How AI Changes Document Creation

I spent years writing technical documents. PRDs, specs, API docs - you name it. Each document took hours to create. Now I use AI to help me write, and it's changed everything.

The Old Way of Creating Documents

Most of us know the pain of staring at a blank page. You need to write a PRD but don't know where to start. You spend hours formatting, structuring, and organizing content. Then you spend more time fixing typos and clarity issues.

A typical document creation process used to look like this:

1. Create an outline (30 minutes)
2. Write the first draft (3-4 hours)
3. Format the document (1 hour)
4. Review and edit (2 hours)
5. Get feedback and revise (2-3 hours)

That's a full day of work for one document. And that's if you don't get stuck.

How AI Changes This Process

AI doesn't replace your thinking. It helps you express your thoughts faster and more clearly. Here's what changes:

• You start with structure, not a blank page
• You can generate sections based on simple prompts
• Formatting happens automatically
• You can refine content through conversation

The new process looks more like this:

1. Tell the AI what document you need (2 minutes)
2. Review the generated structure (5 minutes)
3. Add your specific requirements through chat (30 minutes)
4. Review and edit the final document (30 minutes)

What took 8+ hours now takes about an hour. But the benefits go beyond just saving time.

Real Benefits Beyond Time Savings

Better Consistency

AI helps maintain consistent structure and terminology across all your documents. This matters when you work with teams or need to follow company standards.

Improved Clarity

AI can suggest clearer ways to express complex ideas. It helps identify when you're being too vague or using jargon that might confuse readers.

Reduced Mental Load

You don't need to remember every section a good PRD should have. The AI handles the structure while you focus on the content that matters.

Common Concerns

When I talk about using AI for documentation, I hear the same concerns:

"Won't the documents all sound the same?"

No. The AI uses your input to create the document. Your ideas, your requirements, your voice. The AI just helps structure and express them.

"What about accuracy?"

You still need to review the output. AI helps with form, but you provide the substance. You're still responsible for the accuracy of the content.

"Will this make technical writers obsolete?"

No. It makes them more valuable. Instead of spending time on formatting and basic writing, technical writers can focus on clarity, accuracy, and helping teams communicate better.

Getting Started with AI Document Generation

If you want to try AI for your documents, start small:

1. Use AI to create an outline for your next document
2. Try generating a single section based on your notes
3. Use AI to improve clarity in something you've already written

As you get comfortable, you can use AI for more complex documents. The goal isn't to replace your thinking. It's to help you express your thoughts more efficiently.

The Future of Document Creation

We're just at the beginning of what's possible. Future AI tools will:

• Connect directly to your data sources
• Generate diagrams and visualizations from text descriptions
• Adapt to your company's specific documentation style
• Help teams collaborate more effectively on complex documents

The best part? You don't need to wait for the future. Tools like resetDocs already offer many of these capabilities today.

Try It Yourself

The next time you need to create a document, ask yourself: "Do I need to start from scratch?" The answer is probably no. AI can help you get started, stay structured, and finish faster.

Your expertise is still essential. But now you can focus it on what matters most - the substance of your ideas, not the mechanics of writing them down.