It occurs to me, and perhaps it’s occurred to you too, that we are beginning to recognise what AI-generated content sounds like. The cadence, the polish, the oddly universal and caring tone. But here’s the twist; what if the real shift isn’t AI sounding more like us, but us sounding more like AI?
The Rise of the AI Echo
In the past year, LinkedIn has become a showcase for AI-assisted content, the platform is unfortunately awash with writing that feels… familiar. Not because we’ve read it before, but because it shares a certain rhythm. Confident, wordy, and often devoid of the quirks that makes human writing human.
A recent article from Forbes outlined seven tell-tale signs of AI-generated content on LinkedIn. From generic overly phrasing to a lack of personal anecdotes. And yet, these are the very traits many of us have been coached to adopt in professional writing. Could it be that in our pursuit of clarity and efficiency, we’ve trained ourselves into the same patterns that AI now mimics?
Thought Leadership or Thought Replication?
The irony is rich. AI was designed to learn from us. But in our rush to embrace it, we may be learning from it instead. A piece from FelloAI argues that AI has quietly taken over thought leadership on LinkedIn, by convenience. When a 20-word prompt can yield a 500-word post, the temptation to let the machine lead is strong.
But here’s the danger, thought leadership should be about original insight. When we outsource too much of our voice, we risk diluting the very thing that makes our perspective valuable.
The Human Touch Still Matters
Imagine having one writer, providing the whole internet’s content. That’s the experience of AI. While you can gently guide it into not saying certain things or demand it to change its tone. It still has some extremely noticeable mannerisms; an obvious one is the overuse of mechanical transitional phrases. Think: “In Addition to this”, “Furthermore”, “Last but not least”.
That’s not to say AI doesn’t have a place. Used well, it can be a powerful “copilot” (pardon the M365 pun, we had to put it in there!). I see AI as a great tool for sharpening your voice, not replacing it. Reflecting the human experience is always going to be a challenge for AI to overcome. Personality is the antidote to AI sameness.
So Is It Tosh?
Maybe, maybe not. But it’s worth asking.
Because if we don’t pause to reflect, we risk becoming echo’s of the tools we use. In a world where everyone sounds the same, the most human voice in the room might just be the one that dares to sound different.
We’re big fans of AI… but not for writing LinkedIn posts
AI is transforming the way we work. Tasks that once felt difficult are now simpler, and things that once seemed out of reach are becoming possible. Those who embrace AI in their workflows are getting ahead. But like any meaningful shift, AI adoption comes with its own set of challenges and risks.
Curious about how tools like Microsoft Copilot, AI Builder, or Power Automate could fit into your business? Let’s talk. We’d love to hear your story and help you explore what’s possible.
