AI, and the need for human input

AI is everywhere. And so is AI-generated content.

Scroll through LinkedIn. Search for product descriptions. Browse blogs, captions, job ads ... you’ll feel it.

The same tone. The same optimism. The same safe, vaguely uplifting phrasing that feels like… well, nothing.

Because more and more people have found their way to tools like ChatGPT and image generators. But here’s the catch: they’re not using them well. They’re not briefing, not contextualizing, not editing. They’re just… generating. And publishing.

And that’s where we need to be careful.

The Dead Internet theory

A friend mentioned something recently that stopped me in my tracks:

“The dead Internet”

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But the more I listened, the more it pulled me in. The idea is that someday - maybe even already - much of the content online won’t be created by humans at all. It’ll be machine-written. Automated. Polished, sure, but lifeless.

No intent. No personality. No heart.

And strangely enough… I was mesmerized by the thought. Not horrified. Not panicked. Just genuinely struck by how possible it felt.

Because I’ve seen it happening. I’ve seen blog posts, articles, entire websites filled with words that feel strangely hollow. Like they were stitched together from good grammar and safe ideas, but no human had touched them.

And that’s where it clicked for me: There’s a fine line between using AI to support human creativity… and using it to replace it.

Let me be clear: I use AI too

Of course I do. I use it to write, to polish, to explore phrasing. But I don’t start there. I start with me. With thoughts, outlines, voice, meaning. AI, in that case, is like the editor or writing assistant I can’t afford to hire full-time. It helps me get sharper. It helps me shape my ideas. But they are still my ideas.

That’s the difference. I’m not asking AI to create something out of thin air. I’m giving it direction. A briefing. Context. Emotion. Logic.

That’s the only way it adds value.

The real risk isn’t AI. It’s us.

When people start using AI without care, without critical thought, we risk more than just dull writing.

We risk:

• Letting go of our own creativity

• Relying on machines to define “good enough”

• Forgetting how to think independently

• Creating noise instead of substance

And ironically, while everyone’s panicking about AI replacing jobs…The much bigger danger is that we’re replacing ourselves.

We need to talk about this more

There’s a real gap in education and ethics here.

AI is already being used ... everywhere. But the average user has no idea how it works, what to expect, or how to use it well. There should be courses. There should be resources. Maybe even consultants or non-profits that focus on ethical, mindful, intentional AI use.

Because right now, there’s too little guidance. And too much speed.

The tech is evolving faster than our ability to wrap our heads around it. And the adoption is growing faster than our understanding.

What I hope for

I don’t want a “dead Internet”. I want a better one.

Where AI is a tool, not a ghostwriter.

Where prompts are specific, thoughtful, strategic.

Where content still has fingerprints. Still feels like a human made it.

Because AI can be brilliant. But only when we, the humans, show up too.