By Katy Morejon Portillo, Junior, English Major, Writing and Rhetoric Concentration and PTW Program Intern
Last night, George Mason University hosted its 10th Biannual Professional Development Forum, and it was nothing short of inspiring! Moderated by Dr. Heidi Lawrence, Director of Professional and Technical Writing Graduate Programs, the event brought together a dynamic mix of students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore the evolving impact of AI on technical writing.
The Speakers:
Each expert brought a unique lens to the discussion:
- Mitchell Cho (CEO, FedWriters) shared his initial apprehensions about AI potentially replacing technical writers and emphasized its value as a tool for enhancing productivity.
- Kelly Kaiser (Human Capital Manager, Accenture Federal Services) highlighted how AI supports learning and development.
- Maria Fitzpatrick (Director of Business Development, Ginkgo Bioworks) spoke on using AI as a "co-conspirator" in proposal writing while acknowledging concerns about job displacement.
- Doug Eyman (GMU Faculty) brought forward research-based ethical considerations about AI’s broader societal impacts.
- Jesse Kirkpatrick (Co-Director, Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center) delved into his hands-on use of AI in teaching and robotics research.
- Jessica McCaughey (GWU Instructor and writing consultant) discussed ethical issues such as environmental costs and embedded biases in AI systems.
- Anastasia Pestova (GMU PhD Student) shared her research on race, rhetoric, and technology, emphasizing the importance of adapting education to AI advancements.
Key Themes Explored
- AI as a Productivity Booster: Speakers showcased how AI enhances content creation, editing, and research.
- Human Expertise Remains Vital: The consensus? AI complements, never replaces, critical thinking, creativity, and expertise.
- Ethical Implications: Topics ranged from AI's environmental impact to biases and misinformation risks.
- Educational Adaptation: The need to equip future professionals with AI-savvy skills and ethical frameworks took center stage.All speakers emphasized the growing need for writers to be able to work with AI in their jobs and responsibilities that lie ahead.
In hiring, Mr. Cho noted that he would be wary of a student who said that they either could not or would not use AI in the writing process since AI tools have become crucial to their work processes; Ms. Fitzpatrick further noted that some team members in her organization had worked to build powerful AI tools that had helped create efficiencies for writing teams that ultimately reduced the total number of writers needed. On the other hand, all speakers emphasized that an all-encompassing replacement of writers by AI was not possible or desirable. Human knowledge, expertise, and review of AI material was always necessary. Thus, technical writers need to balance being prepared for using AI in smart ways to augment their work, not replace writing–and writers!--entirely.
As I sat listening to the speakers talk about AI in their professional lives, it made me reflect on how to best use AI as a student. I want to work in industries that encourage the use of technology along with content creation and development, so I have to learn these tools. But, what are the limits for using AI? How do I keep developing an original voice and my own writing when so many AI tools provide writing shortcuts and efficiencies? How do I keep a personal connection to my work?
The forum ended on a high note with an engaging Q&A session, where students asked thoughtful questions about specific AI tools and strategies for responsible adoption. The forum underscored the importance of approaching AI as both a challenge and an opportunity. By prioritizing ethical use and continuous learning, professionals can harness AI to elevate their craft while safeguarding the integrity of the field.
Kudos to all the speakers and attendees for contributing to this crucial dialogue! And a huge, huge thanks to Dr. McKinley Green, Rafaella Silva, and the English department for supporting the logistics for this event!
Let’s continue exploring the future of technical writing together.
December 11, 2024