Consider this scenario: A student uses AI to craft what they think is a professional-sounding email requesting a letter of recommendation. However, when the faculty member receives 25 nearly identical AI-generated requests, they’re frustrated that students didn’t personally craft their requests. The faculty member then uses AI to help generate the requested letters of recommendation. The resulting letters hit all the intended points but lack the personal insights and variations that individual writing would provide. When the admissions committee receives 50 similar AI-generated letters, they can’t distinguish between candidates—everyone sounds the same.
While it might sound nice, it’s important to keep in mind that AI’s default voice might impact your reader differently than you expect. While there are places, such as a formal lab report, where the voice of the author is not a key component, in most cases your writing expresses a voice that helps differentiate your own unique perspective as an author. As readers, we find it both more engaging and more authentic when we encounter the varied voices that come from different authors.
When writing or creating a piece of work, it’s important to start with the intended audience when evaluating how you might choose to interact with AI. Consider your reader’s expectations and the context in which your work will be received.
Some considerations for preserving your voice:
- Know your audience – Different contexts call for different levels of personal voice and AI integration
- Recognize AI’s default tone – AI often produces generic, polished-sounding text that lacks personal perspective
- Maintain your unique perspective – Your experiences, insights, and way of thinking are valuable and irreplaceable
- Use AI as a starting point, not an endpoint – Let AI help generate ideas, then rework them in your own voice
- Consider when voice matters – Ask when a piece of writing would benefit from your authentic personal expression