AI: The Modern Author’s Research Team

We’ve entered a new world. One at which artificial intelligence is at the core. AI is playing a bigger and bigger role in everyday lives with each passing day. And as we’re seeing, that role can be good or it can be bad.

AI is used all over the globe in every industry and business. I haven’t done the research, but I don’t think people in those arenas get looked down on when they utilize this growing asset.

Unless you’re an artist. But don’t get me wrong. I understand why artists don’t want their livelihoods usurped by the use of AI. I’m an artist, and I don’t want to see books published that had no human involvement at all. AI is great, but I don’t want to read stories crafted by emotionless computers.

But I do think there’s a role for AI in the artistic world. Maybe not for painters or illustrators. But I know AI has a place for writers. And that place is in support: research and consulting.

So why do authors need research support?

Because, in today’s publishing world, readers expect more than just compelling storytelling — they demand accuracy. Whether it’s historical details, scientific concepts, or cultural references, getting the facts right matters. For my character Percy, I needed to ensure his scientific knowledge was spot-on. Traditional authors might hire specialized consultants for this, but what about emerging authors working on tight budgets?

Today, I want to explore how AI can serve as a virtual research team for writers, providing the same support that established authors get from their human assistants and consultants — but at a fraction of the cost.

Let’s look at how this traditionally works and then see how AI is leveling the playing field.

Established authors often work with teams of research assistants who can spend hours verifying facts, checking historical details, and ensuring technical accuracy. These assistants typically command significant salaries — a resource most new authors simply don’t have access to.

Need to verify scientific concepts or ensure professional procedures are accurately described? Technical consultants can charge hundreds per hour. For my Percy character in The Adventure in the Magical World, hiring a scientific consultant would have been cost-prohibitive, especially as a new author.

This is where AI tools level the playing field. They provide 24/7 access to research assistance at a fraction of the cost of traditional support teams. While they can’t replace human creativity, they excel at tasks like fact-checking and technical verification.

Let me be clear — AI doesn’t write the story. When developing Percy’s character, I maintained complete creative control over his personality, dialogue, and actions. AI simply helped verify that his scientific knowledge was accurate, much like a traditional research assistant would do.

For instance, when Percy needed to explain complex scientific concepts, I used AI to verify the accuracy of these explanations. This ensured that while the character remained uniquely mine, his technical knowledge was sound and credible.

Beyond technical verification, AI helped with background research like name origins and historical accuracy. Again, this mirrors the role of a traditional research assistant — providing information that supports creative decisions without making them.

Using AI as a virtual research assistant isn’t about replacing human creativity — it’s about giving new authors access to the same kind of support that established authors have always had.

The key is understanding its role: a tool for research and verification, not a replacement for the author’s unique voice and vision.

As authors, particularly new ones, we just need to be smart about using available resources.

Yet I know there are still concerns about AI use in publishing. Questions about disclosure, ethics, and industry standards keep arising.

In my next post, “AI in Publishing: Separating Facts from Fiction,” we’ll tackle these issues head-on and clear up some common misconceptions about how authors really use AI tools.

Have you used AI as a research assistant in your writing? What has your experience been? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Related Topics: artificial intelligence research tools, author support systems, writing resources, research assistants, publishing technology, traditional vs digital research, author tools, writing process, fact-checking methods, technical consultants