How to Write Like a Human (With AI’s Help)

Writing is a powerful way for business analysis professionals to share hard-won insights, connect with the broader community, build credibility, and even earn juicy Continuing Development Units (CDUs).

And here’s the best part—IIBA would love to feature your work!

That’s right, YOU, with the half-finished draft you haven’t touched since December. Whether it's a bold idea, a lesson learned, or a strategy that paid off, we’re always looking for fresh perspectives from the community to enrich the Analyst Catalyst blog or Member Articles page.

Now before you start typing, you might be wondering, “What kind of articles actually make the cut?” Spoiler alert: they’re not the kind that open with, "In today's fast-paced world…"

Allow me to explain.

If you’re a regular writer or content creator, few things are worse than the proverbial blank page staring back at you, especially with a looming deadline. Believe me, I know. But what was once a necessary if painful step to summon the gods of inspiration has now become entirely optional thanks to AI—leading many to choose the path of least resistance (and authenticity).

As an African proverb has it, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Generative AI alone produces neither skilled writers nor engaging content. When not used thoughtfully, it can actually backfire—flattening everything in its path to a dull, uniform baseline.

AI is here to help, not take over (at least not yet). But it can sometimes be tempting to relinquish all responsibility for that scarcest of resources: time. Before you do, let me show you why that could cost you way more than it saves.

Your New Content Creation Frenemy

Large language models (LLMs)—ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and the like—are simultaneously the most overachieving interns and the most maddeningly literal colleagues you’ll ever have. To get the most out of them, treat every prompt like a carefully worded instruction manual.

Depending on how you use them, text-generative AI models can either make creating content feel effortless or result in a soulless word salad peppered with the predictable, the formulaic, and the mind-numbingly vague. They often do both with remarkable consistency. (But hey, at least it's grammatically correct, right?) 

The next time you hit "Generate" and outsource this noble task to the algorithms that live on your computer, take a moment to consider the value of using AI mindfully and selectively. It takes a bit more time and effort, but it’s worth it.

The AI Formula for Mediocrity

LLMs are redefining not just what we write, but even how we perceive the very act of writing itself. Every AI-assisted creation reflects a new form of collaboration—an interplay of human creativity, machine-powered refinement, and insights drawn from thousands of people you’ve never even met.

These tools blur the lines of authorship, turning what used to be a largely personal endeavour into a shared process. Yet when left to their own devices, they tend to churn out content that makes “Lorem Ipsum” look like poetry. This is why human intervention is essential; while humans can produce solid writing independently, AI simply can’t (again, at least not yet).

Let me show you what I mean. Picture a blog post beginning with these immortal words: "In an ever-evolving business landscape..." If your curiosity was piqued after reading that, congratulations! Either you just landed here from a less evolved planet or you’re officially the most forgiving person alive.

For the rest of us? That opening is the content equivalent of white noise. Even worse, it says absolutely nothing while using up six precious words. The writer either has no perspective on the business landscape or doesn’t want to waste time sharing it. Not a good look for someone writing about business...

Here are some other gems that just ooze autopilot energy. Note AI’s go-to sentence patterns and the vague, jargon-heavy content. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the AI gears grinding:

• Not only does AI enhance productivity, but it also streamlines processes
• It’s more than just hype—it’s a game-changer
• Are you ready to discover the exciting future of [insert vague field here]?
• By leveraging AI, business analysis professionals can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and manage risks
• In the dynamic business world, adaptability is essential for success

No one would deny that these assertions are accurate and/or grammatically sound, passable even, yet each feels as captivating as the muzak wafting through a dentist's office. That might be fine for certain use cases (think corporate landing page or apologetic rejection letter), but it falls well short of the mark for a blog, article, or think piece.

Business analysis professionals solve unique challenges every single day, and your experiences are anything but cookie-cutter. Use AI to express equally unique ideas, not watered-down insights buried in tired templates.

AI Is Your Copilot, Not Your Chauffeur  

Does that mean you should abandon AI tools altogether? Madness! When used wisely, generative AI can be a supremely powerful writing assistant, and that’s nothing to sniff at. But notice the word “assistant.” Technology should enhance your voice, not replace it. 

Kudos to Microsoft for absolutely nailing the name of their flagship AI—Copilot. I think they were onto something there…

Here’s where AI excels as your partner in crime:

• Grammar and spelling corrections: Nothing ruins your claim of professional expertise quite like a typo in “professional.” Fortunately, AI has an eagle eye.  
• Rephrasing for clarity: When you know what you want to say but can’t articulate it, AI can help tidy things up. Just make sure that your prompt encourages a light touch and not a sledgehammer.
• Generating ideas or outlines: Stuck on where to start? AI can give you a springboard, though it's up to you to breathe some personality and critical thinking into it. Never settle for the first draft it hands you.
• Lists and highlights: Bringing much-needed order to the chaos of the human mind, one bullet point at a time.

