It seems that everyone is using AI these days. In fact, half of Americans use artificial intelligence, large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot, according to Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. Furthermore, according to Reuters, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, logged 400 million weekly active users in February 2025.
Here’s the thing, though. Despite AI’s potential, no one wants to sound like C-3PO, Bishop, or Data. In other words, you don’t want to sound like a robot.
Whether you’re a writer, marketer, business owner, or student, AI tools like ChatGPT make it easy to brainstorm, draft, and refine content. But there’s a catch: it’s easier to spot AI-generated content the more people use AI. You’ve seen it before — bland intros, repetitive language, and a strangely polished tone that reads more like a corporate brochure.
The question is, how do you use ChatGPT (or any AI tool) without making it evident that you didn’t write every word yourself? Well, this is how you can harness AI while maintaining sharpness, authenticity, and humanity.
1. Use AI as a Co-Writer, Not a Ghostwriter
I think this is the most important rule for avoiding the “robot trap.” If you copy and paste a lengthy passage without much human input, your content will look auto-generated. Rather than replacing you, consider ChatGPT your creative collaborator, a partner in the writing process.
To put this into practice, follow these steps;
- Start with your own voice. Think about your core ideas, your key messages, and even a few phrases that capture your unique style before you launch the AI. More specifically, what do you want to say, and how will you say it? Remember, a human fingerprint is the first step in identifying a person.
- Give the AI a draft or structure. Instead of giving ChatGPT a vague, generic command like “Write a blog post about X,” build it a solid foundation. For example, “Please review my rough outline for a post about [topic]. I want to polish the arguments, fill in any logical gaps, and smooth out the transitions between paragraphs.” Or, “I have written some paragraphs, but I’m stuck on the conclusion. Can you suggest some impactful closing remarks?”
- Rephrase and personalize the output. In my opinion, this step is non-negotiable. Consider the AI’s response as a first draft, not a final version. Ideally, at least 20-30% of the content should be in your own words. Put in personal anecdotes as well as specific vocabulary. It is also okay to use a few “imperfect” phrases, such as a casual interjection, a slightly unconventional sentence structure, or even an intentionally long sentence. In other words, AI should support your thinking, rather than replace it.
2. Avoid the “AI Echo Chamber” Tone
As AI models learn from vast amounts of internet text, they begin to develop predictable rhythms and vocabulary. There’s a tendency to make bulleted lists and use phrases like “in today’s fast-paced world” or “it’s important to note.” They’ll also conclude every point with something neat and conclusive, like “This highlights the importance of…”
There’s nothing wrong with lists or clear conclusions. If any of these helps are overused, the content will be flagged as AI-generated — you don’t want that.
For a natural rhythm to be introduced instead of this pattern:
- Read your writing out loud. This is an incredibly effective diagnostic tool. If your content sounds like something a human wouldn’t naturally say in conversation, it needs to be revised. Often, the more conversational the writing, the more engaging it is.
- Embrace contractions. “You’re,” “it’s,” “don’t,” “can’t” are some examples of informal contractions that make your writing sound more natural as opposed to “you are,” “it is,” “do not,” “cannot.”
- Add a touch of personality. Consider incorporating elements of your unique personality into your brand, tailored to your audience and brand identity. Using sarcasm, colloquialism, an inside joke (if appropriate), or a hint of self-deprecation can all signal real authorship. After all, AI cannot replicate these nuances authentically.
3. Feed It Better Prompts — And Smarter Context
It is common for AI-generated content to sound generic because of the prompts users provide. For instance, you’ll receive a perfectly functional and utterly bland cold email that you could use for almost any company selling any product, if you ask, “Write a cold email for my business.”
ChatGPT will respond more tailored and human-like if you give it rich, specific context:
- Define your target audience. Who are you talking to? How would you describe their pain points, their industry challenges, and their typical communication style? A good example would be, “Targeting small e-commerce brands with high abandoned cart rates.”
- Clearly state your offer or unique selling proposition. What exactly are you offering? For instance, “With a plug-and-play solution, I can reduce cart abandonment by 30%.”
- Specify the desired tone and voice. Are you looking for formal, casual, authoritative, friendly, humorous, or empathetic? Try to keep the tone light and non-salesy, as if you were offering a friendly tip.
