How AI-Savvy Are You? A Quiz for Technical Writers

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  When asking AI to explain a complex technical concept, what approach works best?

  • A.
    Ask for the simplest possible explanation
  • B.
    Specify the target audience, desired depth, and include relevant context
  • C.
    Ask multiple separate questions about each aspect
  • D.
    Request only bullet points
• 2.
  What are the risks of NOT having your Help content findable by AI systems?

  • A.
    AI systems could provide users with inaccurate, outdated, or even competitor information instead of your official guidance
  • B.
    Your content will simply be harder for users to discover through traditional search engines, but AI itself won't directly use or misuse it
  • C.
    Your technical writers will have less data and feedback to improve the documentation itself, as AI won't be able to analyse its effectiveness.
  • D.
    There are no significant risks
• 3.
  What's the biggest risk when using AI for technical documentation?

  • A.
    It costs too much money
  • B.
    It might include outdated, incorrect, or fabricated technical information
  • C.
    It makes writing too easy
  • D.
    Loss of human touch and personalisation
• 4.
  How should technical writers prepare for the evolving AI landscape?

  • A.
    Focus only on learning new AI tools as they emerge
  • B.
    By delegating AI tasks to others
  • C.
    By continuously learning and adapting
  • D.
    Waiting until AI becomes more advanced
• 5.
  What is a potential ethical concern in using AI in technical writing?

  • A.
    Cost reduction
  • B.
    Bias in AI-generated content
  • C.
    Plagiarising content unknowingly
  • D.
    Faster content delivery
• 6.
  How can AI best assist in the *initial drafting phase* of technical documentation?

  • A.
    By completely writing entire complex manuals that are ready for immediate publication.
  • B.
    By generating outlines, first drafts of sections, or summaries based on provided source material or instructions.
  • C.
    By automatically translating technical jargon into plain language without human input.
  • D.
    AI is not yet useful for any drafting tasks in technical writing.
• 7.
  What is the most realistic role of a technical writer when integrating AI-generated content into documentation?

  • A.
    A simple proofreader, quickly scanning for typos.
  • B.
    A critical reviewer, editor, fact-checker, and integrator who ensures accuracy, appropriateness, and quality.
  • C.
    A bystander, as AI will soon handle all aspects of documentation.
  • D.
    Solely a prompt engineer, with no need to review the output.
• 8.
  When considering using AI to help *edit or refine existing* technical documentation, a key benefit could be:

  • A.
    Automatically verifying 100% of the technical accuracy of complex procedures.
  • B.
    Suggesting rephrasing for clarity, consistency, or a different target audience.
  • C.
    Designing the entire visual layout and branding of the documentation.
  • D.
    Eliminating the need for any human subject matter expert (SME) review.
• 9.
  Which of these tasks is currently a *strong candidate* for AI augmentation in a technical writer's workflow?

  • A.
    Conducting in-depth user interviews to understand information needs.
  • B.
    Brainstorming potential headings for a new documentation section or summarising lengthy meeting notes.
  • C.
    Making the final decision on what critical safety information to include or exclude.
  • D.
    Independently researching and verifying all factual claims in a new technology.
• 10.
  How could agentic AI affect technical writers?

  • A.
    By making the role of a human technical writer obsolete, as agents will independently handle all documentation creation and maintenance from start to finish
  • B.
    By potentially automating more complex, end-to-end documentation processes (like initial research from code/specs, drafting, formatting, and routing for review), shifting the TW's role more towards strategic oversight, defining agent goals/constraints, quality assurance, and handling complex exceptions.
  • C.
    By providing slightly better grammar and style suggestions than current non-agentic AI tools, without fundamentally changing workflows.
  • D.
    By requiring all technical writers to become expert AI programmers to build and manage these agents from scratch.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  AI Novice

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  Your journey into the world of AI is just beginning. I see you have a foundational understanding, which is a great start. My recommendation is to explore more about AI's role in technical writing by attending workshops or webinars. This will help you gain confidence and expand your knowledge. Consider joining online forums or communities where you can learn from others' experiences. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, and your curiosity is your greatest asset. Keep exploring, and soon you'll find yourself more comfortable and knowledgeable in this exciting field.
• 2.
  AI Enthusiast

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  Your enthusiasm for AI is evident, and you're on the right track. I can see that you have a good grasp of AI concepts and are eager to learn more. My advice is to dive deeper into specific AI tools that can aid in technical writing. Experiment with different software and see how they can streamline your workflow. Networking with other AI enthusiasts can also provide new insights and opportunities. Keep up the great work, and soon you'll be an AI expert in your field!
• 3.
  AI Proficient

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  Your proficiency in AI is impressive. I can tell that you have a solid understanding and are effectively integrating AI into your technical writing processes. My suggestion is to continue honing your skills by staying updated with the latest AI advancements. Consider contributing to AI-related projects or writing articles to share your knowledge. This will not only enhance your expertise but also position you as a thought leader in the industry. Keep pushing the boundaries, and you'll continue to excel.
• 4.
  AI Expert

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  Your expertise in AI is outstanding. I see that you are at the forefront of integrating AI into technical writing, and your skills are highly advanced. My recommendation is to mentor others who are just starting their AI journey. Sharing your knowledge will not only help others but also reinforce your own understanding. Consider leading workshops or writing a blog to showcase your expertise. Your leadership in this field is inspiring, and you are well-positioned to drive innovation in technical writing with AI.