But here’s where it tends to commit a crime:

• Voice and tone: AI doesn’t know your audience well, your unique style, or even the fact that us humans can become incredibly bored, incredibly fast. It defaults to “friendly but robotic corporate platitude,” a major no-no for engaging with readers.  
• Unoriginal insights: AI can’t draw on personal experience or industry-specific expertise—it can only repeat what’s already out there. And even if your prompt includes these experiences, AI often smooths them out. You might not even notice being erased from your own story as you’re dazzled by properly formatted paragraphs and quirky headers.
• Repetitive structures: AI usually recycles a handful of rhetorical frameworks, creating a sense of déjà vu that only amplifies the lack of originality housed within them.
  
  

Common AI Clunkers (and How to Cut Them Out)

How can you tell when someone has leaned too hard on AI? Here are some dead giveaways:

• Clichéd openings: If your draft opens with “As technology continues to evolve rapidly,” scrap it immediately. Better yet, write the introduction yourself and be specific, then use AI to optimize if necessary.
• List overload: Avoid repetitive, vague lists containing insights like, “Benefits include improving efficiency, enhancing collaboration, and delivering value.” Lists are not a substitute for prose—they’re a supplement.
• Keyword cannibalism: AI loves to shoehorn keywords into every other sentence, making the writing feel forced and unnatural. Instead, write like nobody’s watching.  

Take back the pen! Here’s how to ditch the robotic chains and make your content unmistakably yours:

• Be specific. Replace vague generalizations with concrete examples or anecdotes from your personal or professional life. Stories help us relate to one another, and they’re great vehicles for conveying information.
• Maintain your voice. A distinct voice, even with a few rough edges, builds a real connection with readers. AI won’t laugh at your bad jokes—but your audience might. And if they groan? At least they’re awake.
• Edit, refine, and add (then edit some more). Use AI for your first draft but refine it to make your presence known. I’m doing this as I write these words, so you unconsciously register that there’s a person behind them.

Think of generative AI as your copilot, not your chauffeur. Use it to write content that resonates, sidesteps clichés, and allows your unique voice as a business analysis professional (and human!) to shine through.

Your reader will secretly thank you—and your work will stand out in a sea of sameness.

Unique Voices Matter More Than Ever 

Paradoxically, as AI-generated content grows in ubiquity, so does the value of human-authored text. Truly engaging writing informs the reader and connects with them. The best way to do that is to show you’re human, and it doesn’t have to be over the top either. In fact, there’s a ton of ways to “human signal”—a term I just coined, by the way. You heard it here first.

Especially in a profession like business analysis, where interpreting unique problems and delivering customized solutions is at the heart of what you do, readers crave authentic perspectives. They’re not coming to you for plastic-wrapped platitudes—they want the raw, messy insights that come from raw, messy experiences. 

Even small deviations from "perfect" writing norms can make your work feel more relatable and memorable. So don’t shy away from the odd colloquial expression, a well-placed pun, or (heaven forbid) a less-than-grammatical sentence. Just don’t stray too far in the other direction, unless you’re aiming for an incoherent diary entry with too many ellipses… Random Capitalization… and emotional overshares about your childhood goldfish...  

I’m not suggesting that writing authentically with AI is easy, nor is this a bitter manifesto from a tech Luddite. Striking the right AI-human balance is a very 2025 challenge, one I’m constantly negotiating. Learning when and how to use AI for content is an art, not a science (cliché my own), and there’s no ideal ratio or benchmark to strive toward.

As long as you remember to bring your whole self to the table, you’re doing it right.    

Keeping It Real

If you’re itching to share your insights—yes, the real ones you’ve gleaned from countless workshops, boardrooms, and data visualization sessions—IIBA wants to hear from you!

From our Analyst Catalyst blog to more technical and long-form Member Articles, your unique perspective as a seasoned professional can reach a global audience and inspire thousands. Take the time to craft it thoughtfully, because we value the depth of your expertise and your one-of-a-kind voice.

To prove that I stand behind these words (both literally and figuratively), I wrote this article with the help of generative AI, infused with attempts at humour and the usual over-caffeinated ramblings that only a deeply flawed human being can offer.

If nothing else, it’s authentically me.

Share your voice and insights with the global business analysis community. Submit a draft to the Analyst Catalyst blog or Member Articles page.

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