How to Write with AI Without Losing Your Soul

Writing can be hard. Some days it clicks, while other days it feels like trying to explain what you do all day to your grandmother. (“So you just sit on the computer?” Yes, Granny. And no.)

When the words don’t come easily, I’ve found myself turning to AI for help. Having dabbled with it over the last few years, I've had my misgivings. But the more I use it, the more I've learned to appreciate it. I can see what it’s good at, and where it needs a human touch. Working at Herd has pushed me to explore it more seriously, too.

For instance, Herd uses AI to spin up draft trainings from scratch and follow up with teams who are behind. In my case, I’ve started using it to reformat emails, spark ideas for social posts, and spin up blog outlines.

We all agree that AI can’t replace people, but it certainly helps to reduce mental load. So now I’m converted…with some caveats.

AI is a Great Place to Start

If you have a subject you want to dive into, but you're looking for more ideas or resources, AI can help. Or if you get stuck on structure, AI can help. And I know I can't be the only one to ask, “How do I explain myself without sounding defensive?” And AI has definitely helped.

AI gives me a better way to work on what I was trying to say without spiraling into madness. Sometimes it sparks inspiration.

That's one of the things I love most about how we use AI at Herd: it helps people skip the blank page, while still making sense for security and GRC work. Our automated workflows, assignments, and notifications can save teams hours of time. (Don't believe me? Sign up for a demo to see for yourself.)

The Best Sentences are Still Yours

AI can help you get there, but it shouldn’t take the wheel.

To avoid metaphorically falling off a cliff, take note of where you can let AI shine, and where you should take over.

What AI can do really well:

• Break out of a repetitive tone

• Restructure long or clunky sentences

• Provide intros/outros when you’re stuck

• Turn your angry first pass into a firm-but-polite “did you read my email?” message

What it can’t do:

• Nail your unique voice

• Know what your audience actually cares about

• Add real emotion or lived experience

That last one? That’s the good stuff. That’s you.

AI is Changing the Way We Communicate

I used to lean hard on long-winded sentences and parenthetical asides. (Clearly I still do that occasionally.) But now I find myself cutting back, as I hack through ChatGPT’s strange analogies and over-used phrases like “dropping truth bombs.” (Ew.)

I’ve also tragically started trading em-dashes for en-dashes or semi-colons. And I know I'm not the only one.

But there's good change, too. The drop in comma splices, for one. And I am thrilled that AI is bringing back the Oxford comma. That’s a win for us all. (Hot take, I know.)

Another hot take: You might have noticed the surge of “it’s not X, it’s Y.” It’s become an AI signature move, but I actually think it’s punchy. It has a rhythm to it. Feels like something you’d drop in the middle of a keynote and get a nod from the crowd.

As long as its sincere or accurate.

Don’t Outsource Judgment

AI can be convincingly confident, even when (especially when) it's totally wrong. Just because something flows doesn’t mean it makes sense. So we need to be vigilant when using it.

This is especially important in security and GRC, where clarity and accuracy matter more than sounding clever. So always make sure to read critically, ask “what does this actually mean?” and edit out any nicely-worded nonsense.

That’s why at Herd we encourage using AI, but we stress using it thoughtfully.

Our AI can generate draft training content based on risky behavior, but it’s up to the org to review, edit, and make it their own. We also use AI to help prioritize who gets notified and when, so teams aren’t bombarded with noise. Even follow-ups can be generated automatically, but we give teams control over tone, frequency, and escalation.

As for me, I’ll always read through everything AI helps me write. I’ll tweak the jokes. I’ll cut the filler. And I’ll make sure the final product actually reflects what I know and believe.

So…Should You Use AI?

Yes. A thousand times yes. Just make sure you're using it responsibly.

Whatever you’re writing, be it a social post, a blog, or a newsletter (just maybe avoid it for college essays!), AI will get you there faster. But you’ll get there better with your hands on the wheel and your voice coming through.

If you're in security, GRC, or tech comms, and you're spending half your day writing or rewriting trainings or workflows, we built Herd with you in mind. Check out our demo video to learn more.

Happy automating!