How to sound like a human, not a robot, in the age of AI
Last year, The Economist named “AI Slop” as its 2025 word of the year. “Slop merchants clog up the internet with drivel,” it wrote. Search Google for a health question and you’ll find endless articles filled with AI -written drivel. Scroll through Instagram and it won’t be long before you come across fake clips stitched together with an AI voice-over. We’ve all seen it. AI slop is almost…
In 2025, The Economist declared "AI Slop" as its word of the year. AI-generated content inundates the internet, infiltrating articles, social media posts, and more. As we become inundated with such material, we may unknowingly start to sound like AI ourselves. To combat this trend and communicate more effectively, I tested my own writing with various AI-detection services. The outcome revealed that my writing remains distinctly human, offering valuable insights on how to avoid sounding like AI.
The first sign that my writing is human is my domain expertise and synthesis. AI struggles to replicate this ability, which involves drawing on specific knowledge from various fields and connecting them in novel ways. To build this kind of expertise, one must read widely and engage in deliberate practice, as suggested by creativity researchers and performance expert Anders Ericsson.
To avoid sounding like AI, focus on building human expertise by exposing yourself to the work of others while trying and failing to create your own unique perspectives. This process creates a personalized database that sets your writing apart from AI-generated content.
Additionally, offer specific, personal anecdotes to provide a more human touch to your writing. Replace vague or generalized statements with concrete examples, such as sharing a time when trust was broken, the emotions experienced, and how the situation was handled. This approach makes your writing more relatable and human, leaving less work for the reader to do.
Lastly, have a strong opinion and take a stand on issues worth caring about. AI tends to shy away from controversial topics and instead opts for generic information that offends no one. Stand out by presenting a distinctive point of view, even if it may offend some readers. Remember, not everyone will agree with your perspective, but being your own learning corpus by controlling the material AI works from is key.
By offering unique sources and avoiding model collapse, you can ensure that your writing remains human and engaging.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
