AI has a reputation for producing bland, hollow writing. You see it everywhere.
That’s not because AI tools are inherently bad at writing. It’s because we’re asking it to do the wrong kind of writing.
Where AI works well: Functional writing
AI is most useful for functional writing, which is straightforward and factual. Its purpose is to explain things, share information, or describe how something works.
You see this kind of writing in everyday work, like:
- Documentation
- Policies and procedures
- Instructions
- Fact sheets
Here AI can improve structure, clarity, and readability, and you can create a usable draft quickly. For this kind of work, “generic but clear” writing is fine (or even preferable in some cases).
Where AI misses the point: Expressive writing
The cracks start to show when we expect AI to produce writing that depends on original thought and voice.
Expressive writing is about sharing ideas, perspectives, and insights. It reflects an author’s own thoughts and experiences.
You see this kind of writing in things like:
- Personal essays
- Opinion pieces and thought leadership
- Creative work
This is where AI-generated text feels fake and off-putting. AI can imitate expression, but it can’t generate lived experience or personal meaning.
Gut Check: To AI, or not to AI
Before using AI in your writing, ask yourself:
- Am I trying to explain something vs. express something?
- Would “clear and logical but generic” be acceptable here?
If yes, AI can do more of the work.
If no, AI should support your thinking, not replace it.
Focus your AI use on writing that doesn’t need your original ideas and voice, so you have more time and energy to invest in writing that does.