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AI exposure Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media

Will AI replace technical writers?

Technical Writers. US occupation 27-3042.

47.5%

of the time technical writers spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of technical writers' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 15 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 98% of them.Further along than 98% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

One of the most exposed jobs in the country.Front of the queue for an AI assistant.

What AI already does for technical writersWhat technical writers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 15 tasks for technical writers. AI use at work shows up in 6 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.Core task mostly automated 1.00
  2. Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.Core task mostly automated 0.96
  3. Assist in laying out material for publication.Core task mostly automated 0.90
  4. Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.Core task mostly automated 0.87
  5. Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.Core task automated and assisted 0.83
  6. Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.Core task automated and assisted 0.77

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

9 of the 15 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.Core task
  • Maintain records and files of work and revisions.Core task
  • Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
  • Develop or maintain online help documentation.
  • Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
  • Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
Show the other 3
  • Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
  • Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
  • Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.

How that compares

Among the 34 arts, design, entertainment, sports and media occupations, technical writers rank 1. The group averages 14.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 12Information Security Analysts 48.6%
  2. 13Web Developers 48.0%
  3. 14Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other 47.9%

Just below

  1. 16Computer User Support Specialists 46.9%
  2. 17Desktop Publishers 46.4%
  3. 18Data Scientists 46.1%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.