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AI Writing

How to humanize a text written by AI?

Arthur Bordier

With AI, content writing has accelerated. Publishing an article, a landing page or a product sheet now takes A few minutes.
Result : the web is full of correct, well-structured, flawless texts... but largely interchangeable. If these contents are mostly accurate, how can you avoid repetition and make them stand out?

The problem is not that these contents are written with an AI. There is no automatic “sanction” linked to the use of AI as such. Google confirmed this officially in an article published on Google Search Central in February 2023, entitled “Google Search and AI-generated content”.
In this article, Google explains that its systems do not penalize content because it is generated by AI, but evaluate above all the quality, usefulness, and intent of the content. In other words, what matters is not the tool used, but the ability of the content to really help the user.

This clarification is essential because it displaces the debate. The risk is not “to be identified as AI content”, but to produce texts that lack of added value. Google also states that content becomes problematic when it is created mainly to manipulate rankings, without providing original or useful information. This is precisely what happens when generic AI texts are published en masse, without rework or human expertise.

When a text looks like dozens of others, it Struggling to get attention. It inspires Less trust, because it does not provide a clear point of view No really specific information. The more average content you publish, the more you contribute to background noise where everything is the same. On the other hand, Producing less but better becomes a competitive advantage.

What does it really mean to “humanize” text written by an AI

The term is misleading. ”Humanize” An AI text is not about making it more pleasant on the surface. It's not adding smileys, familiar phrases, or artificial stories to create the illusion of a human tone. Such tricks are easy to spot and do not improve understanding or credibility.

Humanizing a text, in the useful sense of the word, means to write like someone who Master your subject. Someone who goes Straight to the point, avoid useless phrases and bring a concrete value to its reader. A truly successful text doesn't try to sound human: it's just clear, accurate, and relevant.

Concretely, the expected result is simple. The text should be pleasant to read, without heaviness or repetition. It should contain concrete elements, not just general ideas. He must also assume limits, conditions, and sometimes even hesitation. Finally, it should help the reader to understand, decide, or act, even on a small scale.

An effective rule: if, at the end of a paragraph, the reader says “OK... so what?” , the text failed. It may be well written, but it doesn't add anything.

example : a text can adopt a warm, fluid and “human” tone while remaining useless if it combines generalities. Conversely, a simple, almost dry text can be excellent if it is accurate, verifiable, and oriented towards clear action.

Recognize a text written by an AI (and understand why it is tiring)

Several signals come back almost systematically. The sentences all have the Same pace, with a similar length And a repetitive structure. The transitions are mechanical “in addition”, “in addition”, “in this article” and give the impression of an automatic sequence.

In an article published by The Numerics devoted to tools capable of detecting texts generated by AI, the editorial staff explains that these detectors are based in particular on criteria such as Too regular sentence structure, a Vocabulary not very varied, and a overall predictability of the text. It is precisely these characteristics that allow algorithms to distinguish artificial content from human text.

The article also highlights a key point: false positives are common when human texts are too simple, too smooth, or too uniform. In other words, content can be perceived as “AI” not because it is false, but because it lacks depth, variation, and strong editorial choices.

Example: “AI improves recruitment” says nothing. “It especially reduces the time spent reformulating candidate messages, but increases the risk of tone errors if no one reads it again” provides concrete, usable and nuanced information.

Make AI text more accurate (without rewriting everything)

The objective is not to start from scratch, but to transform a first draft generated by an AI into a truly publishable text, in 30 to 45 minutes. The key is not style, but precision.

Replace the generic with concrete

A text generated by an AI becomes credible as soon as it leaves the generalities behind.
It is not a question of applying a fixed method, but To anchor the subject in reality.

In practice, it is mainly three types of additions that make the difference:

  • Factual facts
    Numbers, orders of magnitude, simple comparisons, time saved or lost. It's often these details that turn a vague statement into credible information.
  • Specific examples
    A real situation, a concrete task, an identified use. Even a very simple one, an example makes the subject immediately more readable and more human.
  • Assumed choices
    Say when it works, when it works less, and under what conditions. Introducing explicit trade-offs brings more value than a consistently positive discourse.

