Shall we play a game?

Don’t deny it – you didn’t just read this subject line. You heard it. That eerie, monotone voice of WORP from WarGames, cold and mechanical.

And to think, people once feared that was the kind of AI that would take over the world.

It wasn’t human, not even close. But it got the job done.

WORP is back – but this time, it’s lurking in AI-generated content. Instead of Global Thermonuclear War, it now has its sights set on taking over our writing.

Ironically, that creepy voice now feels more human than some of what AI spits out today.

A strange game

AI-generated messages are everywhere – from customer service chats to marketing emails, and the most common offenders – LinkedIn posts.

While these tools are undeniably efficient and often helpful, they come with a downside: the risk of sounding robotic, generic, or disconnected. What once felt innovative now feels like WORP - automated, predictable, and devoid of genuine personality.

Whether it’s an overly formal sentence or an overused buzzword, AI can quickly turn your message into something as lifeless as a machine reading a script.

Here are my Hall of Fame examples:

These phrases miss the mark because they lack the very elements that make communication effective.

They:

• Fail to showcase your unique voice, perspective, or personality and scream, “I copied and pasted this from ChatGPT to make me sound smart.”

• Lean too heavily on corporate jargon, creating a barrier between you and your audience rather than building a connection.

• Don’t provide real value. Their generic nature makes them uninspiring and irrelevant, leaving readers disengaged.

The only winning move is not to play

Don’t believe me?

Scrolling through LinkedIn, it doesn’t take long to spot these buzzword-packed, AI-sounding posts. And when every post starts to blend together with the same generic tone, one thing becomes clear - the only winning move is not to play. At least, not like this.

Whether it’s a business boasting about “empowering stakeholders with actionable insights” or an account executive claiming to “leverage cutting-edge solutions,” these messages aren’t doing anyone any favors.

Instead of building credibility, they undermine it, making the creator or brand come across as insincere or out of touch. Worse, these posts blend into the noise, making it impossible for readers to differentiate one from another.

When a message lacks authenticity, it not only misses the mark but also risks damaging the reputation of the person or business behind it.

Wouldn’t you prefer a good game of chess?

So, you’ve seen the cringe-worthy posts – packed with jargon and buzzwords that leave you wondering if a robot hit “send.”

Now, let’s turn it around!

Instead of leaning into the same tired phrases, let’s play chess and take a different approach. In other words, be more human in how you communicate.

Here’s how you can ditch the clichés and create content that actually resonates with your audience.

• Show personality: share authentic stories or personal insights

  Example: “I learned a big lesson about leadership when I failed at…”

• Add value: provide actionable tips or insights

  Example: “Here’s a strategy I used to help clients achieve…”

• Celebrate with specifics: celebrate wins, but make it about the impact

  Example: “Thrilled to announce we achieved [specific milestone] and how it’s helping us [specific outcome].”

The Truth

I used AI to help with my newsletter content – mainly to give me ideas and clean up the grammar. But here’s the kicker: at the heart of this piece? That’s all me.

I took those initial suggestions and turned them into something authentically original, with my own voice, perspective, and a bit of (attempted) humor.

Unless AI can tap into our brain, it’s never going to capture the full range of human creativity – just ask WOPR from WarGames, who thought ‘Global Thermonuclear War’ was just a game.

AI can be a useful tool, but there’s no substitute for the creativity and connection that only a real person can bring to the table.

~Joseph
Thanks for reading! Got thoughts, feedback or just want to tell me how awesome (or terrible) I am? Hit reply - it will go straight to my inbox.

➕ Harvard researchers: The people who are happiest with their careers share this mindset… but if your baseline is so low, you might want to reconsider what ‘progress’ really looks like.

➕ To influence people, make 3 simple changes to how you talk, says executive coach: Success ‘depends on your ability to persuade’… or just throw in a bunch of corporate buzzwords like ‘synergy’, ‘pivot’, and ‘innovative paradigm’ – that way, no one will dare challenge you.

✅ The Evolution of Content Marketing: How It’s Changed and Where It’s going in the Next Decade… Consumers care more about the who and why of your brand than just what you do - so if your ‘why’ is just ‘we needed to make money,’ maybe workshop that before distribution.

✅ 5 marketing resolutions for a successful 2025… Key takeaway? Stay human. Because while tech might help you automate, it’s your ability to avoid sounding like a robot that will actually make people want to engage.

✅ 4 Marketing Trends & Strategies That Might Not Survive in 2025… Surprised they didn’t list the 10-paragraph LinkedIn posts that start with “I wasn’t going to share this but…” and ends with a sales pitch disguised as an emotional breakthrough.