Is AI Content Creation a Threat or an Opportunity for Content Writers?

Is AI Content Creation a Threat or an Opportunity for Content Writers?

‍

If you work in digital marketing, you're aware of the increased presence of AI content on the internet. Some business owners believe ChatGPT and similar AI tools can replace content writers for good and help them avoid paying for high-quality human-written texts. On the other hand, some writers are using this opportunity to get paid for articles that an algorithm has written instead of them.

But what does this rapid evolution mean for content writers? Will they become unnecessary in the near future, or is there a way to use AI to your advantage and remain a paid content specialist?

‍

The Rise of AI in Content Writing

‍

Since they became available, AI writing tools have proven that they can produce content way more efficiently than humans. Analysing vast datasets to understand the product or a topic better doesn't take long, and the algorithm already knows how to mimic human writing styles.

This makes it easier for business owners and marketing managers to meet their content deadlines without spending much, or any, money. Similar tasks would likely take a team of writers a few days to complete and require a bigger budget.

But, with AI writing, you also lose creativity and human connection in your articles, lowering the value of your website. And, you're at risk of getting penalised by Google for posting AI-generated content.

The Threat: How AI Challenges Content Writers

‍

Job Security and Role Redefinition

Job security is the first worry most people have when they hear about the powers of AI. Since AI can produce content much faster, some businesses use algorithms for mundane tasks that don't require much creativity.

Decline in Perceived Value

AI tools are there to produce basic content. Naturally, their price is proportional to the quality they offer. Still, the availability of such affordable writing devalues the work of human experts with years of experience in the field. This happens when clients value quantity over quality, a practice that usually doesn't bring long-term SEO results.

The writer, or the content agency, must convince their clients that long-term results are worth the investment and wait, as they will bring organic traffic and increased value to the site.

Increased Competition

We've all heard of SEO specialists, project managers, and social media experts who have become content writers overnight. Unfortunately, many people are using their connections in the industry to advertise themselves as writers while using AI to generate their content. It has become more difficult for business owners to recognise expertise in a world where everyone claims to be an expert.

The Opportunity: How Writers Can Thrive with AI

‍

Many writers view AI as a competitor and ultimately refuse to work with it. However, if used correctly, AI tools can help human writers improve their skills and increase the value of their work.

Streamlining the Content Creation Process

With large projects, figuring out the best way to approach all tasks may be overwhelming. If you don't have experience in project management, this can take too long. Instead of wasting your time on non-creative parts of the project, let AI do it for you.

‍

ChatGPT can divide your plan into stages and set realistic deadlines based on client instructions; it can also finish more technical tasks in the content, like fixing capitalisation, changing table columns, etc.

Enhancing Creativity

Sometimes, you just can't think of the perfect topic for your article. Or, you're very close to having it, but can't seem to figure out the perfect phrasing. In these cases, AI tools can give a hand.

Don't rely on ChatGPT to complete your content plan, but when writer's block hits, let it generate some suggestions that may spark an original idea. Just seeing your idea in different wording can inspire you to write from a new angle or in a specific tone, which can often be enough to alter an article completely.

Upskilling and Specialisation

Many writers have turned into editors after ChatGPT became widely available. The many business owners who used AI tools to generate content for their websites quickly realised that some adjustments were needed to be successful.

And those with experience in writing are perfect for making these changes. AI struggles to recognise audience preferences and often has trouble reflecting a brand's image. When businesses want to send a consistent message through all their channels, using human writers is necessary.

Ethical Considerations for Writers Using AI

When working with AI tools, writers must be transparent with their employers. Some businesses require completely human-written content and don't want to worry about the consequences of working with AI. So, transparency is key for the relationship to remain fruitful for both parties.

Additionally, AI-generated outputs can often include misinformation or fall under plagiarised content, which should never be the case with human-written articles. So, if you're using AI, make sure your editing and fact-checking are rigorous.

Conclusion: Balance Is Key

Balance is often the key to success. The principle applies to AI and content writing as well. Though these programs still can't replace human writers, they shouldn't be viewed as the enemy. Instead, high-quality writers should use AI to improve their skills and easily create more valuable content.

The future likely brings even more sophisticated AI tools, but those who learn to use them to their advantage should not worry about future employment. Remain creative, respect your client's wishes, and produce the required high-quality content in the agreed time frame, and you'll have no trouble finding writing jobs in 2025.

Or, if you're a business owner, contact Content Lab and let experts help you with your writing and editing needs.