Consider this improved prompt:
“Could you write a short, conversational cold email for small e-commerce brands struggling with abandoned carts? I can help reduce cart abandonment by 30% with a plug-and-play solution. Use a non-salesy tone, like a friend giving them advice, and ask them to share one thing they’ve tried.”
With a deeper understanding of your specific needs, the AI will be able to provide a more customized, relevant, and less “AI-y” response.
4. Watch Out for “Synthetic Smoothness”
AI writing is known for its excessive polish. Everything flows smoothly. The sentences are logical, grammatically perfect, and the transitions are always smooth and seamless.
Although this may sound appealing, it often lacks the organic imperfections that make something truly authentic. We don’t all write (or speak) in perfect symmetry. There are times when we ramble, get excited, or start a sentence with “And” or “But” for emphasis.
For AI-assisted content that has a human touch;
- Break some rules on purpose. Begin a sentence with a conjunction. For impact, use sentence fragments strategically. For a little added punch, introduce a short, punchy line. By straying from conventional perfection, your writing will feel more alive.
- Let your unique voice crack through. What is your favorite quirky analogy? Is there a particular phrase you use? Do you have a personal catchphrase? Feel free to incorporate these into your content. AI cannot replicate individual quirks and eccentricities, so embrace yours. These unique vocal fingerprints are what make your writing unique.
5. Add Details ChatGPT Would Never Know
AI models are trained using public datasets. This means they don’t have access to your deeply personal, proprietary, and utterly unique experiences. As such, ChatGPT doesn’t know the following;
- The specific comments your customer made on Tuesday during a critical sales call.
- The inside joke that your development team uses during stand-up meetings.
- What did you learned from your very first job that was embarrassing (or hilarious)?
Even a few personal anecdotes or precise observations can immediately inject irrefutable authenticity into your writing.
You might find this useful:
- Add a real-life example. Instead of a generic statement, state the exact moment you realized mindlessly checking your email first thing in the morning was delaying your productivity.
- Include data from your own life or work. If you have observed or experienced specific numbers or events, mention them, even if they are rough estimates. “In our internal tests, engagement increased by 15%,” or “A client once told me…”
- Use specific nouns. For example, rather than “a popular productivity software,” try “Notion.”Or, replace “a famous entrepreneur” with “Sara Blakely.” Why? Specificity grounds your writing in reality and eliminates generic, AI-like vagueness. Most of the time, humanity equals specificity.
6. Let ChatGPT Edit You — Not the Other Way Around
Let’s flip the script. Consider giving ChatGPT your rough draft and asking for specific editorial feedback rather than having it generate content from scratch.
For example;
- “How can I make this paragraph clearer without changing my original tone?”
- Can you suggest a more casual rewrite of this introduction if you think it is too formal for my audience?”
- “Are there any parts of this email that are too long or repetitive? Can you help me condense it?”
By doing this, you make sure the core ideas, initial phrasing, and unique voice are your own. In other words, AI just sharpens the edges, optimizes the structure, or clarifies the writing, so you can learn by example and see how to improve your original draft.
7. Keep the Final Pass 100% Human
Lastly, read it aloud, as if you were a friend, colleague, or customer — then send it to your editor before publishing.
Additionally, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this something I would actually say?
- What phrases or turns of speech would I not naturally use in a real-life conversation?
- Would someone familiar with my style be able to tell that a machine probably generated this?
Whenever it feels stiff, overly polished, or a little too perfect, loosen it up a bit. Make sure you give your piece a little more personality. A slight ramble, a conversational aside, will make it more believable. Often, less polish means more human authenticity.
The Bottom Line: Your Voice, Amplified
Your content doesn’t have to sound like it came straight from an AI factory when you use ChatGPT. Ultimately, how you leverage the tool makes all the difference between cringeworthy, obviously artificially generated content and seamlessly AI-supported writing.
By utilizing AI, you can brainstorm, draft initial ideas, refine awkward phrasing, and enhance clarity. However, you should not allow it to replace your own voice completely. People do not want flawless, sterile content. Instead, they want to feel connected to you. It’s all about your experiences, your perspective, your quirky metaphors, and even your charming tangents in mid-sentence.
So, go ahead and take advantage of the power of AI by embracing it. Do not, however, go overboard. Remember, the most valuable asset you have is your authentic voice.
Image Credit: Matheus Bertelli; Pexels
