How to Channel the Goddess of Wisdom in Your AI Collaborations

Crafting content with cunning in technical writing & content development

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Well, I’m back from a brief pause … after getting attacked by colds from two directions. My twin 5 year olds, and the college students in my classroom.

So I've been battling a persistent cold for the past five weeks, and while AI hasn't quite mastered the art of curing the common cold, it has been a valuable ally in other areas of my work.

When I'm under the weather, I focus on the most pressing tasks, like the book chapter I'm currently collaborating on for my academic work, which delves into the use of AI in technical editing, informed by interviews with industry practitioners.

Although I can't share the specifics until publication, I would like to offer some insights into how AI is enhancing creativity in technical writing, since that’s been front of mind.

There is a lot of talk about using AI to generate content from scratch or to personalize content down to the most granular level. But I believe enhancing creativity is the key area where AI is impacting technical writing work today. While it might not be the most revolutionary application of AI in the industry, it's certainly the most practical given current constraints.

Tom Johnson, a practitioner blogger, notes that AI is significationly accerlerating his documentation output, potentially even doubling his productivity (April 14, 2024). However, he also points out an important caveat: not everyone can simply input their company data and content into AI tools like Google Gemini or ChatGPT. Johnson also emphasizes that prompt engineering has a learning curve. From my experience so far, these are two of the biggest obstacles to tech writers’ implementation of AI in their work right now.

This is where focusing on the creative or ideation phase of writing becomes particularly valuable for content developers who are new to AI. By using AI to open up new writing options or gain fresh perspectives on content problems that don't require private company data or content, technical writers can start upskilling, as long as they stay aware and look for clever workarounds (something the goddess of wisdom can help us out with - more on that to come).

With companies enforcing strict data privacy measures and working to develop secure AI models, the most accessible application for writers today is using generative AI for creative tasks that steer clear of proprietary or sensitive data. This approach allows writers to explore new creative avenues while making complex information more accessible and engaging.

AI in the Ideation Process

One of the most accessible and impactful ways technical writers can leverage AI is during the ideation phase. This approach allows writers to explore new creative avenues while avoiding potential issues with proprietary data.

AI tools can offer diverse perspectives and generate new ideas. These tools act as brainstorming companions, helping writers break free from their own limitations and explore innovative approaches. By providing prompts and starting points, AI encourages writers to think outside the box and connect disparate ideas in novel ways.

It is much like one of my students said, “I can prompt AI to prompt me.”

It's worth noting that this use of AI in the ideation process connects directly to the rhetorical concept of invention. For those unfamiliar with rhetorical theory, invention is one of the five canons (or categories) of rhetoric, studied since Ancient Greece. While modern society often sees writing primarily as a way to communicate or store ideas, rhetoricians have long recognized writing as a method for generating new ideas.

Invention in rhetoric refers to the art of discovering and creating arguments or content. It's about finding what to say on a given topic. In the context of technical writing and AI, we're essentially using AI tools to augment our inventive capabilities, helping us discover new angles, perspectives, and ideas that we might not have considered on our own.

This connection between AI-assisted ideation and rhetorical invention underscores the potential of AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a partner in the creative process. It aligns with the broader concept of machine rhetorics, which focuses on imbuing large language models with rhetorical awareness and effectiveness through techniques such as prompt engineering and knowledge graph integration.

Let's look at a specific example of how AI can enhance the brainstorming process for technical documentation, embodying this modern approach to rhetorical invention.

Example Task: Generating User Guide Sections for a New Software Feature

Imagine you're tasked with creating a user guide for a new feature in a project management software. You want to ensure you're covering all potential user questions and scenarios. Here's how you can use AI to enhance your ideation process:

1. Define Your Context: Start by writing a brief description of the new feature and its primary functions. Anything you can share that does not violate company AI governance. (If that’s hard, check out the next section.)

2. Create a Structured Prompt: Develop a prompt that asks the AI to generate potential sections for your user guide. For example: "Based on the following feature description [insert your description], generate 10 potential sections for a user guide. Include sections that cover setup, basic usage, advanced features, troubleshooting, and best practices."

3. Generate and Review: Use an AI tool like ChatGPT to generate the list of sections. Review the output, noting any unexpected or innovative ideas.

4. Refine and Expand: Select the most relevant sections from the AI's suggestions. For each chosen section, ask the AI to expand with potential subsections or key points to cover.

5. Integrate with Your Expertise: Compare the AI-generated outline with your own ideas and knowledge of the feature. Combine the best elements to create a comprehensive and user-focused outline.

6. Validate with Stakeholders: Use this enhanced outline as a starting point for discussions with developers, product managers, and potential users to ensure you're covering all necessary aspects.

By using AI in this way, you're not relying on it to write the content, but rather to expand your thinking and ensure you're considering a wide range of user needs and scenarios. This approach can help you create more comprehensive and user-friendly documentation, while still leveraging your expertise and understanding of your audience.

Embracing Rhetorical Mêtis

As we explore creative ways to leverage AI in technical writing while respecting privacy constraints, it's worth connecting our discussion to a concept from ancient rhetoric: mêtis, In Greek mythology, mêtis, was the goddess of wisdom, cunning, and crafty thought.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, mêtis, in rhetoric represents the ability to adapt, improvise, and find clever solutions to complex problems. It's about being resourceful, flexible, and quick-thinking in the face of challenges. It's not just about generating text; it's about "hacking" workflows and complexity with creative problem-solving.

