A Robot Wrote This?: An Empirical Study of AI's Applications in Writing Practices

Abstract

This study examines the emerging practice of using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to automatically generate content. Using the case study as methodology, this research aims to address the gap in the literature that little publication has been done in the field of technical and professional communication to investigate the wide applications of automated writing (AW) technologies. Composed of semi-structured interviews and a content assessment study, this project investigates how AW is embedded in the current writing practices in business, its effectiveness and potential impacts, and its strengths and drawbacks in comparison with human writers. The preliminary results of this study may provide advice for professional writers and technical communication programs on the core skills desired in the AW age.