“Did AI write this email?”
Lately, whenever I send a communication that is logic-driven and clearly structured, I am met with this reaction. Especially on instant messaging platforms like Teams or Slack, taking the time to organize thoughts into bullet points (Bullet Points) is increasingly perceived by some as “cold,” “impersonal,” or automatically generated by an AI agent.
Throughout my career—from doctoral research through think tanks, to my current role in data science—I have consistently used structure and bullet points as the core of my communication. Long before AI went mainstream, I believed this to be the most authentic and effective way to convey complex information.
Yet, with the rise of AI, this exact “structure” is being labeled as “non-human.” I would like to challenge this misconception.
True “Human Touch” in Communication is Respect for Time
What does “human touch” mean in a professional setting?
Certainly, the fluid, conversational style of chatting with a friend has its own warmth. However, in a professional context, I believe that minimizing the cognitive load on the recipient is the ultimate form of empathy.
For example, when confirming a system specification change, rather than sending a long, narrative paragraph filled with emotional filler, it is far more effective to present it this way:
- (1) Scope of Change: Which modules are affected?
- (2) Timeline: When will this be reflected in the test environment?
- (3) Action Required: Do we need to prepare resources on our end?
By organizing information this way, the recipient can make an immediate judgment. It does not waste their time or force them to decipher the main point. Taking the initiative to pre-process information through “logical organization” is, in my view, the highest mark of professional respect.
The Decisive Difference Between AI-Generated and Human-Authored Lists
AI loves bullet points. However, from my perspective as a practitioner, there is a fundamental difference between an AI-generated list and a human-authored one.
AI lists often aim for “comprehensiveness.” They tend to list every conceivable factor, often resulting in long explanations for each individual point. In contrast, a list written with human intent represents “the surgical removal of the unnecessary.”
A human analyzes a vast sea of information to determine “What is necessary right now, for this specific recipient,” and narrows it down to the critical few. This human process of “Prioritizing”—deciding what matters most—is the true hallmark of thought and authenticity that AI cannot replicate.
Unchanging Style, Evolving Perception
I will continue to communicate this way. Just because AI has adopted a logical framework does not mean we as professionals should abandon it. On the contrary, in an age of AI-induced information overload, the value of words structured by human logic will only increase.
If you know someone who always speaks or writes by organizing their main points, please do not dismiss them as “AI-like.” That structure is the form of their “authenticity”—a deliberate effort to respect your time and make the complex understandable.