Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

AI Rivalry as a Craft: How Resisting and Embracing Generative AI Reshape Writing Professions

Rama Adithya Varanasi, Batia Mishan Wiesenfeld, Oded Nov

TL;DR

The paper probes how writing professionals respond to Generative AI by resisting or embracing its use, revealing four crafting strategies that reorganize identity and practice. Through 25 in-depth interviews analyzed with job crafting theory, it identifies two main pathways: human-driven resistance strengthens professional identity and niche carving, while GAI-driven adoption enhances workflows but introduces AI-managerial labor. The study highlights the nuanced balance between productivity gains and the risks of deprofessionalization, urging holistic success metrics and dialogue between resisters and embracers. Its findings advance understanding of GAI as a sociotechnical force shaping creative labor and craft a foundation for equitable work practices in AI-augmented writing.

Abstract

Generative AI (GAI) technologies are disrupting professional writing, challenging traditional practices. Recent studies explore GAI adoption experiences of creative practitioners, but we know little about how these experiences evolve into established practices and how GAI resistance alters these practices. To address this gap, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with writing professionals who adopted and/or resisted GAI. Using the theoretical lens of Job Crafting, we identify four strategies professionals employ to reshape their roles. Writing professionals employed GAI resisting strategies to maximize human potential, reinforce professional identity, carve out a professional niche, and preserve credibility within their networks. In contrast, GAI-enabled strategies allowed writers who embraced GAI to enhance desirable workflows, minimize mundane tasks, and engage in new AI-managerial labor. These strategies amplified their collaborations with GAI while reducing their reliance on other people. We conclude by discussing implications of GAI practices on writers' identity and practices as well as crafting theory.

AI Rivalry as a Craft: How Resisting and Embracing Generative AI Reshape Writing Professions

TL;DR

The paper probes how writing professionals respond to Generative AI by resisting or embracing its use, revealing four crafting strategies that reorganize identity and practice. Through 25 in-depth interviews analyzed with job crafting theory, it identifies two main pathways: human-driven resistance strengthens professional identity and niche carving, while GAI-driven adoption enhances workflows but introduces AI-managerial labor. The study highlights the nuanced balance between productivity gains and the risks of deprofessionalization, urging holistic success metrics and dialogue between resisters and embracers. Its findings advance understanding of GAI as a sociotechnical force shaping creative labor and craft a foundation for equitable work practices in AI-augmented writing.

Abstract

Generative AI (GAI) technologies are disrupting professional writing, challenging traditional practices. Recent studies explore GAI adoption experiences of creative practitioners, but we know little about how these experiences evolve into established practices and how GAI resistance alters these practices. To address this gap, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with writing professionals who adopted and/or resisted GAI. Using the theoretical lens of Job Crafting, we identify four strategies professionals employ to reshape their roles. Writing professionals employed GAI resisting strategies to maximize human potential, reinforce professional identity, carve out a professional niche, and preserve credibility within their networks. In contrast, GAI-enabled strategies allowed writers who embraced GAI to enhance desirable workflows, minimize mundane tasks, and engage in new AI-managerial labor. These strategies amplified their collaborations with GAI while reducing their reliance on other people. We conclude by discussing implications of GAI practices on writers' identity and practices as well as crafting theory.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 37 sections, 2 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. HCI and Creative Work
  4. Generative AI, HCI, and Creative Labor
  5. Job Crafting: A Theoretical Lens
  6. Methods
  7. Participant Recruitment and Demographics
  8. Participant Demographics
  9. Procedure
  10. Data Collection and Analysis
  11. Positionality
  12. Findings
  13. Expanding Role Through Human-Driven Expansion Strategies: Strengthening Identity, Skillsets, and Practices
  14. Strengthening Professional Identity & Ownership
  15. Expanding Skillsets & Practices
  16. ...and 22 more sections

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: The image illustrates four types of strategies observed among different writing professions. The x-axis represents the crafting orientation derived from Job Crafting theory Wrzesniewski_2001, differentiating approach crafting from avoidance crafting. The y-axis represents the attitude towards GAI, differentiating responses related to embracing GAI from responses resisting it.
  • Figure 2: Comparison of four strategies used by writing professionals in response to GAI. The left two columns represent resisting strategies, while the right two columns represent embracing strategies.