Optimizing Content for AI

Why You Should Start Using Markdown

If you're working with AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, the format you use matters. Markdown is a simple, text-based formatting language that AI models understand natively—making your interactions more reliable, your outputs more consistent, and your workflows dramatically more efficient.

This guide will show you what Markdown is, why it's essential for AI-optimized content, and how to start using it today.

What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight plain-text syntax for writing formatted documents. Instead of clicking buttons in a word processor, you add simple markers to your text:

• Type # Heading to create a heading
• Type **bold** to make text bold
• Type - Item to create a bulleted list

What you write is easy to read raw and can be converted to beautiful HTML, PDFs, or web pages by any Markdown renderer. It's the format behind GitHub documentation, Slack messages, many campus wikis, and increasingly, your AI interactions.

Key advantages:

• Human-readable: You can read and edit .md files in any text editor
• Version-control friendly: Changes are easy to track in Git
• Universal: Works across platforms, tools, and AI models
• Future-proof: Plain text never goes out of style

Why Markdown Matters for AI

AI models like GPT-5 and Gemini are trained on massive amounts of Markdown content. When you use Markdown:

1. AI understands your structure better – Headers, lists, and sections help the model parse your intent
2. AI generates more consistent outputs – Models default to Markdown for structured responses
3. You can iterate faster – Copy AI output directly into your docs, notes, or code repos
4. Formatting is preserved – No copy-paste formatting nightmares

Real Campus Use Cases

• Students: Structure study guides, format lab reports, organize research notes that AI can help you refine
• Faculty: Create course materials, syllabi, or assignment instructions that AI can help you adapt or improve
• Staff: Document processes, draft emails, or create training materials with AI assistance that stays cleanly formatted
• Developers: Generate code documentation, API specs, or technical designs that integrate seamlessly with GitHub and Azure DevOps

GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM): The Standard

GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) is GitHub's enhanced version of Markdown, built on the CommonMark specification. It adds practical features like tables, task lists, and strike through text.

Why Use GFM with AI?

Common Markdown Syntax (GFM Reference)

Here's everything you need to get started:

# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3

**bold text**  
*italic text*  
`inline code`

- Unordered list item
- Another item
  - Nested item

1. Ordered list item
2. Second item
3. Third item

[Link text](https://example.com)
![Image alt text](path/to/image.png)

> This is a blockquote
> Perfect for highlighting key points

| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|----------|----------|
| Cell 1   | Cell 2   |
| Cell 3   | Cell 4   |

- [ ] Task list item (unchecked)
- [x] Completed task

~~Strikethrough text~~

```python
# Code block with syntax highlighting
print("Hello World")
```

Example: Meeting Notes

# BYUI Support Center Team Meeting
**Date:** November 8, 2025

## Attendees
- Ron (AI Engineer)
- Brian Schow (Support Center Manager)
- Support Center staff

## Discussion Items
1. **Ticket Volume Trends**
   - 15% decrease in tier-1 tickets
   - AI response system handling routine inquiries

2. **Action Items**
- [ ] Update knowledge base articles
- [ ] Schedule AI system training session
- [x] Review automation metrics

## Next Steps
Follow up with @brian on training schedule by end of week.

Tools for Writing Markdown

You don't need special software. Markdown works in any text editor, including Microsoft Word. However, these tools make it easier:

Free Options

• Cursor IDE (Recommendation for student developers)
• VS Code with Markdown preview
• Obsidian (excellent for notes and knowledge management)
• GitHub web editor (built-in for repositories)

Campus-Available Tools

• Microsoft Teams (supports Markdown in messages)
• VS Code (comes pre-installed with Windows)

Getting Started: Your Next Steps

1. Try it with AI today

   • Open ChatGPT or Gemini
   • Ask: "Help me create a Markdown-formatted study guide for [topic]"
   • Notice how clean and structured the output is

2. Convert an existing document

   • Take a Word doc or Google Doc
   • Ask AI: "Convert this to GitHub Flavored Markdown"
   • Compare the readability

3. Start small

   • Use Markdown for your next meeting notes
   • Format your next email in Markdown (using Markdown Here)
   • Create a README file for your project

Why This Matters

At BYU-Idaho, we're building AI systems that reduce cognitive load and help you focus on what matters most. Markdown is a small skill that unlocks massive efficiency gains:

• Less time fighting with formatting
• More consistent collaboration with AI
• Better documentation that's easy to maintain
• Seamless integration with modern development tools

Whether you're writing a research paper, documenting a project, or organizing your thoughts, Markdown keeps you focused on content while AI handles the heavy lifting.

Remember: The best way to learn Markdown is to start using it. Pick one document today and give it a try.