January 16, 2026
Blog
Connect with Authenticity in the Age of AI
AI can generate a lot: words, images, ideas. But it can’t generate trust. That’s still a human skill.
As tools become faster and more polished, the pressure to “keep up” can push us toward quick wins that sound right but miss the mark. Lately, social posts are starting to blur together with emoji bullet points, too many punctuation marks, and filler words that don’t actually say much. Everything starts to sound the same.
The same thing’s happening in inboxes. I recently got a long, professional-looking email from a chamber exec in another state. It was clearly AI-generated. The tone was polished, but it didn’t answer my question. It felt like no one actually read what I wrote.
That’s the risk: clarity without connection. Structure without soul.
AI works best as a tool, not a replacement. It’s great for brainstorming, drafting, and helping you get started. Let it flesh out an idea or organize your thoughts. But the final version? That should be yours.
So before you hit send or post, pause and ask:
- Would I say this out loud?
- Does this sound like me?
- Does this help someone or just fill space?
Trust is built in small moments. Local businesses know this better than most. People remember when something feels personal. They notice when something doesn’t.
Let AI support your ideas, but let your voice lead. And always mean the message.