# 003: Tech Writers and AI? It’s Complicated ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hola, tech writing friends,
I wish a peaceful week for you.
Today's issue is bound to make you smile at least once or twice.
Tell me how you really feel…
How do tech writers actually feel about AI?
The tech industry expects tech writers —and everyone else, really— to adopt AI tools for efficiency and gained productivity levels.
If you don’t keep up with techy trends, deep down, you know you’re 9000000% more replaceable.
Many tech writers tentatively use AI or avoid it altogether, missing out on all of the benefits.
Why?
Because writers —even tech writers, especially tech writers— we worry about losing our unique voice.
Our unique value.
Our identity.
No problemo; I’ll just use AI SECRETLY.
Believe it or not, some tech writers feel like they gotta use AI tools in secret.
They leverage AI for small tasks like research or generating outline topics, but avoid using it extensively out of fear they’re appearing to “cheat.”
Others don’t use AI at all, either because they have no clue where to start!
The allure of saving time is consistently overshadowed by doubts about damaging one’s authenticity and professional credibility.
Welp… THAT didn’t work…
Hiding your AI usage or avoiding it altogether doesn’t win you any prizes.
Tech writers, we cannot afford to miss out on AI benefits.
Your hesitance results in:
Inefficient writing and editing workflows
Appearing outdated or replaceable
Burdening engineers and product managers with more meetings to understand new features (when many of these Subject Matter Expert conversations can now be streamlined with AI!)
Promote AI transparency and establish responsible guidelines
So, what should tech writers do instead?
Well heck, imagine what could happen if we prioritize…
Promoting transparency
Blending authenticity with efficiency
Defining & establishing responsible AI guidelines
The key to dealing with the AI revolution isn’t hiding under a rock. 🪨🪨👀🪨
Tech writers, we must define and establish clear guidelines and best practices for using AI responsibly in our writing workflows.
Remove ambiguity.
Your AI Action Steps
Ready to show the world how to do AI right?
1. Define & Establish Your AI Guidelines
Decide which tasks you’re comfortable using AI for, and which ones you want to manage yourself.
For example, use AI to generate code samples, but modify the code for your use case and add educational code comments in your own voice.
Use AI to explore new features or code samples before scheduling yet another sync meeting with an engineer or product manager.
Train AI to be your tech writing coach, providing feedback on your first draft before you submit it in a pull request.
Remember, it’s not about replacing you —it’s about enhancing your research, editing, and writing workflows.
<french incoming>Train AI to be your b*&**. </excuse my french>
AI replace YOU?
Nuh uh, bruh. Not on our block.
2. Share Your AI Guidelines
If you’re in a leadership role or collaborating with others, share your organization's established guidelines on how and when AI should be used in tech writing.
Do you know when and how to properly cite AI-generated contributions? (That wasn't a hypothetical question.)
Avoid the confusion and guilt highlighted by Workforce Lab’s research.
Upcoming FREE 6-Figure Tech Writer Workshops!
Exciting news—our next FREE workshop is happening on Monday, the 28th, at 11am PST! 🎉
Here’s the catch…
Only the first 5 people to fill out the survey will get a spot.
It’s first come, first served, so act fast!
You choose the workshop topic!
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Shoutout to my new techy friend, Ryan Hutchinson!
Speaking of AI and increasing your efficiency…
If you’re a tech writer branching into freelancing or running your own shop, grab Ryan’s FREE 5-Day Email Course on building an “AI Marketing Machine.”
Ryan teaches you how to use AI to attract quality leads, streamline content creation, and even build “AI Employees” that work 24/7 to grow your business.
Shoutout to Abigayle and Andrew from Startup Dreams!
Abigayle and Andrew are on a mission to teach you everything you need to know about landing a startup job in 2024’s brutal job market.
Their community, Startup Dreams, is doing incredible work, so you don’t wanna miss out!
Ready to learn badass tips and tricks to secure a startup role? Sign up for Abigayle’s newsletter.
Happy documenting! 📝
Talk soon,
¡Hasta luego!
Quetzalli
