Why Understanding AI Deeply Matters for Writers
A perspective shift
In the early 90s, spreadsheets revolutionized how businesses operated.
Suddenly, analysis that took days could be done in hours. Complex calculations became simple. Business insights that were previously impossible became accessible.
Over time, three types of professionals emerged:
1. The Basics Keepers
They learned just enough to keep up. Basic formulas, creating simple charts, and calling it a day.
2. The Power Users
They went further, mastering functions, formulas, and pivot tables. They became the go-to Excel people on their teams.
3. The System Builders
A rare few mastered it so thoroughly they built entire business systems: automated reporting, inventory management, financial forecasting.
They didn’t just use Excel—they transformed what was possible with it.
Today, we’re at the Excel moment with AI
Soon, knowing how to use AI will be as essential for writers as knowing how to type or use Google Docs—because the advantages are too significant to ignore.
And just like before, three kinds of writers will emerge:
1. The Basics Keepers
Writers who learn just enough to keep up. They’ll use prompts like “Give me 5 ideas for...” or “Rewrite this paragraph...” and settle for surface-level results.
2. The Power Users
Writers who learn to craft better prompts and guide AI with intention. They’ll get sharper outputs and better drafts.
3. The System Builders
A select few who go deeper. They’ll build AI-powered systems that transform how they write.
What’s Possible When You Go Deeper
Let me share what’s possible when we go deep into using AI for writing.
Imagine taking hundreds of Reddit comments from your niche—places where your audience is openly discussing their challenges.
Instead of manually analyzing this goldmine of information, you build a simple AI system using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). It combines the creative capabilities of AI with external data sources to deliver precise, relevant, and trustworthy results.
In minutes, this system identifies patterns you’d never spot on your own: recurring frustrations, specific questions no one’s answering, and unique angles your competitors are missing.
Suddenly, your next article on productivity isn’t another cookie-cutter list of tips. It’s laser-focused on the struggles your readers are actually facing.
Why Writers Are Built for This
Here’s something I’ve noticed after working with AI for three years: the real barrier isn’t technical complexity—it’s how these concepts are presented.
When someone says, “Connect an API to automate your workflow” or “Implement a RAG system for better content generation,” it sounds overwhelming—like something you’d need a computer science degree to even attempt.
But learning these tools is easier than you think.
Yes, having a programming background helps—I won’t deny that.
But today, you can literally ask AI to explain a concept to you like you’re five. The barrier to entry has never been lower.
And as a writer, you’re already ahead of the game.
Why? Because the skills that make you a great writer are the same ones that help you master AI.
As a writer, you know how to turn messy research or rough ideas into clear, structured pieces.
AI workflows follow the same logic: organized inputs lead to better outputs. If you can organize notes for an article, you can organize inputs for AI.
Writing involves taking big, messy ideas and distilling them into clear, actionable steps.
AI workflows are no different:
You break a problem into parts.
You guide the AI step by step.
If you can outline an article, you can outline a workflow.
The Path Forward
This moment feels big because it is big.
We’re in the middle of a shift that’s as fundamental as the introduction of word processors or search engines. In a few years, using AI won’t be optional—it will be the default.
It will amplify the ones who know how to use it well.
Writers who can think better because AI handles the busywork.
Writers who can research better because AI uncovers insights no one else is seeing.
Writers who can create better because they’re focused on their ideas—not getting stuck in the weeds.
The ones who thrive will be the ones who go deeper.
Want personalized help implementing AI in your writing process?
I offer 90-minute sessions where we build your custom AI content system together.