Ever run into text so smooth it slipped right out of your head? That’s when I know AI’s fingerprints are all over it. As I get older (or maybe just grumpier), I find myself irritated by writing that’s smooth but lifeless.

As a kid, I loved Reader’s Digest condensed books. You knew exactly what you were getting, and they saved time. With AI, it’s different. I sometimes feel tricked: a piece reads like genuine human thinking, but when I realize it’s generated, I feel let down.

Ironic, since I use AI constantly. The trick I’ve learned? Start with what you want to say, then let AI tidy it up. If you let the AI lead, you’ll spend your energy pulling it back into your voice. Large language models are masters of neat sentences – but smooth isn’t always human.

The good news: you can bend any AI draft until it sounds like you. Here’s how.

5 Moves to Humanize AI Writing

1. Inject your voice: Slip in a story, a favorite phrase, or something only you would say.
2. Play with rhythm: Balance short, punchy lines with longer, rolling ones.
3. Allow imperfection: Contractions, fragments, rhetorical questions. Humans do this naturally.
4. Take a stance: Skip neutrality for neutrality’s sake. Strong opinions sound human.
5. Edit like a sculptor: Cut, reorder, sharpen until the words feel like yours.

Quick Checklist for Humanizing AI Drafts

• Read Aloud Test: If it doesn’t sound like you, fix it.
• Cut the Hedging: Drop “Moreover” for “Here’s the catch.”
• Break the Rhythm: Toss in bursts. “That’s huge. Why? Because it changes everything.”
• Add Personality: Humor, slang, quirks. Don’t iron them out.
• Get Specific: Replace vague claims with real data or stories.
• Embrace Imperfection: Fragments are fine. “Not ideal. But better than nothing.”
• Strengthen Opinions: Swap “One possible solution is…” for “The best move is…”
• Hook Early: Lead with a story, analogy, or question.
• Trim Redundancy: AI repeats. Humans cut.
• End with Punch: Skip the bland wrap-up. Leave readers with action or insight.

The Bottom Line

AI is scaffolding, not the finished building. It can draft, but it can’t deliver your quirks, your opinions, or your edge. That’s your job. So don’t settle for machine-neutral. Add rhythm, personality, and imperfection. Readers trust humans who commit, not bots that hedge.

If you want your writing to stand out in the AI age, remember: The best drafts may come from machines, but the best voices still come from humans.

Want to learn more? AI has been a subject of my writing for several years, and CGNET has offered AI user training and implementation for both large and small scale organizations.   I would love to answer your questions! Please check out our website or drop me a line at g.*******@***et.com.