The most valuable trait of a technical writer in the AI era isn't the ability to generate text, but the capacity to creatively navigate complex systems, tools, and constraints. It's about finding clever workarounds, adapting to new technologies, and continuously refining our approaches to produce the best possible content.

By applying mêtis, to our use of AI, we're not just following prescribed methods or relying solely on AI-generated content. Instead, we're using our human ingenuity to find innovative ways to leverage AI tools while respecting privacy constraints and enhancing our creative processes.

Privacy and data security are paramount concerns when using AI tools in technical writing. However, this doesn't mean technical writers can't benefit from AI in their ideation process.

Here are some “cunning” approaches that respect privacy measures while still harnessing the power of AI for brainstorming and invention:

Use Generic Descriptions: Instead of inputting specific product details, create a generic description that captures the essence of what you're working on. For example, if you're writing about a new feature in a project management tool, you might describe it as "a collaboration feature for remote teams to share and edit documents in real-time."

Create Fictional Scenarios: Develop fictional but analogous scenarios that mirror the structure of your actual project. This allows you to explore ideas without revealing sensitive information. For instance, if you're documenting a financial software feature, you could create a scenario about a fictional bakery managing its inventory and sales.

Use Placeholder Names: Replace company-specific terms with placeholder names. For example, use "PRODUCT_X" instead of your actual product name, or "FEATURE_Y" for a specific feature. This allows you to structure your prompts effectively without revealing identifiable information.

Focus on Structure, Not Content: Use AI to brainstorm document structures, section headings, or potential user scenarios without delving into specific content. For example, "Generate an outline for a user guide about a new mobile app feature that enhances user privacy."

Leverage Public Domain Knowledge: Frame your prompts around publicly available information in your industry. This allows you to generate relevant ideas without using proprietary data. For instance, "What are common user pain points in project management software?"

Example Task: Brainstorming User Guide Sections for a New Privacy Feature

Let's say you're working on documentation for a new privacy feature in a social media app, but can't share specific details. Here's how you might approach it:

1. Create a Generic Description: "A new feature that gives users more control over who can see their posts and personal information."

2. Prompt for AI: "Generate 10 potential sections for a user guide about a new privacy control feature in a social networking app. Include sections covering setup, basic usage, advanced settings, and troubleshooting."

3. Review and Adapt: Use the AI-generated outline as a starting point, adapting it to fit your specific feature without revealing proprietary information.

By using these approaches, you can still benefit from AI's creative potential while respecting your company's privacy policies. It's crucial to never paste company-specific or copyright information into AI tools. This cautious approach, combined with creative workarounds, allows you to explore new ideas and perspectives while maintaining data security.

It just might take a little cunning.

One Creativity to Rule Them All

The integration of AI into technical writing is not a simple, one-size-fits-all solution. It's a nuanced process that requires strategic thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of both the writing process and the capabilities of AI tools. This complexity brings us full circle to the ancient rhetorical concept of mêtis, - the embodiment of cunning intelligence and adaptability.

The pressure to "upskill" and integrate AI into technical writing processes is real and growing. However, the path to effective implementation isn't always clear, especially given the constraints many writers face:

1. The vastness of the writing workflow, which AI cannot entirely replace

2. Company restrictions on AI use, particularly with sensitive data

3. Lack of tools or permissions to integrate AI effectively

In light of these challenges, how can technical writers embody métis in their approach to AI integration?

The key is to dissect your workflow and identify areas where AI can provide maximum impact with minimal effort. This approach aligns perfectly with the canons of rhetoric, demonstrating that the ancient art of persuasion remains relevant in our AI-driven world.

Ideation is only one part of the writing workflow (or canons of rhetoric):

1. Invention (Inventio): Use AI for ideation, brainstorming new content angles, or filling content gaps.

2. Arrangement (Dispositio): Leverage AI to optimize how information is structured and organized.

3. Style (Elocutio): Enhance your understanding and application of style guides with AI assistance.

4. Memory (Memoria): Use AI to keep track of essential information, freeing up cognitive resources for more complex tasks.

5. Delivery (Actio): Gain deeper insights into your audience and improve content delivery through AI-powered analytics.

By approaching AI integration through this rhetorical lens, technical writers can navigate the complexities of modern content creation while respecting the constraints of their work environments.

This is mêtis, in action - the clever application of knowledge and tools to overcome challenges and enhance our capabilities.

Mêtis,, in many ways, is the creative force that binds together all the canons of rhetoric. It represents the ability to navigate complex situations with wisdom and craft, to find clever solutions to challenging problems. In the context of AI and technical writing, metis manifests as the strategic approach to implementing AI in our workflows.

This offers opportunities to enhance creativity, streamline processes, and improve the quality of work. However, it also demands a proactive approach to learning, adaptation, and ethical consideration. By embracing mêtis,, technical writers can position themselves at the forefront of this technological change.

Let's remember that writing isn't just about generating text. It's about strategy, creativity, and the clever application of tools and knowledge to communicate effectively. Rhetoricians have known this for centuries, and it's a lesson that remains profoundly relevant in the age of AI.

How will you embody métis in your approach to AI and technical writing and content development? What area of your writing workflow provides the most value with the least amount of effort when it comes to AI integration?

By continually asking these questions and seeking innovative answers, we can ensure that the art of technical writing not only survives but thrives in the AI era.

⬇️ I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.