There’s something strangely addictive about watching AI fill the screen with words in seconds.
It feels just so productive – and there’s nothing like ticking a big task off your to-do list without breaking a sweat. But here’s the thing I remind every leader and entrepreneur I work with:
Speed isn’t strategy. And ‘done’ doesn’t always mean ‘done well’.
Sure, the tools are impressive. But in your rush to keep up, it’s easy to forget the most valuable asset in the room: you.
That includes:
Your experience.
Your expertise.
Your emotional intelligence.
AI can produce content fast – but it can’t reflect your years in the industry, your training, your gut instinct, or your ability to connect on a human level. That’s why, as I share in my book AI-Human Fusion and in every single keynote and training session, the real magic doesn’t happen when you generate content with AI. It happens when you pause, strategise, and reflect upon the process.
So let’s hit pause now – and explore why speed alone isn’t enough.
The dopamine trap: Why fast feels good (but isn’t always best…)
AI gives us what we crave: instant results.
You provide a prompt (aka instructions) and all these awesome-sounding words instantly appear out of thin air. Problem solved. Right?
However, while it seems efficient, it’s also deceiving. Because what your brain interprets as “job done” is, in reality, just a “first draft.”
That dopamine rush you get from watching AI start or finish your thoughts? That’s not a sign of strategic brilliance. It’s your brain reacting to the illusion of completion. And I see it all the time. People get hooked on the speed – and forget to stop and think.
But if you’ve ever published something generated in seconds… and then felt a weird sense of “this isn’t quite right”… you already know the truth. AI is fast. But it’s not ‘thoughtful’. It doesn’t know your goals, your audience, your voice – not unless you train it, refine it, and review it.
Which is why this next bit really matters. Because when you pause and layer in your human intelligence – that’s when content becomes meaningful, strategic, and aligned.
And that’s where the three Es come in – Experience, Expertise, and Emotional Intelligence.
Experience: The wisdom behind your words
AI hasn’t walked in your shoes.
It hasn’t sat in the meetings. Handled the difficult clients. Navigated the messy projects. Celebrated your wins. And it doesn’t know what didn’t work last time – or why a certain phrase might hit the wrong note with your audience.
But you do.
Your experience is your filter. It’s what helps you read between the lines, spot what’s missing, and know instinctively when the tone’s off or the angle doesn’t quite land.
AI can write – but it’s up to you to make sure it’s right.
And in a world where anyone can generate content in seconds, that human layer of lived insight is what makes your message stand out. It’s what turns ordinary into original – and strategy into impact.
Expertise: The depth AI can’t fake
Over the years, you’ve put in the hard yards. You’ve gained qualifications, completed courses, and lined up certifications. All those hours of deep reading, professional development, and lived learning has built the solid foundation you stand on today.
That’s your expertise.
And no matter how convincingly AI strings words together, it doesn’t understand the same material as you. Not unless you’ve trained it on absolutely every single memory and thought contained within your brain. (I’m sure one day we’ll be able to upload everything from our brains into a computer…but until then…)
Sure, AI can remix surface-level knowledge it’s been pre-trained with. But it doesn’t know what’s outdated, what’s legally risky, what’s oversimplified – or what’s just plain wrong. Unless you provide direction.
That’s why your expertise matters more than ever. Because AI doesn’t replace it – it requires it.
Your job is to critique AI-generated content. Call out the fluff and bullsh*t. And make changes where necessary. It’s up to you to say, “This is close – now let’s make it accurate, relevant, and valuable by changing/adding X, Y, and Z.”
This customisation is absolutely key. But so many leaders are completely missing this step.
Emotional intelligence: The human spark AI can’t replicate
AI can copy your tone of voice. But it can’t feel. It doesn’t get nervous before a pitch. Or know what it’s like to sit across from a client who’s overwhelmed or unsure. It also can’t sense the hesitation in someone’s voice or pick up on subtle shifts in mood mid-conversation.
But you can.
Your emotional intelligence is what helps you communicate with empathy. It’s what allows you to write in a way that reassures, inspires, or gently challenges – depending on what your audience needs in that moment.
It’s also where storytelling lives. The kind that taps into real emotion, real experiences, and real connection. The kind that doesn’t just inform – but moves people. (Human copywriters are particularly good at this!)
AI can generate content. But it doesn’t know when something’s flat, robotic, or missing heart – not unless you step in.
That’s why this final “E” might just be the most important one. Because in a world full of sameness, your emotional intelligence is what makes your message human. So make sure you’re throwing life into your content. Add those anecdotes, case studies, favourite catch phrases, and dad jokes. It will resonate with your audience much more than fancy, but flat, AI-generated words.
Remember – You’re still the expert
There’s no question about it – AI is fast. But the best results don’t come from pressing “enter” and walking away. They come from treating AI like a first draft, not a final product. You need to collaborate with the tool and bring in your experience, expertise, and emotional intelligence to ensure quality.
So take that extra time to pause, review. And adjust the content.Your input is what transforms bland into brilliant. Don’t rush the process. Because ultimately, we need to keep it human.
Want to learn more about my human-first approach to AI?
Grab your copy of AI-Human Fusion – now available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon, Booktopia, and Dymocks.
Ready to bring this message to your team or event?
I deliver keynotes and workshops that empower leaders, teams, and organisations to confidently integrate AI – without losing the human edge. Email me at hello@humanedgeai.com to explore what that could look like for you.
P.S. This article was shaped by AI, steered by a human with opinions.
