Summary of Typewriter with an onboard AI co-writer
Ghostwriter transforms a vintage Brother typewriter into an AI co-writing tool by integrating Arduino hardware and the GPT-3 language model. This project removes digital distractions, offering a tactile, meditative interface where users type prompts to receive AI-generated responses on paper. Created by Arvind Sanjeev, the device slows down the creative process, encouraging deliberate interaction and deeper engagement with text nuances through physical ink and paper.
Parts used in the Ghostwriter:
- Vintage Brother typewriter
- Arduino hardware
- Raspberry Pi
- GPT-3 language model from OpenAI
- Daisy wheel
- New cartridges
Ghostwriter is a unique typewriter that has been retrofitted with a little Arduino hardware and coding to create and AI typewriter which features an integrated artificial intelligent co-writer. Check out the video below for a quick demonstration of the systems functionality. The project has been created by Arvind Sanjeev who explained a little more about the inspiration behind the AI typewriter.
“The Ghostwriter is a project that invites us to mindfully co-create with the AI through a vintage typewriter’s tactile and physical form. The calm meditative interface removes all the digital distractions and takes us on an emotional journey through paper and ink. It allows us to focus purely on the act of co-creation itself by slowing down our interaction with the machine. This lets us become more deliberate with our prompts and pulls us to read each word one after the other, helping us understand the nuances profoundly.”
AI typewriter
The Ghostwriter is a transmuted version of a vintage Brother typewriter, powered by the GPT-3 language model from OpenAI. Enter any prompt through the typewriter and hit the return key to receive a response from the AI. Inside is an Arduino that reads the user’s prompts and shares it with a raspberry pi which queries the GPT-3 API.”
“Inspired by Robin Sloan’s “Writing with the machine”, the idea for Ghostwriter came in early 2021. But it wasn’t easy to squeeze time from my full time role at Lumen World, so I have been slowly spending my weekends working on this. I started with my search for an electronic typewriter that would let me read the keys through an Arduino. After an exhaustive hunt, I found this worn-out brother model on OLX (Indian eBay). I then spent time restoring: replacing the broken daisy wheel, getting new cartridges, lubricating and cleaning.”
Source: Typewriter with an onboard AI co-writer
- What is the Ghostwriter?
It is a retrofitted vintage typewriter featuring an integrated artificial intelligent co-writer powered by GPT-3. - How does the user interact with the AI?
Users enter any prompt through the typewriter and hit the return key to receive a response. - Which components read the user's prompts?
An internal Arduino reads the prompts and shares them with a Raspberry Pi. - What language model powers the system?
The system is powered by the GPT-3 language model from OpenAI. - Can you replace broken parts on the typewriter?
Yes, the creator restored the machine by replacing a broken daisy wheel and getting new cartridges. - What was the inspiration behind this project?
The idea was inspired by Robin Sloan’s Writing with the machine. - Where did the creator find the typewriter?
Arvind Sanjeev found the worn-out Brother model on OLX, which is the Indian version of eBay. - How does the device affect the writing experience?
It removes digital distractions to create a calm, meditative interface focused on paper and ink.
