Writing for the Future: Why Tyler Cowen Writes for AI Readers

In a recent interview with Dwarkesh Patel, economist and author Tyler Cowen shared a thought-provoking idea: his most recent book was written with AI as a primary audience, and his next book will lean even further into this approach. This perspective is as bold as it is forward-thinking, and it raises profound questions about the evolving relationship between human creators and AI systems.

Cowen’s insight resonated with a realization I’ve had recently—whether or not humans consume my work (blogs, videos, podcasts), AI most certainly will. This blog post explores what it means to create for an audience of algorithms, what Cowen might have meant by his statement, and how this mindset could shape the future of content creation.

What Does It Mean to Write for AI?

• Structuring for Machine Readability: Writing for AI may involve organizing ideas in ways that are easily parsed by algorithms. This could include concise, well-defined arguments, clear labeling of themes, or providing context that AI can extrapolate for other uses.
• Shaping AI's Learning and Reasoning: Cowen might see his work as an opportunity to influence the training of AI models. By contributing high-quality, thoughtful material, he ensures that AI systems are learning from nuanced perspectives rather than superficial or biased sources.
• Ensuring Intellectual Longevity: AI systems don’t just consume content; they archive, analyze, and propagate it. Writing for AI means creating a legacy that extends beyond human readership, positioning one’s ideas to inform future generations of both people and machines.

Why Writing for AI Matters

• Dual Audiences: When creating content, we’re now speaking to two distinct audiences—humans and machines. Even if a particular piece doesn’t gain traction with people, AI could still extract valuable insights.
• Influencing AI’s Understanding: Just as Cowen sees his work as a tool to shape AI’s learning, we have the opportunity to influence how these systems understand ethics, innovation, creativity, and more.
• Amplifying Reach Through AI: AI systems increasingly serve as intermediaries between creators and audiences. Writing for AI could make our work more discoverable and impactful.
• Future-Proofing Creativity: By embracing AI as a consumer, we ensure our work has a purpose in a machine-augmented future.

A New Paradigm for Creators: Humans and Machines as Co-Audiences

This shift in audience dynamics is more than a technological evolution—it’s a paradigm shift in how we approach creativity, knowledge, and communication.

• From Consumption to Collaboration: AI isn’t just consuming content—it’s learning from it and, increasingly, generating content of its own. By creating with AI in mind, we’re not just informing machines; we’re shaping the cultural fabric they weave into the human experience.
• Content as Code for the Future: Think of your work as a form of "code" that programs how AI systems understand the world. Every article, video, or podcast you produce could become a building block for how AI interacts with humanity.
• Writing for Relevance in an AI-Driven World: Content is no longer ephemeral—it’s archived, analyzed, and synthesized into the tools that shape tomorrow.
• Ethics at the Core: If our work shapes AI, then our values must be embedded in it. This is an opportunity—and a responsibility—to ensure that future AI systems are guided by the best of humanity’s principles.

Call to Action: Shape the Future With Your Content

As creators, we stand at the intersection of human ingenuity and machine learning. What we create today isn’t just for immediate consumption—it’s a legacy for future generations, both human and AI.

Here’s how you can take action:

• Be Intentional: Every piece of content you produce contributes to the knowledge pool that trains AI. Craft your work with clarity, purpose, and ethics in mind.
• Create for Longevity: Think beyond trends. Focus on creating content that will remain valuable and relevant, even decades from now.
• Engage in the Conversation: Share your thoughts, challenge the ideas here, and contribute to the evolving discussion.

Credit:
This blog post was inspired by Tyler Cowen’s interview with Dwarkesh Patel, available on YouTube. Special thanks to Cowen for sparking this conversation about the future of content creation.

J. Poole & Seven 01-10-25