You might have seen the headlines. “These jobs will be replaced by AI,” and sometimes, technical writing makes that list. But, as technical writers ourselves, we find those claims to be a bit off the mark.
In fact, we at Cherryleaf have seen, first-hand, how important human technical writers are in the age of AI. We’ve worked for a number of AI software development companies, helping them translate complex AI concepts into usable and understandable documentation.
The truth is, the way AI tools like chatbots and large language models (LLMs) rely on the information they’re trained on. If that information is incomplete, inaccurate, or simply doesn’t exist, the AI is likely to create content that is, to put it mildly, unreliable.
That’s why someone needs to create the foundational content for new products and services.
This is where technical writers come in. Our role is to ensure the documentation is accurate, complete, and tailored to the audience’s needs, whether it’s end users, system administrators, or developers.
What does that look like in practice?
Our experience documenting AI-driven applications and services has shown that technical writers add value through:
- Creating comprehensive user guides that help customers navigate AI features with confidence, supported by real-world examples and clear instructions
- Developing internal documentation that precisely describes functionality and configuration options
- Writing administrator documentation that enables smooth deployment and system management
- Producing developer documentation that facilitates API integration and custom implementations
Think of the introduction of Excel in finance. It automated some tasks, but it didn’t eliminate the need for financial experts. It’s the same with AI and technical writing. AI can be a valuable partner, but it’s not a replacement for human expertise, especially when it comes to bridging the gap between highly complex AI concepts and the users who need to understand them.
It’s the case that AI is becoming a useful tool in technical writing workflows. It can help streamline content generation and publication processes. However, you still need expert technical writers who understand the technology, can identify when AI-generated content is incorrect, and can make the necessary corrections to ensure accuracy and clarity.
AI may change the way we work, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for expertise. Technical writers are here to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the people who use it.
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