How to not write like an AI

When ChatGPT first came along, it opened up a whole new horizon for many writers, including me.

Just think about it: you had some modest ideas in your head, but you were unsure whether they would come out well in writing.

With the help of chatGPT, not only could those ideas be polished to perfection, but your writing could also grow new wings and soar higher.

But like all good things, ChatGPT and generative AI in general comes with its downsides. After the initial wave of excitement, we began to realise that no matter how impressive AI-generated writing looks on the surface, it often lacks the distinctive heart and soul of a truly human voice.

Moreover, AI-generated texts tend to follow certain patterns. To a trained eye, these patterns easily give away the fact that the piece was not written by a human being, but by a bot.

Nearly two years since ChatGPT's arrival, this has become a major turn-off for many readers. The moment they detect those telltale signs of AI involvement, they lose interest, regardless of how strong the substance of the writing actually may be. 

That is particularly problematic if the reader holds some kind of authority, say, someone grading your paper or reviewing your piece for publication.

You might have noticed that AI tends to overuse a handful of clichéd words. Think about words like navigate, unwavering, pivotal, empower, realm, leverage, foster—the list goes on. Avoid such words. For example, instead of writing "navigating challenges in a complex landscape," maybe you could just write "worked through a tough time." That does not take anything away from your hardship, only makes it a bit more relatable.

However, even if there is no such concern tied to it, constantly relying on AI to write for you poses a real threat to your own creativity. If you depend too much on a machine to express your thoughts, there may come a day when you will struggle to express anything on your own.

That brings us to the topic: how not to write like an AI. A few years ago, this might have sounded silly. But today, in a bid to preserve your own voice and creative dignity, it is as important as ever.

1. Always write the first draft yourself

Do you think it is a smart move to feed a few prompts into AI and let it handle the rest? Make no mistake, this way it rarely captures what you really want to say. Without your full context or emotion, AI ends up recycling someone else's ideas, and the result often feels off, far from what you initially desired.

That is why it is so necessary to write the first draft yourself. It may be clumsy or scattered, but those raw thoughts are what make your writing yours. Let AI help with editing later if needed, but not before you have done the heavy lifting of thinking, feeling, and putting it into words.

2. Use real-life details

AI often writes in a kind of abstract vacuum—lots of generic claims, but little texture. That is hardly humane, because human beings tend to write from experience, no matter how trivial or insignificant it is. Adding a touch of your reality, even in non-fiction or opinion pieces, makes a world of difference.

For example, don't just say, "Writing can be challenging." Say, "I once spent an entire afternoon stuck on a two-line paragraph, only to delete it the next morning." That kind of vivid detail adds layers to your writing and gives readers something to connect with.

3.  Avoid cliché AI words

You might have noticed that AI tends to overuse a handful of clichéd words. These words may appear smart or formal, but they often strip the writing of any real personality. They sound like they are trying too hard to be the next Shashi Tharoor, which ironically makes them sound robotic.

Think about words like navigate, unwavering, pivotal, empower, realm, leverage, foster—the list goes on. You will find them scattered across LinkedIn posts and AI blogs alike. Avoid such words. For example, instead of writing "navigating challenges in a complex landscape," maybe you could just write "worked through a tough time." That does not take anything away from your hardship, only makes it a bit more relatable.

4. Write imperfectly, intentionally

AI is a perfectionist (not with data, but with language). It aims for smooth, polished sentences that glide from one to the next. Sounds nice in theory, but in practice? It often comes off flat. Too clean, too safe. Real writing is not always tidy. It has bumps and surprises. And that is exactly what makes it feel alive.

Don't be afraid to break a few grammar rules. Start a sentence with "but" or "and." Let a sentence trail off. Use fragments. Add a personal aside in the middle of a thought. For example, instead of saying, "This has had a significant impact on my development," try, "It changed me. Honestly, more than I expected."

5. Don't try to sound neutral all the time

AI leans heavily toward neutrality. It is programmed to avoid controversy, balance all sides, and be inoffensive. Like, it will not call out Israel's actions in Gaza without immediately balancing the statement in the next breath. That makes it spineless. But human writing gets its strength from having a point of view. You don't have to be extreme, but you do have to care about something.

So, instead of writing, "There are pros and cons to both sides," say, "Personally, I think this side makes more sense, and here's why." Even if a reader disagrees with you, they will at least appreciate that there is a you in the writing. That honesty makes a difference.

6. Let questions stay unanswered

Machines like to give clean answers and almost happily-ever-after conclusions. They like everything explained, nothing left hanging. But humans are not always certain. We doubt, we wonder, we speculate. And sometimes, we write just to work things out, not to declare something as the final verdict.

So, don't shy away from ending with a question or letting a paragraph sit with some ambiguity. Instead of "This proves we need to act now," maybe write, "Or perhaps we just keep pretending things are fine. I am not sure anymore." That kind of vulnerability can be powerful. At least more powerful than a whole lot of nothing.