Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about change—specifically, how content creation is evolving at lightning speed. And honestly? It’s overwhelming.I keep researching, trying to understand my fears, but the internet works in a loop. The more I search, the more I’m fed stories that reinforce those fears. And so, the spiral continues.

Writing vs. Video: Do We Even Read Anymore?

I love writing. It’s where I feel most at home—crafting thoughts into articles and newsletters like this one. But let’s be real: people consume content differently now.

Video dominates. Short, snappy clips win attention. Even I—someone who prefers to write— can’t ignore that. It’s not just the younger generation; we’re all gravitating toward quick, effortless content.

So, do I stick to what I love or adapt?

This also makes me wonder—how are educational publishers in Zimbabwe adapting? Are they keeping up with shifting content consumption habits? While I fear video might overshadow written content (though I still believe writing is king), I also see opportunities.

AI: Stealing or Supporting Creators?

Then there’s AI.

I recently listened to another creator, who, like me, prefers writing. She spoke about how AI is moving fast, reshaping how people access content.

Take my blog, for example. It’s still relevant—AI even cites it. But then Google generates an AI summary at the top of search results. This means fewer clicks to my site. Google benefits from my content, but I lose traffic. Not exactly fair, right?

Just last week, I read about a writer who searched for their book in ChatGPT—only to find a full summary of it. How did AI get access to their book without consent? If AI can summarize entire books, what does that mean for authors and content creators?

The conversation is even bigger for parents. What will the future of work look like for their children? What careers will remain relevant? How do you guide your child toward a path that won’t be made redundant by AI?

What About My Shona Learning Program?

This has me thinking about my own work.

I’ve built a Shona learning program for children, and honestly? I think it’s awesome. But how much longer can I monetize it?

It’s housed on the internet, behind a paywall. But is that enough? Can a paywall truly protect my content? Or will AI, in its relentless hunger for data, find a way to access and learn from it anyway?

Last week, I was presenting at a forum on African languages hosted by Recalibrating Afrikanistik, titled Language Work, and the discussion on AI came up. One of the attendees pointed out that English-language writers have been hit hardest by AI. But for those of us working in African languages, AI might actually be an advantage—because there’s so little data available in these languages.

That’s an interesting take. But honestly? I don’t even know what to think, because none of us knows where AI is headed.

The Digital Heist: Who Profits From My Work?

Beyond my language course, I’m also building a library—children’s stories translated into Shona and well-researched social studies stories. It’s all behind a paywall, but for how long?

With so little content available in African languages, will AI inevitably start relying on my translations and research? And if that happens, will I be compensated? Right now, I have no reason to believe I will be.

Because let’s be honest—big tech companies are already profiting from creators like me. The writer I mentioned earlier called it what it is: a digital heist. Tech giants get richer while independent creators—who put in the real work—remain unknown, unrecognized, and unpaid.

The Reality Check: Keep Up or Get Left Behind

Here’s what I do know: I can’t afford to ignore these shifts. AI is here. Video is here. And change is happening, whether I like it or not.

Instead of resisting, I’m choosing to understand. How can AI work for me rather than against me? How can I use it to make my work easier? How do I balance video with my love for writing? These are the questions I’m actively exploring.

Over to You: How Are You Navigating This?

What about you? Are you embracing AI and video, or do you feel stuck in old ways? How do you see these shifts affecting your content or business?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments or via email.