Communicating like a human in the age of AI

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Why Human Connection Still Matters in a World of Artificial Intelligence

Not too long ago, the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) writing email, crafting marketing campaigns, or even holding conversations felt like science fiction. Today, it’s reality. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and various automation platforms are streamlining communication, making businesses more efficient, and even changing how we interact with each other.

But as AI-generated content floods inboxes, social media feeds, and corporate messaging, something is painfully clear: Efficiency is not the same as connection.

People don’t just want words. They want meaning. They want authenticity. They want a point of view. They want to feel like they are talking to a real person, not a machine.

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And that’s where businesses, leaders, and professionals must take a stand. In the age of AI, the ability to communicate like a human– even using AI– is not just a skill, it’s an advantage.

Why AI can’t replace human communication

AI has undoubtedly revolutionized how we work. It’s fast, scalable, and capable of generating content in seconds. But for all its capabilities, AI lacks the basic  elements that make communication meaningful.

1. AI doesn’t have emotions.

AI can replicate tone, but it doesn’t feel anything. It can write an apology email, but it doesn’t understand regret. It can draft a motivational speech, but it doesn’t experience resilience. Without genuine emotion, AI-generated content often feels flat, even when it’s technically flawless.

2. AI has no personal experience

When we communicate, we draw from our past—our struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned. AI, on the other hand, doesn’t live. It pulls from data, not from personal insight. It can summarize leadership principles, but it has never had to make a tough decision that kept someone up at night. It can write about love, but it has never had its heart broken.

3. AI struggles with nuance

Human communication is full of subtle cues—sarcasm, irony, humor, cultural references. AI often misinterprets or flattens these nuances, leading to responses that feel slightly “off.” Anyone who has used AI chatbots has likely experienced this—an answer that’s technically correct but emotionally tone-deaf.

4. AI can’t think originally

AI doesn’t create; it predicts. It analyzes patterns, recognizes trends, and generates responses based on what has already been written. But true originality—the kind that sparks new ideas, challenges norms, inspires change and starts movements—comes from human creativity, not machine learning models.

5. AI can’t build real relationships

Perhaps the most important distinction is this: AI can generate content, but it cannot build trust.

Trust is built through shared experiences, empathy, and genuine conversation. It’s why we connect with certain brands, follow certain leaders, and stay loyal to businesses that make us feel heard and understood. No matter how advanced AI becomes, trust will always require us showing our humanity.

What it takes to keep sounding human

AI is here to stay, but how do we use it and still ensure that our communication remains authentic, convincing, and deeply human?

First things first:  AI can write perfect paragraphs all day long, but it can’t make someone smile, laugh, or feel truly understood. That’s your superpower. Here’s how to use it:

What’s the plan, Stan?

AI doesn’t wake up with a burning desire to change minds or touch hearts—but you do. Before touching that AI tool, ask yourself:

  • What feeling do I want to stir in my audience?
  • What’s the message that would keep me up at night if I didn’t share it?
  • What unique perspective can I bring that no algorithm ever could?

Tell the stories that AI can’t

AI can string together facts, but it’s never had its heart broken, celebrated a hard-won victory, or learned from failure. That’s where you come in.

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  • Share the suck– I mean the  mistakes that taught you something valuable
  • Tell the stories that made you who you are
  • Look back at  the conversations that changed your perspective
  • Add those “I’ve been there” moments that make people nod in recognition

Use your voice

Your voice—whether it sparkles with sardonic wit or radiates warmth—is your signature. AI might write perfectly, but perfect is boring. When using AI:

  • Ditch the jargon and robot speak (if it sounds like a press release, rewrite it)
  • Break grammar rules like you mean it
  • Throw in those phrases that are uniquely you
  • Write like you’re talking to a friend, not programming a machine

Make it a real conversation

AI generates; humans engage.

  • Ask the questions you genuinely want answers to
  • Listen like someone’s story depends on it (because it does)
  • Leave space for others to jump in
  • Change your mind when someone makes a good point
  • Show that you’re learning too
  • Add emotional intelligence

AI can analyze sentiment, but it doesn’t care. You do. And that’s your edge:

  • Feel the room (even when the room is virtual)
  • Acknowledge the messy, complicated feelings
  • Share your own emotional journey
  • Show that you understand what keeps people up at night
  • Embrace the suck

Personalize meaningfully

AI writes for everyone, which means it writes for no one. You can do better. So do better.

  • Drop those “you know what I mean?” moments that connect
  • Refer to the shared, common  experiences that bond you with your audience
  • Mention the industry inside jokes that make people smile
  • Address the specific fears, hopes, and dreams of your people (whoever they are)

Quality check with human eyes

Before hitting send, ask yourself:

  • Does this sound like me on my best day?
  • Would I say this to someone I respect over coffee?
  • Does it feel true to who I am and what I believe?
  • Will this actually help someone?

Remember: AI is your backup singer, not the lead vocalist. It’s there to make sure your voice is loud and clear,  not muffle yours. AI can help you communicate faster, but only you can make someone feel heard, understood, and valued. And in a world full of perfectly-crafted AI messages, being imperfectly human isn’t just okay—it’s your greatest strength.

Once more, with feeling: AI is a tool, not a replacement

Let’s be clear: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can enhance communication, streamline processes, and improve efficiency. But it should never replace the human touch that makes communication meaningful.

The leaders, brands, and businesses that thrive in the age of AI will be the ones who use technology wisely but never lose sight of the human connection.

Because in the end, people don’t just want information.

They want to feel heard.

They want to feel understood.

They want to connect.

And no algorithm can out-human a human.

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