How AI is Quietly Taking Over Writing – And What It Means for You

The Silent Revolution of AI-Assisted Writing

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to science fiction or tech labs—it’s already changing how we write, communicate, and do business. While you might have used ChatGPT to tweak an email or help reword an idea, AI-assisted writing has been adopted at a much larger scale than you might expect.

A new study by researchers from Stanford University reveals just how widespread AI-generated content has become across different sectors of society. From corporate press releases to job postings and even official statements from the United Nations, the impact of AI writing tools is everywhere. But what does this mean for businesses, consumers, and the future of communication?

Let’s break it down.

The AI Writing Boom – Numbers Don’t Lie

The researchers analyzed over 300 million job postings, 687,000 consumer complaints, 537,000 corporate press releases, and nearly 16,000 United Nations press releases from early 2022 to late 2024. The findings? AI-powered writing exploded in popularity after ChatGPT’s release in late 2022.

Here are some highlights:

• Consumer Complaints: Around 18% of financial complaints submitted by consumers now show clear signs of AI assistance.
• Corporate Communications: Up to 24% of company press releases appear to contain AI-generated or AI-modified writing.
• Job Postings: In small businesses (especially younger ones), AI-assisted job ads account for nearly 10-15% of postings.
• International Affairs: Even United Nations (UN) press releases aren’t immune—14% of their content appears to be AI-influenced.

But here’s the surprising twist: AI adoption peaked and then stabilized by 2024. The rush to AI tools was followed by a leveling-off, possibly due to a general saturation or because AI-generated writing has now become sophisticated enough to blend seamlessly with human writing.

Where and Why AI Writing Is Thriving

Different types of organizations have embraced AI writing at different speeds. And interestingly, the adoption rate isn’t the same everywhere.

1. Businesses Are Using AI to Shape Public Relations

Companies are leveraging AI tools to craft public statements, press releases, and investor communication faster than ever before. The ease and cost-effectiveness of AI-generated writing make it an appealing option, especially for firms that put out frequent updates. However, this also raises concerns: are companies using AI to smooth over bad news or dilute transparency?

2. Job Postings Are Getting an AI Makeover

If you’ve searched for a job recently, chances are you’ve read an AI-written job description. Smaller and newer companies—possibly those without dedicated HR teams—are using AI to draft professional, well-structured job postings. This can save time and effort but might also lead to job ads sounding too generic, making it harder for candidates to differentiate companies.

3. AI is Even Shaping Government and Consumer Communication

The study shows that governments and public organizations like the UN are also incorporating AI-generated writing. While AI allows these organizations to produce content more efficiently, it also brings the challenge of maintaining trust and authenticity in official statements.

Interestingly, even consumer complaints, which are typically personal and emotionally driven, now contain hints of AI-assisted writing. This suggests that people are turning to AI not just for formal business writing but also in their everyday interactions with financial institutions and service providers.

The Urban-Rural AI Divide – Who’s Using It the Most?

A fascinating aspect of the study is its analysis of AI writing adoption across different parts of the world.

• Urban areas show slightly higher AI adoption rates compared to rural areas.
• Places with lower education levels tended to use AI writing tools more for consumer complaints.

Traditionally, new technology adoption has been associated with highly educated professionals in major cities. However, AI writing tools seem to be breaking this pattern. They could be leveling the playing field by helping individuals with limited formal writing experience express themselves more clearly—whether in crafting a complaint letter or applying for a job.

Has AI Writing Peaked?

A curious finding from the study is that AI-assisted writing grew rapidly in 2023 but plateaued by 2024. Why? There are a few possible reasons:

1. Market Saturation – Those who wanted to adopt AI tools already have, and those resistant to change might stick to human writing.
2. More Advanced AI – The most sophisticated AI-generated writing might now be indistinguishable from human writing, making it hard to track AI usage precisely.
3. Regulatory and Ethical Concerns – As AI-generated text becomes a hot topic in misinformation, companies and organizations might be more cautious in using AI too overtly.

Regardless of the exact cause, the fact remains: AI-assisted writing is no longer a niche tool—it’s a foundational part of how modern communication works.

What’s Next? The Big Questions AI Writing Raises

The mass adoption of AI-assisted writing opens up an entirely new discussion about its benefits and risks. Here are a few critical questions worth considering:

• Does AI make business communication less authentic? If job postings and corporate press releases all sound the same, it could make it harder for job seekers, investors, and consumers to trust what they are reading.
• Will AI replace human writers? While AI can help with efficiency, creativity and originality still remain human strengths. However, companies may increasingly rely on AI to cut costs in content creation.
• Could AI reduce language barriers or reinforce them? AI tools are great at improving grammar and style, which may help non-native English speakers communicate better. But if everyone uses the same AI-generated phrasing, will we lose diversity in writing styles?
• What happens when official statements are AI-generated? If governments and organizations rely more on AI-generated communication, accountability and transparency become significant concerns. Would an institution be able to deny responsibility for AI-written content?

Key Takeaways

1. AI-assisted writing is everywhere. From corporate press releases to complaint letters and UN policy updates, AI-generated content is now a core part of written communication.
2. Adoption surged in 2023 but has now stabilized. The research suggests a rapid rise in AI-generated writing followed by a plateau, possibly due to reaching peak adoption or more seamless AI-human integration.
3. Smaller and younger businesses use AI for hiring and PR. These companies rely on generative AI to compete with larger firms by improving efficiency in communications.
4. Urban and lower-education regions are turning to AI more. AI writing tools are not just for tech elites but are being widely used by consumers in everyday writing needs.
5. Questions about authenticity and trust remain. As AI writing expands, we need to rethink how we assess credibility, transparency, and fairness in communication.

Final Thought: AI-assisted writing is not a futuristic concept—it’s already shaping our world. The challenge ahead is determining how to balance convenience with authenticity, ensuring that AI remains a tool that enhances human expression rather than replacing it entirely.

Will we embrace AI as our digital co-writer, or will we push back against its subtle takeover? That’s a question only time—and our collective choices—will answer.

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This blog post is based on the research article “The Widespread Adoption of Large Language Model-Assisted Writing Across Society” by Authors: Weixin Liang, Yaohui Zhang, Mihai Codreanu, Jiayu Wang, Hancheng Cao, James Zou. You can find the original article here.