The world is constantly spinning, with new technologies emerging in the blink of an eye—a controversial one being AI. Conversations around artificial intelligence have evolved and adapted over time, more recently about the specific rhetorical surrounding AI. In Cummings’ words:
“Machine rhetoric is the study of the available means of machine persuasion that looks beyond prompt design to encompass a broader range of techniques to shape AI responses and behaviors.”
Cummings makes optimistic and interesting points about analyzing and optimizing AI systems so we can maximize their potential. It’s a concept I’ve often heard people talk negatively about, so it was compelling to hear such a positive take on the future of AI.
To optimize AI, he believes we should organize the information we give to AI systems, guide AI processing by mapping the knowledge it should output, and create models for specific tasks.
As for Ridolfo and DeVoss’s writing, they spoke of rhetorical velocity:
“a conscious rhetorical concern for distance, travel, speed, and time, pertaining specifically to theorizing instances of strategic appropriation by a third party.”
In other words, rhetorical velocity is writing with redistribution by others in mind. The idea of creating content with the intention of it being remixed was something I had never considered before, yet it’s everywhere! There aren’t many truly ‘original’ ideas anymore; it’s more about taking pieces from what you like and weaving your own tapestry. Many of us have seen firsthand the parodies of songs, mashups of video games, remakes of movies, and more.
For example, the classic Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, there was Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke, and in more recent times, West Side Story and countless other adaptations. The same story, told in different, remixed ways—rhetorical velocity!
Ridolfo and DeVoss also wrote about delivery, one of the major canons of rhetoric, which they believe, in modern times, to be one of the most important. As technology has developed and more social media platforms have emerged, the mediums through which we deliver messages have expanded massively.
You could post a TikTok video for shorter content, or Youtube for longer format. If video isn’t appropriate, there’s X or BlueSky, or simply write a blog post on whatever topic you choose. Not to mention the ability to digitally publish books with ease. With the variety of options available, Ridolfo and DeVoss argue that we need to be acutely aware of how and where we deliver messages and, especially, how those messages will be received and changed over time.
The ideas presented by Cummings, Ridolfo, and DeVoss have given me much to reflect on regarding the intersection of AI, rhetoric, and modern communication. While I am not in favor of AI use due to its environmental and ethical issues, it was interesting to read Cumming’s perspective, which invited a shift in focus. Meanwhile, Ridolfo and DeVoss’s exploration of rhetorical velocity and delivery highlights how deeply embedded remix culture is in our creative and communicative practices. These concepts challenge me to think more critically about my own role in shaping, sharing, and remixing content. I find myself eager to engage more intentionally with these evolving rhetorical landscapes.