Online writing in Kenya has long been a thriving source of income, with thousands relying on freelancing platforms for academic writing, content creation, and editing jobs. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and niche academic writing sites have provided opportunities to earn a living, gain professional experience, and achieve financial independence. However, this sector faces an existential crisis due to the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Groundbreaking studies, like the recent one by Demirci, Hannane, and Zhu, reveal stark trends that indicate a decline in human-driven freelancing. While these challenges are undeniable, they also signal opportunities for reinvention.

Data-Driven Decline: AI’s Growing Dominance

The study offers alarming statistics:

• • 60% of routine tasks outsourced to AI: Platforms are increasingly favoring AI for repetitive tasks like content creation and academic writing.

• • 25% drop in freelancers’ hourly rates since 2020: AI-generated content has driven down costs, making it harder for human writers to compete.

• • 40% reduction in job availability for academic writers: Demand for human-written assignments and essays continues to plummet as AI tools dominate the space.

• • 80% of clients use AI tools: Cost and speed take precedence, as clients opt for generative AI to handle tasks previously assigned to freelancers.

The study paints a sobering picture of AI’s impact on freelancing platforms. The research reveals that tasks traditionally associated with human creativity, such as writing, are increasingly being handled by generative AI systems like ChatGPT. These systems are fast, cost-effective, and capable of producing high-quality content, making them highly attractive to clients looking to cut costs and streamline operations.

The data highlights a troubling trend: the demand for human-written content on freelancing platforms has decreased significantly since the emergence of AI tools. Tasks such as blog writing, copywriting, and academic writing are among the first to be outsourced to AI, leaving human writers struggling to compete.

Fast Company’s article corroborates this shift, noting that routine tasks—those that require less complex decision-making or creativity—are the first to be automated. For Kenyan writers, whose bread and butter often lies in repetitive and structured assignments like essays and reports, this reality hits close to home.

Why Kenyan Writers Are Particularly Vulnerable

Kenya has been a hub for online writing due to a combination of factors: a well-educated workforce, lower labor costs compared to Western countries, good internet connectivity, and a culture that values hustling. However, these very strengths are now vulnerabilities.

• Price Sensitivity:
  Many Kenyan writers rely on offering competitive rates to attract international clients. But when AI tools can produce similar or better results at a fraction of the cost, even the most affordable human writers are sidelined.
  
  
• Overreliance on Academic Writing:
  A significant portion of Kenyan freelancers specialize in academic writing. With AI tools like ChatGPT generating detailed essays in minutes, the demand for human academic writers is plummeting.
  
  
• Limited Diversification:
  Many writers lack the technical skills or resources to pivot to other types of freelancing, such as coding, data analysis, or AI system management, leaving them stuck in an increasingly saturated market.
  
  
• Lack of Advocacy and Regulation:
  Unlike other industries disrupted by technology, online writing lacks unions or regulatory bodies to protect workers from unfair competition posed by AI.
  
  
• Overreliance on Freelance Platforms:
  Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are integrating AI tools, decreasing demand for human labor. Kenyan writers, who rely heavily on these platforms, face higher competition as AI adoption grows.
  
  
• Weak Local Industry Support:
  Unlike other regions, Kenya lacks strong industry networks or policies to help writers transition into roles that complement AI advancements, such as content strategists or editors.
  
  
• Lack of Adaptive Training Programs: Few affordable training programs exist in Kenya to help writers upskill or transition into hybrid roles (e.g., AI-assisted writing or AI auditing), leaving them at a disadvantage as the industry evolves.
  
  

Emotional Toll on Writers

The decline of online writing opportunities is more than just an economic issue; it’s an emotional one. For many Kenyan writers, freelancing isn’t just a job—it’s a lifeline. It pays school fees, supports families, and funds dreams. The fear of losing this lifeline to a faceless AI can feel deeply personal and disheartening.

Many writers report feelings of anxiety, frustration, and helplessness as they watch their hard-earned skills become undervalued. The rapid pace of change leaves little time to adapt, and the lack of clear pathways for reskilling adds to the uncertainty. Stories of reduced income, canceled contracts, and fewer opportunities are becoming alarmingly common. Many feel blindsided by the pace of AI’s encroachment, leading to anxiety about the future.

Yet, Kenyan writers are resilient. Many are seeking ways to pivot and adapt to this rapidly changing landscape.

