From Robotic to Real: How to Edit AI Content for a More Authentic Voice

As AI continues to make waves in content creation, marketers face an important question: How do you edit your content so it doesn’t sound like it came from a robot? Because, let’s face it, while AI tools are incredibly powerful, they still tend to produce writing that feels stiff, overly formal, or just a little off.

At Wheels Up Collective, we specialize in helping companies create content that is engaging and authentic. We know how to make sure your content sounds human, not robotic—even if you’re using AI to help write it. 

We asked our Managing Editor to share the red flags she looks for when editing AI-generated content, and more importantly, how to fix them. 

Here’s what she had to say.

1. Tone Down the Formality

One thing that’s pretty common in AI writing is an overly formal tone. AI loves to default to neutral, polished language that can sound a little stiff and distant. While this might work in some contexts, it’s not ideal when you want to connect with your audience.

Here’s the fix: If you’re using AI, prompt it to write in a more casual, conversational tone. If you’re working with a draft, go back and manually swap out formal phrases like “in the event that” or “due to the fact that” with simpler, more natural language. Remember, the goal here is for the content to sound like it’s coming from a person, not a computer.

2. Use an Active Voice

AI tends to generate content in a passive voice, making sentences feel weak and less direct. Passive writing is also dull to read. And it leads to sentences with long, awkward clauses that can slow the reader down.

The fix: Change passive sentences to active ones. Instead of “The proposal was reviewed by the team,” try “The team reviewed the proposal.” Active voice keeps things clear and makes your writing more engaging.

3. Cut Out Repetition

AI can be pretty repetitive. You’ll often find sentences or even whole paragraphs that just repeat the same point—or worse, the point that was made and resolved already two paragraphs ago. The content feels like it’s dragging on without adding anything new.

The fix: Read through your AI-generated content and make sure each sentence is adding something unique. If a point has already been made, don’t make it again. Organize the content so it builds naturally. Delete any sentences or phrases that don’t move the conversation forward.

4. Watch Out for Clichés and Overused Phrases

AI has a tendency to rely on buzzwords and overused phrases. Words like “innovative,” “cutting-edge,” and phrases like “in today’s fast-paced environment” are often used as filler, and they don’t add much value.

The fix: Keep an eye out for these overused phrases and swap them out for something more specific. Instead of saying “innovative,” describe exactly what makes your solution stand out. Replace tired phrases with fresh, original language that adds real value.

5. Vary Your Sentence Structure

AI loves certain sentence structures, like “(noun) not only (verb)s, but also (verb)s.” While this can work sometimes, overusing it can make your writing feel predictable and robotic.

The fix: Mix up your sentence lengths and structures. Break up long sentences into shorter ones to create a more natural flow. A variety of sentence types keeps the reader engaged and makes your writing feel more dynamic.

6. Create Smooth Transitions

AI can struggle when transitioning from one idea to another. It often creates abrupt or awkward shifts that confuse the reader. It makes the content feel disconnected and harder to follow.

The fix: When editing, focus on making transitions feel natural. Think about how you’d explain the topic to a friend. Use transitions like “That said,” “On the flip side,” or “Moving on to” to guide the reader from one point to the next.

7. End with Impact, Not a Repetitive Wrap-Up

AI-generated content tends to close with predictable, formulaic conclusions. Restating everything that’s already been said, the endings feel more like a "wrap-up" than a meaningful conclusion. Unaddressed, these endings leave your readers with no real takeaway.

The fix: Instead of ending with a simple summary, wrap things up by adding real value. Offer a call to action, give readers something to think about, make your stance on a subject matter known, or point them to more resources. Give them a reason to keep reading or take the next step.

Think of your AI as your first draft partner. Use it to get the ideas flowing, then step in to add your personal touch. The real magic happens when you blend the efficiency of AI with your unique voice and expertise.

Need help making sure your content always hits the mark? Our team is here to assist with everything from strategy to editing.