We live in a time where AI can whip up entire emails, scripts, marketing copy (fill prompt in the blank), and automate countless tasks we used to do by hand (much of this article was copy edited and tightened up by AI). It’s tempting to just run with the raw AI output - maybe even copy and paste it without thinking.
It’s easy to let speed overshadow precise communication. But taking a few extra moments to ensure your AI output actually says what you intend can make all the difference. This separates “AI slop” from genuine, valuable communication. That speed gap is an important distinction between humans and AI - and the fact that we’re slower may ultimately prove to be a long-term advantage..
A recent incident on my team during a project that required lots of high touch client communication across various channels. Things were moving fast. Someone copy-and-pasted an AI-prompted email, quickly sent it off, but forgot to add a subject line. Small slip, big impact - it looked unintentionally unprofesh. That tiny detail mattered in a big way. In this AI-accelerated world, the real difference is in the details and the mindful decisions behind them. Most importantly, if you don’t truly understand why something works, you’re undercutting your own value and growth.
Good communication is about more than well-crafted copy - it’s about understanding what works, why it works, and how to adapt it. If you’re using AI generations (or templates, for that matter), there is a cost to just copying and pasting. By skipping the deeper reason behind each phrase or structure, you lose a chance to learn, adapt, and truly own your message. So I recommend: Don’t just copy, ask, “Why is this phrasing effective? What problem is it solving? How can I make it my own?”.
When you understand the “why,” you can refine, make meaningful choices, and hone your voice - even in a crowd of AI-generated content. Tools and automation are fantastic for speeding up tasks, but your unique insights, experience, and deliberate thinking give your work substance.
Personally, I lean heavily on AI to streamline workflows - I just don’t let it do all the thinking. Check your details, learn from every email you send, and make each decision your own. That’s how we stay ahead in the age of speed and automation.
For more on the importance of decisions check out The Art of Choosing: Why Decisions Are the New Measure of Creativity
