excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.

The views of both groups are to be respected, and we are not here to judge anyone, as we all make our decisions based on a variety of factors – including our circumstances, unique experiences, context, and the information available to us.

But the question we want to raise is this: What if there were a middle way? What if we didn’t have to be so dependent on AI in the name of maximum efficiency or discard AI altogether in the name of authenticity?

What if we told you that not all AI is the same? What if the right kind of AI could help you use technology in moderation – benefiting from the speed, convenience, and efficiency it offers – while helping you maintain your originality and, more importantly, avoid losing the cognitive benefits that come from writing actively rather than passively? 

Yes, you heard that right. You can truly have it all.

Generative vs. non-generative AI

Thanks to the popularity of tools like ChatGPT, the word “AI” often brings to mind “generative AI” – but that’s just one part of the broader AI landscape.

While AI is a broad and complex category, here’s a simplified way of looking at it for our discussion: generative vs. non-generative AI.

Technology	Generative AI	Non-generative advanced language technologies
Definition	Creates new content based on input data	Analyses, processes, or improves existing content
Primary use	Content generation and creative tasks	Text analysis, editing, and comprehension tasks
Interaction method	Prompt-based: Yes ✅(Users provide specific prompts to create new content.)	Prompt-based: No ❌(Users input existing text for editing or analysis.)
Examples	ChatGPT DALL·E Midjourney Canva (Magic Write) Copy.ai	Google Translate IBM Watson Natural Language Understanding Google Cloud Text-to-Speech InstaText

Note that many tools today use a combination of these technologies, with one type usually being more dominant.

But simply put: Generative AI tools generate content, while non-generative AI tools do not generate content. They only work with existing text.

A real-life example 

To better understand the difference between generative and non-generative AI, let’s imagine a real-life scenario.

You want to write an email to your boss asking for a pay raise, but you’re not completely confident in your writing skills. So you may assume that you only have two options:

1. Ask ChatGPT to write it for you based on your instructions. This makes the process quick and easy, but runs the risk of losing your unique voice and authenticity and your email being perceived as AI-generated.
2. Write it yourself and avoid using tools to edit your email so it doesn’t come across as inauthentic or AI-generated. However, this also risks your message looking unprofessional or containing spelling and grammatical errors that could hurt your overall impression.

Neither of these options seems ideal. You don’t have to compromise anything. You can write an email that preserves your authentic voice and intent while looking professional.

That’s exactly where non-generative AI tools come in.

What you need to accomplish such an ideal outcome are advanced editing assistants that don’t write for you from scratch, but only improve your text – not only in terms of spelling and grammar, but also in terms of readability, clarity, and overall impact. Using such tools means that your text will not be edited beyond recognition and that your voice and authentic expression will remain intact.

InstaText is one of these tools. As an editing assistant, it does not write for you. It only improves what you have already written.

Using advanced language technologies, but not generative AI, InstaText goes beyond just proofreading your work for spelling and grammar. It improves word choice, sentence structure, tone, and style to ensure that your message is communicated not only in the most polished way, but also in the most effective way.

The special thing about InstaText is that you can see the original and the edited version of your text side by side and accept or reject each suggestion, depending on your preferences. This gives you full control over your text and the way your message is conveyed.

Basically, the output will look and feel like you – only improved, not changed. The human element will be there, just reasonably enhanced by technology.

ChatGPT vs. InstaText vs. Grammarly

We have explained above how InstaText is different from ChatGPT. While ChatGPT “generates” content, InstaText enhances existing content. But what about Grammarly? How is InstaText different from Grammarly?

Well, Grammarly is a multi-purpose writing tool that uses generative and non-generative AI for different purposes.

To simplify, if you use it as an AI writer to write an email for you, for example, it “generates” content similar to ChatGPT. If you use it to proofread your text, it processes the existing content similarly to InstaText.

The difference, however, is that Grammarly is primarily a proofreader, not an editor. It focuses mainly on correcting spelling, grammar, and tone rather than thorough editing. So if a sentence contains more serious issues, such as structural errors, a proofreader is not enough to improve the text and ensure it is communicated clearly and effectively with the most impactful word choices.

