AI has taken the world by storm, seemingly impacting every aspect of our lives. Undoubtedly it offers huge advantages by quickly offering answers, ideas and images assimilated from global internet sources. Many people are concerned about its potential to replace humans in some roles. Is this true of technical writing?
AI can generate well-informed research and craft all forms of content. With some versions, you can dictate the tone of voice and writing style needed. You can instruct which terms or phrases you would like included or excluded. On the surface, this appears to tick the boxes needed for technical writing. But how truly helpful would AI-generated technical documentation be?
At Orchid Information Systems, we believe a hybrid approach works very well. The speed and flexibility of AI are hugely beneficial. However, AI is not infallible. Human input is definitely required. Technical writers are still essential to producing effective technical documentation.
Key to the success of technical writing is consistency, clarity and content. How does a human technical writer complement AI in these important aspects?
- Consistency – AI helps restructure information and apply consistent formatting, saving valuable time. It’s useful for producing succinct writing, distilling a writer’s text into a more concise version. Best of all, it can achieve consistency across a great number of documents very quickly, a huge help when producing complex technical documentation. A technical writer’s unique input is applying consistency across technical publications within the company’s processes or product range.
- Clarity – a technical writer excels at knowing how to convey a complex message to users with total clarity. This includes using relevant language appropriate to the end user, incorporating or removing industry jargon and internal terminology as needed. They signpost users to supporting content as needed, such as videos, exploded parts diagrams or illustrations. AI does not have this additional awareness and knowledge. How does it know what makes sense to the reader? Human checks remain essential.
- Content – AI generates responses using information already available online. Creating truly original and directly relevant content requires the skill of a professional technical writer. Time is taken to understand the purpose and range of the technical writing required. In addition, a technical writer has a direct understanding of the process involved, ensuring accuracy. By accessing existing details, AI offers both incorrect and accurate writing. It can’t check its work for factual accuracy, whereas a technical writer can.
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- Compliance – a professional technical writer takes time to understand the guidance and standards that are relevant, such as health and safety and quality control. Applying this knowledge is crucial to the success of the technical writing involved.
In summary, AI offers some valuable time-saving qualities to support a technical writer, especially gathering raw data and ensuring consistent formatting throughout technical documentation. However, it simply can’t replace a technical writer … yet.
Would you value tailored technical writing for your products or processes? Talk to the experts at Orchid. Arrange an initial discussion without obligation. Discover a professional technical writer’s winning edge over AI.
