AI Writing Is Making the Internet Worse—And Real Writers Know It

Why AI Writing Falls Short for PR and Communications Professionals

For years, we've heard endless praise about generative AI's potential to transform content creation. Marketers and PR folks rave about its ability to boost efficiency, break down barriers, and churn out copy at lightning speed. While AI tools can certainly accelerate research, streamline workflows, and save time (and money), the actual quality of AI-generated writing leaves much to be desired.

AI writing is largely garbage. The content flooding the internet from AI tools often reads like soulless marketing jargon—full of clichés, lacking personality, and emotionally flat. It sounds robotic and uninspired, with little regard for unique voice or genuine insight. Worse, AI-generated text frequently includes inaccuracies and misinformation, sometimes even fabricating details or sources.

AI Copy Lacks the Human Touch

Sure, an AI can quickly assemble a formulaic argument or a structured essay. But meaningful writing requires more than just stringing words together logically. It demands creativity, subtlety, and an authentic voice that reflects the writer’s experience and perspective. AI doesn’t “understand” what it’s writing; it predicts the next word based on patterns, without grasping meaning or nuance.

This distinction is critical. Writing is not just syntax—it’s about conveying ideas with originality and emotional resonance. Many AI outputs are safe and bland because the algorithm defaults to what’s statistically most common, avoiding risks that often make human writing memorable. The unexpected turns and “mistakes” in genuine writing often carry the most impact, something AI simply cannot replicate.

Real-World Examples of AI’s Shortcomings

• Major newspapers once published AI-generated book recommendations with titles that don’t exist.
• Some self-published authors accidentally left AI prompt instructions in final drafts.
• Sports magazines released AI-written articles by fake authors.
• Lawyers relying on AI for legal precedents encountered hallucinated cases that never happened.
• Sci-fi magazines had to pause submissions after receiving a flood of AI-generated stories that were easy to spot due to their poor quality.

These incidents highlight that AI-generated writing is not ready to replace human creativity or editorial oversight. It can mislead readers and damage credibility if not carefully managed.

Why AI Isn't a Substitute for Skilled Writers

There’s a common misconception that AI is “intelligent.” It’s not. Think of the “Chinese Room” thought experiment: a person inside a room uses a manual to respond to Chinese characters without understanding the language. To outsiders, it looks like the person understands Chinese, but they don’t. AI works similarly—it matches patterns without comprehension.

Writing involves countless micro-decisions shaped by personal experience, taste, and intuition. AI can’t replicate that depth. It only mimics the surface features of writing, producing content that often feels generic and uninspired.

What This Means for PR and Communications Pros

AI can be a helpful tool for routine tasks like research, data analysis, or drafting simple outlines. But relying on it for creative, impactful writing is a mistake. If you want to connect with your audience, invest in skilled writers who bring real insight and personality to their work.

And if you’re curious about using AI tools effectively without sacrificing quality, consider training resources that teach how to complement—not replace—human creativity. For example, Complete AI Training offers courses that help professionals understand AI’s strengths and limits in content creation.

Ultimately, AI writing is not a shortcut to quality. It’s a shortcut to more noise. Focus on human talent if you want your communications to stand out.