Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your AI Writing Partner

By Andrew Marsula

Let’s set the record straight: AI is here to stay, whether we love it or not. Within instructional design circles, there’s a tendency to see artificial intelligence as a threat. But, let’s face it—AI won’t replace you any more than calculators replaced accountants or Adobe Illustrator replaced graphic designers. AI is simply a tool. One that, if put to work wisely, can take the repetitive tasks off your hands so you’re free to focus on building truly impactful learning experiences.

So, what does it look like to really integrate AI into your work? Your real task is learning how to leverage AI so you can work smarter. If you’re an instructional designer aiming to maximize the benefits of AI as your writing partner, you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through how to make AI your competitive edge, not your replacement.

What AI is (& isn’t)

First, let’s get something clear: AI is not magic. It doesn’t understand what you’re trying to do unless you tell it. AI doesn’t know your learners, your educational goals, or the organizational nuances. What AI can do for you is generate ideas, structure and content and support you as you move through the design process.

Think of AI as a writing partner who never gets tired and is always willing to help with brainstorming. But just like any partner, it needs guidance. You still have to bring the subject matter knowledge, design know-how, and the ability to connect with your learners.

Again, AI is a tool, not a replacement. Your creativity, insight, and connection with your learners cannot be replicated by an algorithm.

Getting started with AI for writing

You don’t need to be an AI expert to start using it effectively. Start small. Utilize AI to assist with brainstorming course titles or refining learning objectives in clearer language. Try feeding it a course outline and asking for a first draft of your eLearning content. Use it to simplify complex topics, create knowledge-check questions, or generate relatable examples that you can tweak for your audience.

The key is not to expect perfect results. Instead, use AI to help you get unstuck. Let it speed up the parts of your work that slow you down so you can spend more time on what really matters.

Good first tasks for AI

These use cases aren’t flashy or futuristic, but they’re practical. They give you back time and headspace, allowing you to focus on more in-depth design work:

• Rewriting learning objectives to match Bloom’s Taxonomy
• Generating quiz questions based on content outlines
• Creating dialogue starters for scenario-based learning
• Rephrasing content for different reading levels
• Summarizing long documents to find key points

These aren’t groundbreaking tasks, but they save time and help you work more efficiently, especially when you’re facing tight deadlines or repetitive requests.

Make it a two-way conversation

AI performs best when you treat it like any other work relationship. Be clear about what you want. Instead of saying, “Write a course about cybersecurity,” try:

“Create a short course outline on cybersecurity awareness for healthcare employees who need to complete it in 15 minutes. Include a short scenario and a knowledge check with three questions.”

If your prompt does not produce satisfactory results, ask follow-up questions or provide more direction. Refine your prompt like you’re editing a coworker’s draft. Be clear about what works, what needs fixing, and why. The better your input, the better your output.

Don’t be afraid to edit. The first draft from AI is just that: a draft. Take what’s useful, delete what isn’t, and shape it to fit your audience.

AI Is not a subject matter expert (SME)

Sure, it might be tempting to drop content into AI and hope it generates a course. But, that’s not how good instructional design works. You still need human insight to make it meaningful.

Use AI after you’ve worked with your SMEs. Once you’ve gathered the right information—like key messages, process steps, common learner questions, or examples—you can ask AI to help draft content, suggest assessments, or brainstorm visuals. Just don’t skip the human review.

Even better, think of AI as a behind-the-scenes partner while you work with SMEs. Your SMEs don’t need to use AI themselves. Instead, elicit their responses to shape your AI inputs. This keeps you in control of the process and saves time for both you and your SMEs where it matters most.

Keep the human element

Instructional design involves more than just delivering information: It is about crafting an experience that helps someone learn, grow, and succeed. Learners are real people. They have emotions, challenges, goals, and preferences.

AI can write a lesson and suggest a scenario, but it cannot replace the connection, empathy, and insight that a human instructional designer brings to the table. You know how to design content that makes someone feel seen and supported. You know when to add humor, when to encourage reflection, and when to simplify.

Your role as an instructional designer is more important than ever. As AI helps you move faster, your job is to make the content better. That might mean adding deeper interactivity, more meaningful assessments, or more inclusive examples. AI can help with speed. You can help with substance.

Don’t lose your voice

One of the risks of using AI for writing is losing your tone. AI tends to write in polished, but sometimes generic, language. It might sound smart, but not human. That’s why your editing matters.

Your learners respond to content that feels real and relatable. Don’t let AI strip that away. If the writing sounds robotic, rewrite it. Speak directly to your learners. Infuse your tone. Use contractions and short sentences. Be yourself.

AI is not your brand voice. You are.

The real value of AI in L&D

AI’s real value in L&D isn’t about helping you rush through your to-do list. AI gives you the time and energy for thoughtful, creative, and learner-centered work that actually makes a difference.

When you no longer need to handle repetitive tasks like drafting outlines or simplifying complex language, you can focus on deeper conversations with SMEs, testing learning experiences, and trying new ideas. AI frees you up to focus on content that truly connects with people and drives meaningful learning.

Instructional design has always been about people and how they learn. AI can help you move faster, but it can’t replace the insight and human connection you bring to the table.

Final thoughts

Remember, you are not being replaced. You are being empowered.

AI can help you move faster, write smarter, and think bigger. But only if you use it with intention. Only if you stay rooted in what matters most: the people for whom you’re designing learning.

The calculator didn’t take away the need for math teachers. Computers didn’t eliminate graphic designers. And AI won’t erase instructional designers. Instead, these tools made room for more strategy, more creativity, and more value.

The same is true here. Use AI to accomplish tedious work. Then, use your human insight to craft experiences that inspire, teach, and support real change.

The future of L&D isn’t artificial. It’s deeply human.

Image credit: bagira22