Technical writers face a paradox in 2026: AI promises to replace us while simultaneously becoming one of our most helpful tools. Here’s how I’ve navigated that paradox to reduce project completion time by up to 40% without sacrificing quality.
My AI workflow:
I use ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot as initial generators, not finished product creators. I provide the topic and objective and let AI produce an initial draft. Then the real work begins.
What I bring that AI can’t:
- User advocacy: I anticipate the questions users will ask. The stumbling blocks. The missing context. AI generates information. I generate understanding.
- Context reading: Copilot regularly suggests edits that can be contextually wrong. Recognizing that difference requires human judgment.
- Style guide enforcement: Consistency across documentation requires knowing the guide AND knowing when to apply it. AI doesn’t do this reliably.
- Fact checking: AI sounds confident when it’s wrong. I verify everything.
The truth about AI in documentation:
It’s a powerful first draft generator and a useful reviewer. It is not a technical writer.
What’s your experience using AI in your documentation workflow? I’d love to hear how other writers are navigating this issue.