Mastering Technical Communication in the Era of AI

This presentation explores how engineers can leverage AI to communicate better—writing clearer documentation, explaining complex ideas, and building projects that are understood, not just built.

Transcript

1. Mastering Technical Communication in the Era of AI
2. why you should listen to me Electronic & Electrical Engineering student at Obafemi Awolowo University Driven by a mission to use AI, data, robotics, and clear communication to solve real problems and empower engineering communities Led major engineering trainings & technical events (IEEE OAU, RAIN-INN OAU) Published IEEE Researcher 4x Hackathon WInner Olamide Lawal em07_adoz
3. What Is Technical Communication? Why It Matters for Engineers How AI Is Transforming Communication Skills You Need in the AI Era Practical Examples Tools for Technical Communication How to Improve Today Final Thoughts & Takeaways Q&A table of content
4. Technical communication is the process of explaining complex technical ideas clearly, accurately, and professionally. It includes: Comprehensive Documentation Detailed Reports Peer-reviewed Research Papers Practical Tutorials & Guides Engaging Presentations Clear Engineering Explanations What Is Technical Communication?
5. Stand out during internships & job placements Collaborate better in teams Reduce misunderstanding and errors Document your projects professionally Contribute to global innovation Why It Matters for EngineerS: Your Competitive Advantage Strong technical communication is not just a soft skill; it's a foundational element for career success and impactful engineering.
6. The Paradigm Shift: AI's Influence on Communication Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally transforming how we create, consume, and understand technical content. It's a tool that reshapes the landscape, not replaces the craftsman. AI does NOT replace engineers. It replaces unclear, poorly structured communication.
7. How AI Supports Technical Communication Leverage AI to streamline your workflow and elevate the quality of your technical output. Drafting & Rewriting Quickly generate initial content and rephrase for clarity. Visual Translation Convert ideas into diagrams or structured tables. Explaining Complex Topics Break down difficult concepts into simpler terms. Grammar & Clarity Refine language, correct errors, and improve readability. Summaries & Research Condense lengthy texts and assist in information gathering. Content Organization Structure large volumes of information logically.
8. Essential Skills for Technical Communication in the AI Era To truly master technical communication, cultivate these core competencies: 1. Clarity Strive for communication that is simple, precise, and direct, leaving no room for ambiguity. 2. Structure Ensure a logical flow: start with the Problem, outline your Method, present Results, and conclude clearly. 3. Accuracy Always verify facts; remember that AI can sometimes "hallucinate" or provide incorrect information. 3. Audience Awareness Tailor your content to the specific knowledge and needs of your audience. 4. Ethical AI Use Utilize AI as an assistant, but always critically review and take ownership of the final output.
9. Practical Example: Transforming a Raw Idea with AI Taking a messy idea: “I built a traffic light system with Arduino” AI can help generate: A structured project summary Problem statement System design explanation Code explanation Technical diagram But you must verify and refine.
10. Tools for Technical Communication AI Writing & Clarity Tools Writing & Documentation Tools
11. Tools for Technical Communication Diagram, Visualization & Research Tools Developer Documentation Tools
12. Document every project (even small ones) Practice explaining one topic per day Use AI responsibly as a drafting assistant Build a writing portfolio (GitHub, Notion, Medium, LinkedIn) HOw to Improve Your Technical Communication TODAY
13. "AI gives you speed. Communication gives you impact. Your mind gives you originality." If you can explain your ideas clearly, you will always stand out. Final Thoughts
14. Olamide Lawal em07_adoz Thank You! Questions? Slides are available at: https://speakerdeck.com/em07adoz/mastering-technical-communication-in-the-era-of-ai