By Ayo Bamgbose ACIM, Assoc CIPD, MA, MSc, BSc
AI has sparked endless debates, hasn’t it? Some love it, some loathe it, and others fall somewhere in between. But when it comes to content creation, I’ve noticed two camps that often miss the mark.
First, we have those who are completely against AI. They see it as a threat, diluting how we communicate and removing the human touch from writing altogether. On the opposite end, we have those who are all in on AI—but not in the right way. They copy and paste AI-generated content without refining it, customising it, or adding their voice.
The problem? Both camps fail to see the real benefits of AI when it’s used thoughtfully.
When I first started using AI a few years ago, I was curious. Could it really speed up content creation? Could it make my life easier? At first, I’ll admit, I experimented by letting AI do most of the heavy lifting. Copy, paste, done. But as I tested it more, I realised something important: AI is only as effective as the person using it.
Over time, I started to refine my approach. I communicated with AI in my tone, shared my knowledge, and treated it like a trusted assistant rather than an all-knowing expert. That’s when the magic happened. People started to notice. My content still sounded like me, authentic, informed, and relatable.
Why AI Needs Your Expertise
Here’s the thing about AI: it can hallucinate. If you’re not careful, it might serve up outdated or inaccurate information that could make you look unprofessional.
Let me give you an example. About a year ago, I was working on an article about learning tools. I asked AI to curate a list of the best platforms. One suggestion it offered was Edmodo, a platform I used to teach on and even earned an instructor’s certificate for. But here’s the catch: Edmodo shut down in September 2022. AI didn’t know that. If I hadn’t been an expert in my field, I might have trusted the recommendation and published something that made me look silly.
This is why it’s so important to pair AI with your knowledge. You need to fact-check, refine, and, most importantly, ensure the content reflects your voice and expertise.
AI shouldn’t be your ghostwriter—it should be your co-writer. Here’s how you can strike the right balance:
Be the Expert: Only ask AI to assist in areas where you already have knowledge. That way, you can spot any errors or inaccuracies.
Add Your Voice: Rewrite and refine AI-generated content so it sounds like you. Use your tone, your phrasing, and your personality.
Fact-Check Everything: Don’t assume AI knows it all. Cross-check any claims, stats, or suggestions before publishing.
Collaborate, Don’t Copy: Treat AI as a brainstorming partner. Let it give you ideas, but always add your unique touch.
AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a replacement for your expertise or creativity. When used wisely, it can enhance your writing, speed up your workflow, and help you share your knowledge with the world. But if you rely on it blindly, you risk losing your voice and credibility.
So, let’s embrace AI as our trusted assistant, not our ghostwriter. Let it support us, not overshadow us. After all, your voice is what makes your content stand out.
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The Takeaway Your turn...
Have you ever had a “hallucinating AI” moment? Or do you have tips for making AI work for you?
Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear them!