InstaText, on the other hand, is an advanced editing assistant that goes beyond surface-level changes and enhances the entire text without changing your intent, tone, or style.

This is crucial, as editing is considered by many writing experts to be the most important phase of the writing process, and this is exactly what InstaText specialises in.

When you use InstaText to prepare the type of email described above, you can send it with confidence, knowing that your personality and genuine intentions are well expressed and that the message is polished and not generated by AI.

Feature/Aspect	ChatGPT	InstaText	Grammarly
Tool type	Drafting assistant	Editing assistant	Writing assistant
Primary use	Idea generation, drafting	Editing, proofreading	Proofreading
Best stage	Drafting	Editing	Proofreading
Retaining writer’s voice	May dilute original tone	Maintains and enhances writer’s tone	Maintains tone but focuses more on correctness
Content considered AI-generated	Yes	No (fully respects writer’s authorship)	Yes, if used extensively for content generation
Suitable for publication where AI-generated content is restricted/not allowed	No	Yes (scientific and non-scientific)	No, if used extensively for content generation
Free & paid membership	Yes	Yes	Yes

Cognitive benefits of non-generative AI 

The benefits of using non-generative AI tools in writing go beyond preserving originality and authenticity while improving your text. One particular advantage of non-generative AI tools is that they help you write actively rather than passively, as is the case with AI writers such as ChatGPT.

When editing with InstaText, for example, you receive interactive feedback in real time and can accept or reject suggestions individually instead of accepting them all without thinking.

The cognitive benefits of consciously engaging in writing – such as improved memory, critical thinking, creativity, verbal skills, and general mental health – have long been well documented.

However, they have been further spotlighted by a recent MIT study investigating how dependency on ChatGPT can affect our ability to think, reason, and learn. 

Despite the limitations acknowledged by the authors, the findings suggest that over-reliance on generative AI in writing can reduce the cognitive effort we normally invest in developing ideas.

See also: MIT study explores cognitive cost of AI dependence 

To frame this concern, the authors draw on the concept of cognitive debt – the gradual accumulation of mental shortcuts and reliance on external aids that limit a person’s ability to engage in deep critical thinking and problem solving.

Simply put, the easier it becomes to write with generative AI, the more difficult it becomes to actually learn and remember. That’s why actively engaging in the writing process with tools like InstaText not only supports your cognitive development, but also helps you improve your writing and communication skills by paying attention to the suggested changes.

See also: How InstaText improves writing and cognitive skills

InstaText: Write better, think sharper, stay original

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between writing assistants that use generative AI and non-generative AI – and the benefits of each – we believe you’ll appreciate the experience of editing with InstaText even more.

In our opinion, InstaText is one of the best alternatives to ChatGPT, and also one of the best alternatives to Grammarly, for those looking for an enriching, fulfilling, educational, and cognitively beneficial writing experience.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. If you’re already a user, we recommend you do a little exercise: write a personal email yourself and edit it with InstaText. Then:

1. Pay attention to each suggested change and see how your text is enhanced in terms of spelling, grammar, readability, and beyond, while maintaining your unique tone and the emotional nuance of your message.
2. Review each proposed change and accept or reject it mindfully. In this way, you will not only reap the cognitive benefits of the writing process, but you will also expand your vocabulary and your knowledge of writing and communication.

If you’re not a user yet, you can sign up for a free trial in just a few clicks at instatext.io and find out how InstaText can help you use technology in moderation – by enhancing your writing and thinking, not replacing it.

“This tool is outstanding, exceeded my expectations. I’m used to using Grammarly but InstaText is a more thorough tool and comes up with much better suggestions for rewrites. A game changer for editing.”

— Stephan Skovlund, Business Consultant

“InstaText has completely changed the way I write and communicate in academic papers, social media, and other areas. I definitely recommend this tool for non-native speakers who usually struggle with their English skills. I wish I had learned about InstaText sooner.”

— İbrahim Niftiyev, PhD Researcher

“I absolutely recommend InstaText to all academic writers who have to publish their work in English and would like to have their work accepted and not rejected just because the language is not up to the standards demanded by the journal.”

— Dr. Karmen Pižorn, Professor of English Education