How to Redefine Writing for AI

I just got YET another thank-you email 📧 from a candidate that was clearly a direct copy-paste from ChatGPT.... And that just reminded me that… …a key part of GenAI literacy is understanding when and when not to use AI-generated output: Use GenAI too sparingly, and you miss out on (potential) efficiency gains (which are huge especially for ESL folks); overuse it, and you risk losing your unique voice. I’ve chatted with a few folks on this topic and wanted to share eight tips for writing authentically while using GenAI: 1️⃣ Motivation: This one might seem odd, but I find that I do need a little inspiration and reminder not to rely on these tools too much. Sometimes, it's tempting to settle for "good enough" output from ChatGPT, but then I remember the reason I write. Is it to churn out unoriginal content, or did I start writing online to connect with others through my words? 2️⃣ Cultural References: Incorporating cultural references, idioms, and expressions relevant only to your audience and topic can make your text more much more relatable. AI is unlikely to grasp these nuances, which can help your content stand out in a sea of generic synthetic material. 3️⃣ Fine-tune the AI Model: Feed your writing into the model and ask it to mimic your style, voice, and tone. For a shortcut, you might even ask it to define your tone of voice based on your text. But remember to still check the output. 4️⃣ No Shortcuts: Avoid relying on "AI humanizers," which can produce content that still feels inauthentic. Nothing beats your own proofreading to ensure your voice remains authentic. 5️⃣ Use Active Voice: AI-generated text often defaults to passive voice, leading to weaker, less engaging content. Opt for an active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging (and clearly distinguishable from AI-generated stuff). 6️⃣ Vary Your Sentence Structure: AI often relies on patterns and may repeat similar sentence structures, leading to monotonous content. Try mixing short, snappy sentences with longer, more descriptive ones. This captures readers attention and conveys complex ideas better than the monotonous AI-generated-pattern-heavy writing. 7️⃣ Check for Formulaic Language: Be wary of predictable phrases. Not sure why but a lot of ChatGPT responses I get start with “in the realm of.” This, of course, adds no value and can make your writing appear cliché. Keep an eye out for such formulas. 8️⃣ Editing and Proofreading: It may seem obvious, but after using AI to generate text, always edit and proofread. Never let AI output go unchecked. Especially if you’re sending thank-you emails 😏 We're developing lessons on this very topic, but I wanted to share some preliminary thoughts! Just remember: People want to hear from YOU! #edtech #edtechstartup #GenAI #AIupskilling

Most don't realize the trade-offs they're making when using AI. Since ChatGPT really took flight about a year ago, I've developed an AI-first mindset–looking to integrate it into just about everything that I do. I've invested much energy over the past year, honing my voice. While AI can be extremely helpful in getting folks from 0-1, I've found the opposite depending on the task. A goal of mine when sharing any writing or content is that I want to ensure that my authenticity and creativity really shine. I started to notice that when solely using LLMs to get from 0-1, the originality of my ideas was capped. My ideas felt generic. So, I decided to run an experiment on my workflow. I shifted back to using pen and paper first. After, I read my writing out loud and record it into Otter.ai. Then, use an LLM (Claud, ChatGPT, etc) to synthesize. Since shifting my process, I've turned a corner with my creativity and relationship to AI in my workflow. There's no right way to integrate AI into your workflow. The key is getting clear and intentional about the tradeoffs you're making in the process. ~ ✍️ What's your take on this? ♻️ Reshare if this is helpful. #artificialintelligence #aiworkflow #intentionaltechnology

Does using AI to write mean you’re cheating - or optimizing? A New York Times piece revealed something striking: https://zurl.co/ixD4V Many students admit they can’t even start writing without AI. And in business? I’m seeing the same. That stopped me. Because AI is supposed to support our thinking — not replace it. I use AI every day — to draft, summarize, brainstorm. But I’ve also caught myself asking: Is this still my thinking… or just my editing of machine output?” We’ve crossed a line where writing is easy — but original thinking is at risk of disappearing. The New York Times article captured this perfectly: → Students use AI for structure and grammar — but struggle with ideas. → Many can’t begin without it. → Teachers ban AI — while quietly using it themselves. And this mirrors business too: → AI turns bullet points into investor updates → It summarizes sales calls, drafts LinkedIn posts, answers customers Efficient? Yes. But here’s the problem: We're scaling writing — without scaling thought. → Generic copy → Thoughtless outreach → Insight-free messaging Infact, 🧠 AI doesn’t kill creativity. It moves it upstream. In IRREPLACEABLE, I call this intellectual authorship — The ability to think before the tool does. AI can generate a message. But it can’t give it meaning. Here’s how I keep the edge: ✅ I voice memo ideas before drafting anything. ✅ I challenge every AI suggestion at least once. ✅ I rewrite key conclusions myself — to stay intentional. Because the truth is: ✍️ AI can help articulate. But it can’t invent purpose. 💡 It can refine. But it can’t believe in your vision. 🧠 It can mimic tone. But it doesn't feel urgent. So no — using AI isn’t cheating. But letting it think for you? That’s something else entirely. Let’s not confuse polish with purpose. Let’s not confuse automation with meaning. Let’s not confuse speed with strategy. The real writing skill in the AI era? Thinking. Clearly. Before you type. Let’s debate 👇 #AIwriting #FutureOfWork #BusinessCommunication #AIethics