#378: Why AI Change Is Happening Faster Than You Think (and What That Means for Writers)

If you're feeling like your freelance business is shifting beneath your feet—but you can’t quite name what’s changed—you’re not alone. Most writers sense something is different… but they don’t know how to respond strategically. In this solo episode, I dive into what I believe is the real driver behind the changes we’re seeing in the freelance writing space. Yes, the economy has cooled, and that’s still a big factor, since marketing is one of the first areas to get cut when business is slow. But AI is now playing a much bigger role than most writers realize. And the pace of disruption is happening much faster than we’re used to. I break down the data, the two dominant schools of thought about where AI is taking us, and the five predictions I’m making about the next 18 months. More importantly, I share what I believe you can do right now to adapt and thrive, no matter where you stand on the AI debate. Whether you’ve been avoiding AI, tinkering with tools randomly, or wondering how to respond to market shifts… this episode will help you make sense of it all and chart a path forward with confidence. What You’ll Learn What’s really behind the shrinking pool of freelance writing work, and how AI factors in The “two schools of thought” on AI’s long-term impact (and which side I lean toward) Why capability gaps (not talent) are quietly holding writers back What makes this wave of disruption different from anything we’ve ever faced before Five bold predictions about AI and the freelance market between now and the end of 2026. Key Insights and Takeaways The Economy Isn’t the Whole Story Yes, budgets are tighter. But the shift we’re seeing in client behavior and referral flow can’t be explained by economics alone. AI is already changing how content is created and reshaping client expectations behind the scenes. You’re Not Just Competing With Other Writers You're competing with writers plus AI, and clients don’t always realize that’s what’s happening. But they do notice faster turnaround times, deeper insights, and stronger strategy. That’s the new baseline. The Problem Isn’t Tools, It’s Random Tool Use Most writers are reacting to AI passively or using it without a clear strategy. That only leads to frustration and overwhelm. The ones who are thriving are using AI to systematically identify and close capability gaps—areas they previously avoided due to a lack of experience or confidence. Exponential Change Is Hard to See... Until It Isn’t We’ve moved from the “gradually” phase to the “suddenly” phase of change. Each new model is doubling the power of the last. If you're still measuring AI by what it could do six months ago, you're behind. The 18-Month Window We’re entering a short window where positioning yourself strategically—through capability expansion, not random experimentation—can lead to exponential growth. But that window is closing fast. Writers who miss it may find themselves permanently behind. Action Steps You Can Take This Week 1. Identify Your Competitive Blind Spot Is there a type of project, industry, or strategic conversation you avoid because you feel underqualified? That’s your gap. Write it down. 2. Use AI to Explore That Gap Leverage tools like ChatGPT or Claude to research the format, reverse-engineer a successful project, or role-play a strategic conversation you’d normally avoid. 3. Reframe How You Think About Your Capabilities Instead of saying “That’s not what I do,” ask, “If I had the right support, could I deliver excellent results here?” 4. Pick One Gap to Work on Systematically You don’t have to fix everything overnight. But momentum starts with a single capability. Choose one, and take the first step. Memorable Soundbites “The disruption is happening faster than most writers can process because our brains aren't wired for exponential change.” We're not at the beginning of the chessboard anymore. We’re nearly halfway there.” “You’re competing with writers plus AI, not just with other writers.” “The tools stay invisible, but the performance gap becomes obvious.” “This isn’t about learning tools randomly. It’s about using AI systematically to close your biggest capability gaps.” “Six months from now, you’ll either be expanding your capabilities or watching the gap between you and your competitors widen.” “You don’t have to become an AI cheerleader to respond strategically. You just have to be honest about what the market is telling you.” “Hope is not a strategy. Especially when the ground is shifting this fast.” If this episode struck a chord, I’d be honored if you shared it with a fellow writer or freelancer. Until next time, keep writing, keep adapting, and keep building the business you actually want—not just the one you think you’re stuck with.