Go to the Source: What We’re Losing to AI Summaries
Resist the temptation to stop reading
AI-powered summaries promise to save us time by distilling long-form content into bite-sized insights. But there’s a hidden cost: these summaries often strip away the unique language and nuance that make a piece resonate personally.
I read widely not just for new ideas, but to discover how different authors express the same concepts in their own distinctive ways. AI, by design, leans toward a “mathematical average,” smoothing over originality in favor of generality.
That’s why I believe true understanding and creativity come only from engaging deeply with the original source material—AI summaries should be a tool, never a substitute.
The Limits of AI Summaries: Mediocrity and Bias
Large Language Models (LLMs) generate text by predicting what comes next based on patterns learned from vast datasets. This causes them to lean toward what’s statistically average—the "mathematical average" of language and ideas. Dan Sinker aptly calls AI a “mediocrity machine,” smoothing everything toward bland generalities.
While this makes summaries broadly accessible, it often strips away the phrasing, voice, and structure that make an author’s message land. Readers don’t just consume ideas—they engage with the way they’re expressed. I don’t just read to collect facts. I read for phrasing that re-frames how I think.
I read to learn the language to describe things.
Layered on top of that is the issue of bias. Every model is shaped by the data it was trained on, carrying invisible assumptions into its summaries. Relying solely on these outputs means consuming content that’s not just simplified, but subtly viewed through unknown lenses.
Finally, creative thinking thrives on diverse, high-quality inputs. What you consume shapes what you create.
Consequences of Over-Reliance on AI Summaries
AI could do to our critical thinking what TikTok did to attention spans. AI's fast, confident, and affirming answers are a new kind of instant gratification that is like crack for our brains.
Additionally, just as clickbait headlines and 140 character hot takes have warped reading habits, AI summaries might incentivize writers to craft content optimized for LLM digestion rather than authentic expression. This could further flatten nuance and deepen polarization, as readers engage with bite-sized interpretations instead of the full complexity of ideas.
The Right Role for AI in Your Reading Workflow
Just because there are downsides to some types of AI use doesn't mean we shouldn't leverage it. It's all about choosing the wisest application of the tool.
AI should not replace the core process of reading and engaging with original content. Instead, AI excels at supporting the surrounding steps.
For example, it can help you organize and prioritize what to read, saving time in managing the flood of incoming information. Or it can be used to find relevant sources on a topic across your existing library for a research task.
After you’ve done the hard work of reading and reflecting, AI can assist by summarizing your notes, highlighting key themes, or helping you synthesize ideas more clearly. It can also serve as a thought partner—challenging your interpretations or prompting new lines of inquiry.
Bailey Belvis
But wait? Isn't this whole post about not using AI Summaries?
The key is context: use AI summaries only after you’ve absorbed and interacted with the source material. This way, AI becomes an amplifier of your insights rather than a shortcut that risks diluting them.
Responsible AI Use — Habits and Guardrails
To use AI summaries effectively and avoid pitfalls, awareness and intentionality are essential. Start by monitoring how often and why you reach for AI—are you using it out of convenience, or as a thoughtful tool to deepen understanding?
Be skeptical of AI-generated summaries. Don’t accept them at face value; instead, spot check not only factual accuracy but also tone and nuance.
Finally, treat AI as a thought partner, not an oracle. Use it to explore ideas, test assumptions, and flesh out your thinking—not to replace your critical judgment or decision-making.
Conclusion
AI is an incredible tool with a low barrier to entry, but skillful and intentional use is essential.
While AI summaries can help manage the overwhelming flood of information, they should never replace direct engagement with original content. True understanding and creativity come from wrestling with the source material—finding the language and ideas that uniquely resonate with you.
Use AI strategically and intentionally to support your reading habits, not replace them.