What AI Can And Can't Do For Tender Writing

TLDR: You should use AI for Tender writing. And you should also know what it can and can’t do. 

Scared that AI is going to replace your job? Or resistant to use AI because it feels like cheating? 

Then you might be looking at it all wrong. 

AI is an enabler - It’s not about getting it to write everything for you or replace your expertise, it’s about using it to save time and streamline your workflow. 

Realistically, the amount of power you give AI over your work functions is solely up to you. You can rely on it like a second arm or you can use it as a booster when fatigue and motivation are low. 

But you should know how to use it and you should know what AI can and can’t do for tender writing. 

What AI Can and Should Do: 

1. Transform your notes & drafts into structure - Turn scattered thoughts and rough notes into organised and coherent sections. 
2. Compliance Checks - For quality control and an objective overview for any grammatical errors, structural, flow or inconsistencies in writing. 
3. Speed up repetitive tasks - Converting technical specifications into benefits-focused language, standardising formatting across sections and adapting content for new contexts.
4. 24/7 research assistant - Let AI summarise/ break down complex regulations, industry standards or find background information to give you a solid foundation for your responses. 
5. Expand and improve past responses - Refresh and enhance previous winning responses and adapt them for new opportunities. 

Can’t and shouldn’t do:

1. Handle confidential information - Don't input confidential client documents or proprietary methodologies into AI (unless your AI tool is enterprise-secure)
2. Make strategic decisions/ recommendations - AI is full of biases and flawed logic. If you don’t know the criteria it used to reach the decision, then it’s likely not 100% reliable.
3. Narrative Writing - AI is great for writing technically, but the nuance in writing and strategy that comes from direct experience and knowledge from speaking to buyers and evaluators cannot be replaced.
4. Commit to things you'll deliver - Always verify that you can achieve everything AI suggests. It might propose impressive solutions, but these have to be within your current capabilities or budget.
5. The final review- AI should never be the last ‘set of eyes’ across your submission. 80% of the work can be boosted by AI, but the remaining 20% needs to be cross checked by a human. 
6. Genuine differentiation - AI is great at pulling from large data sets to create general language that looks professional. But the writing that actually feels good and appeals to your buyer is something only your expertise, unique insights and judgement can create. 

Summary: 

AI should handle the heavy lifting of research, formatting and quality control. But it shouldn’t completely replace your expertise, strategic insight or experience as a professional. Learn how to use it responsibly and you’ll be writing and winning submissions faster in no time.