How Do We Balance Human-Created Content with AI-Generated Content?
Let’s cut through the hype: AI tools like ChatGPT can write a blog post in 10 seconds. But ask them to crack a joke about your niche industry’s inside drama? Crickets. The future of content isn’t about humans or AI—it’s about marrying machine speed with human soul. Here’s how to strike the balance without turning your brand into a content factory.
1. Use AI as a Sidekick, Not a Superhero
AI’s great for grunt work, but it can’t replace your voice. Assign it roles like:
- Research assistant: Summarize reports, pull stats, or draft outlines.
- Idea generator: Spitball 20 headline options (then trash 19).
- Editor: Fix grammar, tighten sentences, or adjust tone.
Example: Marketing agency Later uses AI to brainstorm Instagram captions, but humans add meme references and brand-specific jokes.
2. Double Down on Human-Only Superpowers
Artificial intelligence can’t replicate lived experiences, hot takes, or cringe fails. Lean into what makes you human:
- Share messy stories. “Why Our Product Launch Flopped (And What We Ate to Cope).”
- Rant (strategically). A B2B SaaS blog titled “Why ‘Disruption’ is a Terrible Buzzword” stands out.
- Curate, don’t regurgitate. AI summarizes trends; humans add opinions.
Case Study: Glitch, a tech blog, publishes “Unfiltered Dev Confessions” where engineers rant about coding fails. Readers stick around for the chaos.
3. Keep AI Content on a Leash
Unedited AI content is like serving raw cookie dough—risky and half-baked. Always:
- Inject personality. Rewrite robotic phrases (“utilize” → “use,” “commence” → “start”).
- Add anecdotes. Got a stat about productivity? Slap in a story about your 3 AM coffee spill.
- Fact-check like a skeptic. AI hallucinates dates, names, and “facts” (RIP, fake Supreme Court cases).
4. Label Artificial intelligence Content—Or Don’t. But Be Strategic
Transparency builds trust, but rules vary:
- Disclose when it matters. Financial advice? Legal content? Hell yes. A list of “50 Cat Cafés in Tokyo”? Maybe not.
- Turn AI use into a story. “How We Used ChatGPT to Draft This Post (And Why We Rewrote 80%).”
- Let audiences decide. Morning Brew’s “Tech Brew” admits when AI helps—readers don’t care as long as it’s useful.
5. Train AI on Your Brand’s DNA
Generic AI sounds like everyone else. Teach it your quirks:
- Feed it your best work. Upload past blogs, emails, or social posts to mimic your voice.
- Create a “no-fly list” of phrases. Ban jargon like “leverage,” “synergy,” or “disruptive.”
- Add inside jokes. If your skincare brand roasts “miracle cures,” program AI to avoid “magic” claims.
Pro Tip: Jasper’s “Brand Voice” feature clones your tone. But still—edit like your brand’s reputation depends on it (because it does).
6. Let Humans Do the “First and Last 10%”
Artificial intelligence handles the middle; humans bookend creativity:
- First 10%: Brainstorm angles only a human would get. (e.g., “Tax Tips for Freelancers Who Hate Adulting”)
- Last 10%: Add CTAs that feel human (“Need help? Slide into our DMs. We’ve been there.”)
7. Audit Content Like a Punk Rock Critic
Not all content needs a human touch. Sort it like laundry:
- “Fast Fashion” Content: Social posts, product descriptions, FAQs. Let AI handle these.
- “Haute Couture” Content: Thought leadership, personal essays, crisis responses. Keep these 100% human.
- Hybrid: Blogs, newsletters, case studies. Use Artificial intelligence drafts + human rewrites.
8. When in Doubt, Ask: “Would This Make My Audience Cry/Laugh/Cringe?”
If the answer’s yes, keep it human. If it’s blandly helpful, AI’s your buddy.
- AI-friendly: “How to Reset Your Router”
- Human-only: “How I Reset My Life After Burnout (Router Tips Included)”
Final Word: AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement
The goal isn’t to mimic humans—it’s to free them up to do what machines can’t: be weird, vulnerable, and wildly specific. Use AI to handle the mundane, then let your team obsess over the details that make your audience say, “Wait, did they actually read my mind?
