How to Talk Like a Human in the AI Era

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into our daily lives, both personally and professionally, it becomes increasingly crucial to distinguish ourselves from the machine-generated perfection. Key skills such as empathy, influence, and the ability to read social cues—areas where AI has a long way to go—are becoming more invaluable.

However, the rise of AI and our reduced opportunities to practice face-to-face communication have contributed to a 28% decrease in the words we speak daily from 2005 to 2019.

Compounding this issue, relying on AI for communication further erodes these essential skills and intensifies communication anxiety, as we become acutely aware that we may not possess the depth of knowledge required to respond effectively when challenged. As algorithms craft our emails and smooth out our speech, the communication standard has never been higher, resulting in a flat and disconnected interaction.

Conversely, those who communicate authentically and reveal their human qualities have a significant competitive advantage. By embracing our imperfections and unique perspectives, we demonstrate genuine effort and create opportunities for meaningful connections. This approach is especially true when competing against AI-generated flawless communication.

To navigate this AI era successfully, I have developed the TRUST framework to help individuals communicate effectively while still embracing their authentic selves. Truthful foundation is the first step, which involves grounding messages in personal experiences and speaking the truth. For instance, at a recent virtual event on teaching MBA students, I presented impromptu for 30 minutes, sharing specific struggles I faced in managing learners of different abilities and my subsequent insecurity about boring expert students.

Real-time processing is the second aspect of the TRUST framework. Unlike AI, which delivers a polished output as a completed message, we can verbalize our thought processes while communicating, revealing our internal thought process and demonstrating that we are generating content on the spot. During the event, I paused to reflect on a complex chat question about non-native speakers and shared my own experience of over-monitoring learner reactions.

Utilizing tailored, local evidence provides a third element of the TRUST framework. While AI offers generic backing for its conclusions, we can offer more personalized and relevant examples. For example, if pitching a new product, we can explain how street signs in our hometown inspired its design. In my presentation, I shared an embarrassing personal story about teaching in Beijing, illustrating the challenges of speaking a non-native language.

Showing a unique speaking style is the fourth component of the TRUST framework. While communication coaches in the past discouraged the use of verbal tics and awkward pauses, these imperfections are vital in the AI era, adding a sense of our humanness. Instead of eliminating these flaws entirely, we should embrace them and allow our authentic selves to shine through.

During my impromptu keynote, I repeated "the reality is..." multiple times, but instead of freezing or over-correcting, I gave myself grace and let my unfiltered self come through.

Lastly, informing the audience of your perspective is the final step in the TRUST framework. When sharing updates, providing commentary through unique thoughts and historical perspectives adds depth to our communication. If describing a new process developed at work, cap it off with a genuine reflection on the challenges and fun aspects of the solution. During my presentation, I shared my love for puzzles and how I find some of the most challenging yet enjoyable solutions in my team's work.