How I AI: Farhad Manjoo's AI-Powered Writing Workflow for Research, Wordcraft, and Editing

In this episode, I got to sit down with someone whose words many of us have read for years: Farhad Manjoo, a former columnist for The New York Times and one of the most insightful voices in tech journalism.

Writing is a deeply personal and creative process, so it makes sense that many professional writers have been skeptical of AI's role in their craft. Farhad was initially in that camp, but he quickly saw how AI could work as a creative companion rather than a replacement. He shared with me how he went from being an occasional user to having ChatGPT open alongside his document for every single piece he writes. It’s now a key part of his process, acting as a research assistant, a thesaurus on steroids, and an ever-patient first reader.

In our conversation, Farhad broke down his entire AI-enhanced writing process into three main workflows. We talked about how he uses AI for initial brainstorming and research, his clever technique for finding the perfect word or idiom, and how he uses it to get instant feedback on his drafts. These are practical strategies that any writer can use—whether you're crafting a blog post, a novel, or a company memo—to make their work better.

Workflow 1: The AI Research Assistant for Brainstorming

Before AI, the research phase for an article could be a huge grind. It often meant spending hours on Google, sifting through dozens of articles, and trying to pull all the information together before you could even start writing. Farhad explained how this process, which used to take him half a day, can now be done in a fraction of the time, letting him get deeper into the subject much faster.

Step-by-Step: Brainstorming an Article

Farhad's approach turns ChatGPT into a dynamic research partner, especially now that it can search the web.

Start with a Broad Question: Instead of just typing in keywords, you can ask a conceptual question. For his example on Trump's tariffs, he started with a prompt to get the lay of the land.

tell me about like, all the commentary on Trump's tariffs and, especially any that say the tariffs are good.

Analyze the Initial Synthesis: The AI quickly comes back with a summary of the general consensus, identifies the key people involved, and provides direct links to source articles from reputable places like Business Insider, Detroit Free Press, and Reuters. This is a huge time-saver and gives you an immediate foundation to build on.

Interrogate the Results: This is where you can really start to explore. You can have a conversation and dig deeper. Farhad followed up with a more specific query to narrow his focus.

is there anyone, in the automotive industry who has commented on the tariffs or,

Verify the Sources: For any journalist or writer, verifying the information is critical. Farhad emphasized that since web-enabled models give you direct links to their sources, you can easily click through and check the original context. This builds trust and ensures you're not getting a hallucination.

He described the experience as having a research assistant who is "maybe 80%" as smart as his former human assistant at the Times, but is instant, always available, and never minds being asked a "dumb" question. This makes the brainstorming process feel freer and more exploratory, helping you uncover new angles and arguments you might have missed.

Workflow 2: The 'Super Thesaurus' for Finding the Perfect Word or Phrase

This was my favorite part of our conversation. We've all been there—stuck on a word, reaching for a metaphor that isn't a cliché. Farhad showed me how he uses ChatGPT as a 'super thesaurus' to elevate his language and make his writing more specific and interesting. It does so much more than a traditional thesaurus.

Finding an Alternative Idiom

First, he tackled the challenge of replacing a common idiom, "pay the piper," which he felt was overused.

Provide the Context: He didn't just ask for synonyms. He gave the AI the full sentence to understand the nuance.

For months, the mayor ignored public outrage over the polluted lake. Eventually, he realized he had to pay the piper.

Specify the Need: He then gave it creative direction, asking for something more metaphorical and fresh.

I want to say this in a catchier way, but also with some kind of metaphor that describes like paying for something or, that like your previous actions coming home to roost or something.

Evaluate the Suggestions: The AI returned a list of creative options, including "The chickens came home to roost" and one Farhad liked: "The devil came to collect." That’s a phrase a standard thesaurus would never come up with.

Finding the Perfect Word

The same technique works for individual words. When looking for alternatives to "outrage," he didn't just get a flat list of synonyms.

1. Ask for Alternatives: A simple query like what are alternatives to outrage? brings back some great options.
2. Get Categorized Nuances: The AI returned words categorized by intent: More Dramatic, More Colloquial, More Formal, and even More Ironic. This gives you a whole palette of options to choose from based on the exact tone you want to strike.
3. Test the Word's Fit: He then showed how you can test a word's usage. He picked a word from the list that didn't seem quite right—grief—and asked the AI to validate it.

Does this work? For months the mayor ignored public grief over the polluted lake.

The AI correctly explained that grief implies sorrow, not anger, and suggested ways to rephrase the sentence if he wanted to keep the word, or offered better alternatives. This back-and-forth of finding, testing, and refining language used to be a completely internal, and sometimes frustrating, process for writers.

Workflow 3: Using AI as an 'Always-On' First Reader

Every writer knows the feeling of being too close to their work. You need a second set of eyes, but your editor might be busy, and you're not even done with the first draft. Farhad now uses ChatGPT as an integrated first reader throughout his writing process, not just at the very end.

How to Get Instant Draft Feedback

This is all about checking your structure and clarity in real-time as you write.

Write a Section: After writing the first few paragraphs of an article, Farhad will pause to get a quick check-in.

Paste and Prompt: He copies the text into ChatGPT and asks specific questions about its effectiveness. The goal isn’t to have it rewrite his work, but to get a critique.

Does this get my point across quickly enough? Is there a way you can suggest to get to this argument much quicker? Am I doing too much unnecessary commentary here?

Incorporate Feedback and Continue: Based on the AI's suggestions about structure and flow, he can make adjustments and keep writing with more confidence that he's on the right track. He repeats this process as he builds out the article.

This constant feedback loop helps shape the article as it's being created. Farhad noted that while the AI isn't sophisticated enough to find deep logical flaws in an argument, it's excellent at spotting structural issues like burying the lede or having an unclear thesis. It allows him to polish his writing as he goes, turning what used to be a linear process into something much more dynamic and collaborative.

Conclusion: Your New Writing Companion

What I loved about Farhad's approach is that he uses AI to enhance his work, not replace it. He’s not generating generic content; he’s speeding up the tedious parts of his job (like initial research) and sharpening the most creative parts (like finding the perfect metaphor). It's a tool that helps him think better and write with more precision.

Farhad’s workflows show that AI can be a true partner in the creative process—an always-on, eager-to-please assistant that helps you brainstorm, find the right words, and structure your arguments more effectively. His final point really resonated with me: this technology allows him to focus more of his energy on the core ideas and the unique voice that is unmistakably his. Next time you sit down to write, try opening a second window and invite your new AI assistant to join you.

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Find more from Farhad Manjoo on X and follow me, Claire Vo, on X and at clairevo.com.