AI chatbots cut demand for Kenya’s academic writing gig work

In short: AI chatbots are reducing the amount of paid academic writing work available to freelancers in Kenya.

What's going on

Kenya has been a major hub for paid academic writing for years. Many freelancers, especially in Nairobi, have written essays, coursework, and even dissertations for students and researchers overseas. Some estimates put the number of active writers at more than 40,000 in Nairobi, and other reports describe 40,000 to 50,000 people working at any one time.

That work has been hit hard since late 2022, as more students started using generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Generative AI means software that can produce text on request, like a very fast draft writer (it can turn a prompt into an outline or an essay in seconds). Interviews with Kenyan freelancers suggest it is now harder to find jobs unless a writer already has regular clients.

Workers also report lower earnings and tougher competition for the remaining tasks. One writer told Rest of World their monthly income dropped from about $900 to $1,200 in 2022 to about $500 to $800 after ChatGPT spread. Other reports describe fewer assignments to bid on, and some clients receiving writing that looks obviously AI-made.

What to watch

Researchers and commentators still disagree on whether AI will fully wipe out this market. Some work may remain for specialized assignments, or for courses with strict checks where students fear penalties for using AI. Still, broader data points in the same direction, including an analysis cited in reporting that found digital freelance demand fell 21% after AI chatbots launched, and writing work fell 30% on major platforms.

Source: NYTimes