Finding Hope Amidst the Challenges

While the challenges are undeniable, there is still hope for Kenyan writers willing to adapt and evolve. History shows that technological disruptions often create new opportunities alongside the ones they destroy.

• Embrace AI as a Tool, Not a Threat
  Writers can learn to use AI tools to enhance their work instead of fearing them. For instance, AI can assist with research, grammar checks, and even brainstorming ideas, allowing writers to focus on adding a unique human touch to their content.
  
  
• Diversify Skills
  It’s time for writers to expand their skill sets. Learning SEO, digital marketing, graphic design, or video scripting can open doors to higher-paying and less AI-saturated opportunities.
  
  
• Specialize in High-Value Niches
  Clients will always value expertise. Writers can carve niches in specialized fields such as legal writing, medical content, or technical documentation, where in-depth knowledge and human judgment are irreplaceable.
  
  
• Leverage Personal Branding
  Building a strong personal brand through platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, or YouTube can attract direct clients who value authentic, human-crafted content.
  
  
• Focus on Client Relationships
  Building strong relationships with repeat clients can create trust and long-term contracts.
  
  
• Focus on AI-Resistant Skills
  Emotional intelligence, storytelling, and cultural nuance remain difficult for AI to replicate. Writers who excel in these areas can differentiate themselves in the market.
  
  
• Collaborate and Innovate
  Writers can form cooperatives or join organizations that advocate for fair practices in the gig economy. Additionally, exploring innovative ways to combine writing with other skills, like app development or podcasting, can create unique offerings.
  
  
• Educate and Advocate
  Writers can emphasize to clients the risks of over-relying on AI tools, such as plagiarism, inaccuracies, and lack of emotional depth or cultural relevance. By positioning themselves as champions of quality and originality, freelancers can demonstrate the irreplaceable value of human expertise in crafting meaningful and impactful content. This advocacy not only highlights the limitations of AI but also fosters a deeper appreciation for human-driven creativity and critical thinking in content production.
  
  Further, to address the lack of advocacy and regulation, writers should unite to form a professional body or union that represents their interests, working collectively to engage policymakers in creating industry-specific regulations. This can include advocating for transparency in the use of AI, ensuring fair competition, and establishing ethical standards for AI and human collaboration in content creation.
  
  
• Invest in Continuous Learning
  Attend workshops and online courses to stay updated on AI trends and new writing techniques.
  
  
• Target Emerging Markets
  Explore less saturated markets where AI has limited penetration, such as local or regional content creation.
  
  
• Improve Local Networking
  Joining local writing communities fosters shared learning and collective adaptation to industry challenges. Kenyan writers can leverage groups on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Telegram to network, share insights, and explore collaboration. These spaces also offer opportunities to unify efforts, such as advocating for fair compensation and ethical platform practices. Historically, freelancing in Kenya has been highly individualistic, often shrouded in secrecy. By creating a supportive community, writers can address common challenges together, build trust, and enhance their collective bargaining power.
  
  

A Glimpse into the Future

The future of online writing in Kenya is uncertain, but it is not doomed. Generative AI is undoubtedly a disruptor, but it also offers a chance to rethink what it means to be a writer in the 21st century.

Kenyan writers have always been resilient, adapting to the shifting demands of the global marketplace. With the right mindset, training, and strategies, they can turn this challenge into an opportunity, redefining their roles in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

As the famous saying goes, “Change is the only constant.” The demise of traditional online writing might be the beginning of a new, more dynamic chapter for Kenyan freelancers. The key lies in embracing change, leveraging technology, and, above all, maintaining the human spirit that no AI can replicate.

Conclusion

AI is not a fleeting challenge; it’s here to stay. But its rise doesn’t spell the end for Kenyan online writers. Instead, it signals the need for evolution. Those who embrace change, acquire new skills, and leverage AI as a tool—not a competitor—will find ways to thrive in this new digital landscape.

This era is a turning point for online writing in Kenya. By leaning into creativity, community, and collaboration, writers can not only survive but also chart a new path forward in the age of AI

Sources

Demirci, A., Hannane, D., & Zhu, Q. (2023). The Impacts of AI on the Gig Economy. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4602944

Fast Company. AI Is Already Taking Jobs: Research Shows Routine Tasks Are the First to Go. https://www.fastcompany.com/91229781/ai-is-already-taking-jobs-research-shows-routine-tasks-are-the-first-to-go