AI and Automation: 5 ways to keep your writing human in an AI-heavy workplace
According to research from HarrisX and Ragan, 76% of communicators say writing and editing are core skills they need to improve, and nearly 70% expect AI to reshape their roles within three years. That's pressure from every angle: produce credible work, keep a distinct voice, and hit business goals while AI tools hum in the background. Source: HarrisX.
At Ragan's Writing and Content Strategy Virtual Conference on Dec. 10, editors, writers and AI pros will break down how to make that balance work. Here's a preview from five speakers-practical moves you can apply today.
1) Tell the story the way you'd tell it to a friend
"Always think audience-first," said Michael Rothman of TD Bank. Picture one real person you trust. Explain it to them. Then ask: would they retell this?
That simple shift cleans up the fluff. You'll choose verbs that land, details you can feel, and a clear path from setup to payoff.
2) Train your tools the way you train your writers
"To keep my work from sounding like generic AI slop, I built a style guide that teaches the models I use the patterns of well-written human-generated copy," said Stephanie Paterik of The Trade Desk. She sets guardrails for tone, cadence, structure-and feeds transcripts and human-written samples to teach voice.
Your style guide is the engine. Define transitions, sentence length, banned phrases, and examples of "this, not that." Give AI something real to imitate instead of letting it default to corporate filler.
3) Begin with a sentence only you could write
"Start with a real, human sentence only you could write, then let AI clean it up without changing your voice," said Meiko S Patton of the United States Postal Service. Use personalization settings (custom instructions) so every draft follows your style out of the gate. See: Custom instructions.
One true line sets the spine for everything that follows. Lead with your take, your texture, your point of view-then let AI handle clarity, formatting, and consistency.
4) Let your actions define your tone
"Generic corporate language predates AI," said Assaf Kedem of BNP Paribas. The fix isn't clever phrasing-it's credibility. Back every claim with a real action, follow through, respond fast, and individualize outreach.
When behavior matches the message, the writing feels human. Address people by name. Avoid mass blasts when you can. Customize content by segment and context.
5) Talk it out before you type it out
"My favorite quick tip is to simply talk it out," said Dr. Hava Rose of Pause. Make a voice note, then transcribe it. You'll capture rhythm, emphasis, and a natural sequence.
Spoken-first drafts read cleaner and cut revision time. You'll keep the pulse that often gets lost on the page.
Quick workflow checklist
- Open with one sentence only you would write. Then edit for clarity, not sameness.
- Maintain a living style guide: tone rules, sentence length ranges, transition patterns, banned cliches, and examples.
- Feed AI your transcripts, interviews, and approved past copy to lock in voice.
- Use custom instructions for tone, formatting, and brand rules; revisit monthly.
- Individualize distribution: names, timing, segments, and context over mass sends.
- Back every promise with an action. If the action isn't ready, soften the claim.
- Draft by speaking. Transcribe, then trim. Keep the rhythm, lose the fluff.
What's next
Bring your pen, your prompts and your skepticism as we tackle journalistic rigor, persuasive storytelling, editing under pressure, AI prompt fluency, content strategy and AEO/GEO performance at the Writing and Content Strategy Virtual Conference on Dec. 10.
Want to sharpen your prompt skills and find courses aligned to your role? Explore AI courses by job or browse practical prompt courses to speed up your workflow without losing your voice.
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