Tools and technology

A reader chooses here by the technology the work runs on: software and utilities, artificial intelligence, or the distributed ledger behind a shared record. It leaves search tools and the reference manager to finding and managing sources, computer-assisted translation to software for translation work, a freelance practice's own machines, backups and continuity plan to the practice's machines, software and data, and the duties of confidence and data protection that govern any tool client material passes through to confidentiality and data protection; what confidential material may go into an AI tool stays with artificial intelligence.

• Software and tools — the software and equipment writers use and recommend, the word processor, document templates, automating document checks and production, collaboration and shared-document tools, data analysis and graphing software, online surveys and polls, and passwords and account security
• Artificial intelligence — rules-based and generative AI systems, adopting AI, working with AI tools, using AI responsibly, attitudes, trust and expectations, and AI law and regulation
• Blockchain for shared records in healthcare, research and publishing — what a distributed ledger is, where it was being tried, why it proved hard to implement, and what it might change about a writing team's shared records