These additions alone are not enough to make a good text, but they allow, in most cases, to transform a first draft AI into publishable content, without rewriting everything.

For example, write “AI improves productivity” remain abstract.
Specify “on repetitive tasks, automation makes it possible to reduce 20 to 30% treatment time” immediately changes the perception of the text.

Add choices and limits

What makes the difference between a generic text and an expert text is the limits it assumes. Introducing simple formulations such as “it works if...”, “it fails when...” or “to avoid if...” immediately gives depth to the subject.

A good text also highlights at least one real compromise: speed versus control.

Work on the rhythm and eliminate the superfluous

AI-generated texts are almost always too long. AI often uses multiple sentences where one would suffice. A good practice is to cut 10 to 15% of the text immediately.

This precision work does not only improve readability for the reader. It also conditions the way in which content is understood, evaluated and taken up by search engines and generative engines.

To go further on these SEO challenges in the age of AI, we detailed this subject in the article”What is GEO and why do we need to start it now.”

Why does a generic prompt give a generic response?

An AI writes exactly at the level of precision that is given to it. When the Prompt is vague, the response It is too. All it does is reformulate standard structures that have already been seen everywhere.

For example, ask “Rewrite this text in a more human way” almost always leads to same result: a few synonyms, a slightly warmer tone, but no new information. The text seems more fluid, without being more interesting or more believable.

On the other hand, a precise prompt forces the AI to go beyond generalities. By giving it a context, an audience and clear constraints, we obtain a more specific response, more rooted in reality, and therefore much less perceived as “AI”.

How to better brief the AI for a more natural result

Humanizing a text starts with a better brief. A good prompt does not seek to “make human”, it seeks to clarify what is expected.

Plus the prompt specifies to whom the text Addressed, what he should explain, which he does not have to Don't invent And what level of detail is expected, the more coherent the response becomes. The text becomes more readable, more credible and above all more useful for the reader.

It is this precision that allows AI to really adapt to demand, instead of producing a generic response that could be suitable for any article.

Tools can help, but don't replace the background

Reformulation or “humanization” tools can improve the fluidity of an already solid text. They help to vary sentences or correct a tone that is too rigid. On the other hand, they do not return never a more relevant text if there is a lack of information or context.

In other words, you don't make a text more human by just changing the form. We make it more human by giving it background, then by working on readability.

Example of a copy and paste prompt

To humanize a text while continuing to use AI, it is possible to use a prompt of this type. It will not automatically correct all the inconsistencies or formulations too artificial, but it allows to obtain a more effective result readable, plus credible and better aligned with professional use.

Rewrite the text below to make it fun to read, believable, and useful for [AUDIENCE].

Constraints:

- Do not add any unverifiable facts. If information is missing, suggest neutral wording or clearly state what should be specified.

- Removes filler phrases and mechanical transitions.

- Vary sentence length and pace.

- Keep a professional, simple and direct tone (“decision-maker in a hurry” level).

- Add 2 to 3 concrete examples in italics that illustrate the key points (business + action + expected result).

- Add at least one limit or condition of success (“it works if...”, “it fails when...”).

Conclusion

Humanizing a text written by an AI is not about making you forget the tool that was used. The objective is not to mask the AI, but to avoid the reader from the unpleasant sensation of reading a sequence of clean, well-formulated sentences, but without real content.

A good text is based on substance first. Concrete information, choices made, limits clearly set. Next comes the style: a rhythm legible, a writing clear, without fillers or unnecessary effects. Reformulation tools only come last. They can improve fitness, but they never make up for a lack of substance.

Before publishing, a quick check is often enough to make a difference: is the text specific or could it be applied to any situation? Is he provable or is it based only on generalities? Is he actionable, even in a simple way? And above all, can it be included in speed reading, without unnecessary effort?

If the answer is yes to these questions, then the text is doing its job. It doesn't matter if it was written with an AI or not.

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