5 Ways Businesses Can Humanise AI Content for Better Engagement
The human brain is remarkably skilled at spotting patterns. The more we’re exposed to AI-generated content, the more we start associating certain words, phrases, and even spelling styles with AI. When we repeatedly encounter the same stock phrases and overly formal tones, we instinctively begin to tune out. This is the risk with AI-created content: if it’s too recognisable as AI created, readers may subconsciously disengage before they’ve fully absorbed our message.
Although LLMs are improving all the time, AI-generated content still needs work to make it sound less robotic or American.
In my own work, I’ve noticed how easily AI’s language can stand out, and not always in the best way. Phrases like “delve into” or “with that in mind” tend to crop up again. I’ve seen this trend across all kinds of content, from LinkedIn posts to long-form blogs.
That’s why I created the 5 Ways to Humanise Your AI Content cheat sheet — something I use myself and share with clients.
1. Limit Your Use of Overused AI Words and Phrases
Words like “dynamic” and “empower” or phrases like “imagine being able to” can sound stale when used too often. To make your content stand out, try rephrasing these expressions or removing them altogether. Instead of “in today’s fast-paced world,” think about using a more direct or specific phrase that better suits your message.
GPTZero’s AI vocabulary tool could be useful here too as you can check your AI content to see how much it uses words and phrases commonly associated with AI – helping you to replace them with more distinctive language.
2. Ask for Outputs in British English
As someone based in Ireland, I work with clients who expect British English, so I am quick to spot when AI outputs contain Americanised spellings like “organize” or “color.” Since AI tools default to American English, I make it a habit to add instructions like “Write all responses using British English” to prompts and I also have it included in my “custom instructions” in ChatGPT (available for paid subscriptions).
3. Make It Original with Stories and Insights
Personal stories and reflections can do wonders for AI-generated content. When I am developing content with AI, I share experiences, like how I’ve used AI tools in my daily workflow or how I’ve tackled certain challenges. For B2B content, adding thought leadership insights or points of view based on your own data or commissioned research also adds authenticity and value. Including these anecdotes makes the content feel real and relatable, helping readers connect on a personal level. AI can provide the skeleton of the content, but it’s our own insights and stories that give it life.
4. Provide Examples of Good Content
AI learns best when it has a clear reference. By uploading examples of well-crafted content, you can guide AI tools to better replicate the tone, structure, and style you’re after. I find this especially helpful for maintaining brand voice and ensuring a consistent tone across different types of content. Whether it’s blog posts or LinkedIn updates, using an example can help the AI understand what “good” looks like and steer it toward higher-quality output.
5. Moderate your use of emojis
While emojis can add personality, too many can make content feel cluttered or unprofessional. AI often includes emojis liberally, especially in social media drafts, so be mindful when reviewing. Ask yourself if each emoji enhances the message or distracts from it, and keep them minimal for a more polished look.
Final Thoughts
Humanising AI content is all about creating an experience that feels genuine and engaging. These five strategies have helped me make my AI-generated content more relatable, and I hope they’ll help you do the same.
Ready to take your AI content to the next level?
If you’re interested in exploring how your team can get better results from AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, get in touch. I work with businesses to help them transform their workflows with AI and offer hands-on workshops and custom AI training sessions to help teams master these tools.