Why Your AI Content Sucks, (& Why it Doesn’t Have To)

Enhance, Journey, Tapestry, Key.

If you’ve seen these words in an article, then it’s most likely written by AI. And I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s a complete turn-off.

It seems like just about every article on the internet has been written — or, to use AI’s words, enhanced — by AI to some extent or another. And it takes the soul out of it. It makes everything just boring, to be honest.

Now, I’m not here to shame or bash anyone, or to say that if you use AI in your writing, that you suck and shouldn’t write or whatever. AI is a tool. A very useful tool. And one that can be used to make your writing better.

But I don’t think it’s being used in the right way.

Really, I don’t even like the word “AI.” This isn’t artificial intelligence we’re dealing with, after all. It sees words as an input, and it can predict — granted, with an amazing degree of accuracy — but still only predict what the next words should be, and the next ones, and the next ones, and the next ones.

Sure, with ChatGPT’s functions like search and reasoning, it can improve upon these sectors to a degree. But if I just wanted to read something written by ChatGPT, well, I would log into ChatGPT, type in a headline or something to be read, and I’d read that.

So, where do we go from here?

You can’t tell people to stop using AI. That’s not going to happen. If anything, its implementation has already reached its peak, and if it hasn’t, it will only increase.

Perhaps the goal, then, is to use AI the correct way. So, what is the correct way?

Why AI Content Sucks

Before we can figure out how to fix AI generated content, we first need to understand its biggest flaws.

Lack of Originality & Personality

AI is like a parrot. It repeats what it’s been fed, but there’s no heart in it (that may not be fair to parrots). You’ll often find yourself reading the same tired phrases and generic ideas over and over. It’s efficient, sure, but it strips the writing of any individuality. Every article starts to sound the same, and it’s almost like you’re being talked at, not talked to. Human writers have quirks, style, and voice — things AI just can’t replicate (without the right nudging).

Poor Structure & Coherence

One of the less common issues with AI-generated content is the lack of flow. AI might string together sentences that technically make sense, but the structure can feel disjointed. You’ll read a section, and then suddenly, the next paragraph doesn’t really build on the last. It jumps between ideas, sometimes making logical leaps that don’t quite land. This is easy enough to fix by shuffling the content around, but you need to be aware that the issue is there.

Fact-Checking & Misinformation Issues

AI’s knowledge isn’t always up to date. It can pull from outdated sources, spewing out information that’s not just incorrect but downright misleading. AI doesn’t have the ability to understand the context or verify facts, which means it can end up sharing half-truths or completely false claims. Without a human eye to catch mistakes, it’s a recipe for misinformation. Not to mention not all the information is pulls is going to be accurate anyway, trust it as much as you’d trust any other source online.

SEO-Optimized But Meaningless Content

We’ve all seen it: articles packed with keywords but short on substance. AI is great at picking up on SEO trends, but it often sacrifices meaning to hit those sweet keyword targets. You’ll get content that’s designed to rank high on Google but doesn’t actually tell you anything useful. It’s all about the algorithm, not the reader, and the result is just a bunch of fluff that leaves you frustrated.

Overuse of Clichés & Buzzwords

AI loves a good buzzword. Unfortunately, it doesn’t know when to stop. It cranks out phrases like “game-changer,” “cutting-edge,” and “innovative,” but without real examples or substance behind them. These overused terms have lost their power, yet AI continues to churn them out, hoping they’ll impress. The result is a piece that feels hollow, like it’s trying too hard to sound important but lacks the depth to back it up.

Why AI Content Doesn’t Have to Suck (How to Fix It)

While AI has its flaws, it doesn’t have to lead to the boring, robotic content we’re all trying to avoid. In fact, when used correctly, it can be a great tool for any writer.

Give AI a Stronger Input

AI is only as good as the prompt you give it. If you feed it generic instructions, you’ll get generic content in return. To improve the output, provide specific instructions, a unique angle, and clear guidelines. The more detailed your input, the more likely the AI will produce results that are tailored to your needs. Think of the prompt as the skeleton, and with the right one, AI can give you a much more fleshed-out piece to work with.

Add a Human Touch

AI might generate decent content, but it lacks soul. That’s where you come in. Take what AI provides and inject it with your personality and voice. Edit the text to make it sound like you wrote it — not like a machine. Use AI as a starting point or a rough draft, and then refine it. Smooth out the structure, add flair, and give the piece the warmth and individuality that only a human can bring.

Fact-Check and Provide Real Data

Don’t rely on AI to do all the legwork when it comes to accuracy. Since AI doesn’t have real-time access to current events or fact-checking databases, you’ll need to verify the claims it makes. Cross-check the information, supplement it with recent research, and add expert quotes or personal insights to ensure the content is both accurate and valuable.

Focus on Value Over Keywords

AI might be great at SEO, but it often focuses too much on keywords and not enough on the actual value of the content. Instead of overloading your article with SEO terms, prioritize readability and usefulness. Balance the AI’s SEO advantages with well-researched, engaging writing that provides real value to the reader. The result will be content that performs well in search rankings while still being informative and enjoyable to read.

Train the AI to Learn Your Style

AI doesn’t have to be a stranger to your writing style. You can teach it how you like to write by feeding it previous examples of your work. This iterative feedback helps AI understand the nuances of your voice and the kind of tone you want to convey. The more you refine the output with corrections and adjustments, the better it will mimic your style over time.

Combine AI with Human Creativity

AI is excellent for generating ideas, creating outlines, and even drafting content. But it’s no replacement for human creativity. Use AI for its efficiency, but always take the time to refine the output yourself. The goal is to leverage AI’s capabilities while maintaining human-level quality and engagement. By combining AI’s speed with your own creativity, you can produce content that’s both quick to generate and rich in value.

AI as a Copyeditor

This is my personal favourite way to use AI, a doped up, steroid addicted power machine cousin to Grammarly. AI tools are fantastic for catching minor errors that might slip through your own review. Whether it’s grammar mistakes, punctuation issues, or repetitive phrasing, AI can streamline the process by handling the small, tedious details.

Keeping consistency throughout your writing can be tough, especially when you’re juggling multiple pieces of content. AI can help maintain a steady tone, proper tense, and uniform formatting across your work. This is particularly useful when you’re writing a large volume of content, like blog posts, emails, or reports, where consistency is key for readability and professionalism.

AI tools can go beyond simple grammar checks and offer suggestions for improving sentence structure, flow, or readability. These suggestions can help guide your writing toward greater clarity and impact. However, it’s important to use them as guidance rather than a hard rule. You’re still in control of your voice and style.

You have the power to shape the future of writing. Don’t let AI take control of your voice — use it to develop your creativity, streamline your process, and create something that is more than the sum of its parts. Your words matter, and with the right balance of AI and human ingenuity, you can produce content that stands out, adds real value, and truly speaks to people.

So, let’s use AI the right way. Let’s make our writing better, faster, and more meaningful, while staying true to what makes it uniquely ours. And most of all, have fun writing!