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How exposed to AI is a Technical Writer?

Of the 15 tasks O*NET lists for technical writers, 5 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 1 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Documentation DesignerDocumentation SpecialistEngineering WriterInformation DeveloperMedical WriterNarrative WriterRequirements AnalystTechnical CommunicatorTechnical Writer
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
15
tasks rated for this occupation
42%
hold a degree, from a survey of 24
48k
people do this job in the US
4 of 40
least protected in arts, design and media

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

5
  • Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology
  • Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel
  • Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material
  • Develop or maintain online help documentation
  • Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding

Only with software built on top

9
  • Maintain records and files of work and revisions
  • Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods
  • Assist in laying out material for publication
  • Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail
  • Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material
  • Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment
  • Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material
  • Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence
  • Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication

Cannot be sped up

1
  • Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.