JOB REPORT / 27-3043 · 36 TASKS

Writers and Authors.

Can AI do the work of Writers and Authors?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast,…
Write to customers in their terms and on their…
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Writers and Authors work. It covers the 35 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

35 of 36 tasks reviewed

This job has 36 core tasks. We went through 35 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Writers and Authors actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
AI DOES
Drafts headlines, taglines, and ad copy variations in seconds
YOU DO
Shape the emotional hook and make sure the message truly fits the brand and audience
TASK 02
Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.
AI DOES
Suggests simpler words, adjusts reading level, and drafts audience-targeted copy
YOU DO
Trust your lived understanding of what makes a real person feel seen and spoken to
TASK 03
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
AI DOES
Searches databases, summarizes sources, and pulls relevant facts fast
YOU DO
Judge which details feel real and shape the story's voice
TASK 04
Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
AI DOES
Suggests edits, rewrites sentences, checks grammar and clarity, and flags inconsistencies
YOU DO
Trust your voice and judgment on what the writing should say and feel
TASK 05
Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
AI DOES
Scans trend reports, summarizes survey data, and suggests promotional angles fast
YOU DO
Judge which creative direction fits the brand and audience best
TASK 06
Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
AI DOES
Explains copyright law, fills out form drafts, and answers questions about the process
YOU DO
Review the final form, sign it, and submit it yourself through the official copyright office
TASK 07
Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
AI DOES
Formats manuscripts, drafts query letters, and checks submission guidelines
YOU DO
Choose the right publishers and shape your pitch to match your unique voice
TASK 08
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
AI DOES
Searches archives, summarizes sources, and pulls key facts or quotes quickly
YOU DO
Decide which details carry emotional weight and fit your creative vision
TASK 09
Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
AI DOES
Drafts application descriptions, explains copyright steps, and fills in standard form fields
YOU DO
Review all legal details, sign official documents, and submit filings yourself
TASK 10
Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
AI DOES
Drafts passages, suggests structure, brainstorms ideas, and fixes grammar
YOU DO
Bring your real voice, original stories, and human experience to the page
TASK 11
Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
AI DOES
Formats manuscripts, drafts query letters, and researches submission guidelines
YOU DO
Decide which publishers fit your voice and shape your pitch to match your artistic vision
TASK 12
Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
AI DOES
Summarizes customer reviews, competitor positioning, and market data to surface likely selling points
YOU DO
Run real interviews and decide which features connect with real people's feelings and needs
TASK 13
Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.
AI DOES
Brainstorms concepts, drafts script outlines, and suggests story or ad angles on demand
YOU DO
Lead the room, read the team's energy, and shape ideas through real conversation
TASK 14
Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
AI DOES
Drafts passages, suggests word choices, fixes grammar, and helps beat writer's block
YOU DO
Bring your unique voice, personal truth, and creative vision to every piece
TASK 15
Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
AI DOES
Brainstorms themes, suggests plot structures, drafts character profiles, and offers dialogue options
YOU DO
Trust your own lived experience and unique voice to decide what the story is really about
TASK 16
Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.
AI DOES
Drafts prep questions, summarizes product info, and suggests copy length or style options
YOU DO
Lead the actual conversation and read the room to align creative direction with what stakeholders really need
TASK 17
Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
AI DOES
Drafts prep notes, suggests questions, and summarizes meeting takeaways
YOU DO
Show up, listen well, and read the room during the real conversation
TASK 18
Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
AI DOES
Suggests edits, generates draft options, summarizes feedback, and helps align different writing styles
YOU DO
Build creative trust, negotiate ideas, and make shared artistic decisions with your co-writers
TASK 19
Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
AI DOES
Summarizes feedback, drafts talking points, and suggests revision options before or after meetings
YOU DO
Show up to the conversation, read the room, and make creative calls only you can own
TASK 20
Teach writing classes.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plans, generates writing prompts, and gives grammar feedback on student work
YOU DO
Bring lived experience, read the room, and inspire students in the moment
TASK 21
Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
AI DOES
Drafts ideas, suggests edits, and sparks new directions to share with collaborators
YOU DO
Bring your voice, creative chemistry, and real relationship with your writing partner
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows.
AI DOES
Generates jokes, sketches, and comedic concepts quickly
YOU DO
Know what's actually funny to real people
About this analysis
59% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 23SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
AI DOES
Generates verses, rhymes, and poetic structures quickly
YOU DO
Craft authentic voice and emotional truth
About this analysis
58% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 24SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.
AI DOES
Rewrites lyrics to match rhythm and vocal range
YOU DO
Feel the emotion and artistic intent
About this analysis
58% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 25SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
AI DOES
Suggests edits for grammar, style, and structure
YOU DO
Judge what serves the audience best
About this analysis
52% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 26SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
AI DOES
Suggests edits for grammar, style, and structure
YOU DO
Judge what serves the audience best
About this analysis
52% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 27SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
AI DOES
Generates project templates and initial task breakdowns
YOU DO
Prioritize what matters most to stakeholders
About this analysis
44% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 28SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
AI DOES
Generates project templates and sorts materials
YOU DO
Set priorities and adapt to real needs
About this analysis
44% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 29SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
AI DOES
Generates drafts and suggests creative directions
YOU DO
Choose what truly matters to you
About this analysis
41% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 30SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
AI DOES
Generates rhymes, meter, and first draft lyrics
YOU DO
Craft emotion that moves the audience
About this analysis
41% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 31SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
AI DOES
Generates drafts and suggests content structures
YOU DO
Shape the voice and strategic message
About this analysis
36% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 32SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
AI DOES
Generates message variants across different tones and channels
YOU DO
Choose what feels right for your brand
About this analysis
35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 33SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
AI DOES
Generates campaign concepts and ad copy variations
YOU DO
Choose the right creative direction
About this analysis
30% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 34SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
AI DOES
Generates dozens of name options and slogan variations
YOU DO
Pick what resonates with real customers
About this analysis
24% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 35SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Present drafts and ideas to clients.
AI DOES
Creates slides, talking points, and visual mockups
YOU DO
Read the room and adapt on the fly
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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Use your judgment.

There are 35 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Writers and Authors
SOC code: 27-3043
Tasks reviewed: 35 of 36

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $76,910 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $76,830 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 47,940
Employed in Colorado: 1,300
Job outlook: +3.6% by 2034 · ~13,400 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.

Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.

Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.

Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.

Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.

Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.

Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.

Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.

Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.

Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.

Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.

Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.

Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.

Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.

Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.

Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.

Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.

Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.

Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.

Teach writing classes.

Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.

Write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows.

Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.

Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.

Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.

Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.

Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.

Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.

Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.

Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.

Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.

Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.

Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.

Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.

Present drafts and ideas to clients.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.