The real problem with AI content isn’t what you think

The problem with AI isn’t that it writes badly.

In fact, it’s kind of the opposite. It writes too well. It churns out neat, tidy paragraphs that follow every “best practice” and sound… fine.

But fine isn’t good.

Fine doesn’t stop someone scrolling. It doesn’t make them think “wow, that’s interesting.” It doesn’t build trust or make anyone want to buy from you.

That’s the trap I see so many businesses falling into. They let AI write the thing, give it a skim, maybe fix a typo or two, and then hit publish.

And then they wonder why nothing happens.

The problem is... AI can’t give you a point of view. It can’t tell stories from your experience. It can’t pull insights out of your head.

If your content sounds robotic, it’s because you left it to the robot.

Why AI is still worth using (you just need to use it smarter)

Before you close the tab and swear off AI forever, let me be clear: AI is a brilliant tool.

It can save you hours on the boring stuff — brainstorming ideas, turning rough notes into a draft, reorganising messy thoughts. I use it every single day.

But you need to use it like a co-writer, not the only writer.

Because when you let it do all the work? You end up with that bland, “meh” content that sounds like everyone else.

The goal is to use AI for speed, but still layer on your voice, your ideas, and your expertise. That’s where the magic is.

How to make your AI content sound human

Alright, let’s get into the actual “fixing it” part.

If you want AI content that doesn’t sound like it came out of an AI factory, here’s the process I use:

1. Train your AI

Most people skip this part (which is why their AI content sounds nothing like them).

Before you start generating anything, you need to feed your AI examples of your brand voice. The words you use. The tone you write in. The way you structure sentences.

That’s why I built a Voice Training Template into my AI-Smart Content Kit. It walks you through creating a “voice library” you can paste into ChatGPT (or whatever you’re using) so it actually writes in a way that feels like you.

2. Brief like a pro

AI isn’t magic. It’s just a very fancy prediction machine. If you give it a lazy one-line prompt (“Write me a blog about superannuation”), you’ll get a lazy, generic response.

If you want good content, you need good prompts.

Instead of “write me a LinkedIn post about leadership,” try:
“Write me a LinkedIn post about what makes a good leader. Use a conversational tone, 2–3 short paragraphs, and start with a personal anecdote. Make it punchy and easy to scan.”

See the difference?

That’s also why the kit includes a Prompt Library — over 35 ready-to-use prompts for posts, blogs, emails, and more.

3. Edit with intent

Here’s where a lot of people go wrong. They think editing AI content means fixing a couple of clunky sentences and swapping in a few “fun” words.

It’s not.

Editing is where you actually make the content yours. It’s:

  • Cutting out anything you’d never actually say.
  • Adding context, insights, or stories that only you know.
  • Reworking structure so it flows like a human wrote it.

This takes time. And honestly? It’s where a lot of people decide they’d rather just hand it off to someone else (which is exactly why I offer content consulting and retainers — more on that later).

4. Add the human layer

This is the part AI can’t fake.

Your content needs to sound like you wrote it, not a robot who read your website once. That means:

  • Drop in a personal story.
  • Share your actual opinion (even if it’s unpopular).
  • Add examples or metaphors that are unique to your experience.

AI can’t replicate that. And it’s the difference between content that just fills space and content that connects with people.

When to stop DIYing and bring in a pro

There’s a point where doing this yourself stops making sense.

If you’re:

  • Publishing regularly but not seeing any leads.
  • Tired of spending hours rewriting what AI gives you.
  • Struggling to create content that actually feels cohesive and on-brand…

That’s when it’s time to bring in someone who does this every day.

My content retainers and consulting sessions are built for exactly this — helping you create a content strategy that works, editing what you’ve got so it lands, and making sure you’re not wasting time on content that doesn’t convert.

Tools to make this 10x easier

If you’re not ready for a retainer or consulting, but you want a shortcut?

That’s why I created the AI-Smart Content Kit.

It’s the exact framework I use to make AI content work for my clients (and myself):

  • The Guide – How to use AI as a co-writer.
  • Prompt Library – 35+ ready-to-use prompts for blogs, posts, emails, and more.
  • Voice Training Template – Teach AI to write like you.
  • Editing Checklist – How to humanise your content quickly and effectively.
  • Before-and-After Swipe File – Real examples of robotic vs. fixed content.

It’s perfect if you want better content now, without hiring a writer.

Get the AI-Smart Content Kit here.

Want more than a kit? Let’s make your content work.

If you’re ready to go beyond DIY fixes and actually build content that drives leads, let’s talk.

  • Content retainers – Done-for-you content with strategy baked in.
  • 1:1 consulting – Bring me in to fix your content and set a direction you can actually stick to.

Book a 1:1 session or explore retainers.

AI isn’t going anywhere. But neither is bad content.

If you want to stand out? Make it sound like you.

About the author

Alice Xerri is the founder of AX Content, a Melbourne-based content consultancy helping businesses build from the ground up, one piece of content at a time.

She works with brands across finance, tech, and professional services to turn complex ideas into clear, confident content that drives growth.

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