Mary BrennanAI copy is everywhere, and it’s getting harder to tell the difference between something written by a person and something spat out by a machine.
But here’s the thing: human-sounding AI isn’t human. It can only inauthentically mimic empathy.
In UX writing, that distinction matters. Because when the words on your screen lose their clarity or sincerity, users lose trust. I know I find myself questioning things I read. And that’s the thing; when I’m questioning it, I’m not engaging with it.
Let’s explore why User Experience writing still matters and why it’ll outlast human-sounding AI copy…
What UX Writing Actually Is
UX writing is the craft of guiding people through digital experiences with words that are clear, helpful, and aligned with your brand voice. It’s the button that says “Continue,” the error message that calms frustration, the onboarding text that makes a product feel intuitive.
There’s copy, which is the larger body text. And micro-copy, which are short, functional snippets, such as buttons and labels. Together, they shape how users move, think, and feel within a digital product.
Where UX Writing Came From
UX writing emerged as our reading habits changed. We moved from books and print to screens and scrolls. Instead of reading in long, linear chunks, we scan, skip, and tap.
UX writers understand that shift. They know how to make content scannable, digestible, and easy to act on. They don’t just write; they design with words.
Why We Still Need UX Writers
When a UX writer does their job well, the experience just works. They anticipate user questions, reduce friction, clarify next steps, and build trust through empathy.
That human touch pays off. Users feel supported, products feel easier, and businesses see the results in higher conversion, better retention, stronger brand perception, and fewer support calls.
What “Human-Sounding” AI Copy Really Is
Human-sounding AI copy is inauthentic copy that mimics human empathy. It can mimic tone, rhythm, even “personality”, but it doesn’t understand intent, emotion, or context.
It can’t connect microcopy with the wider user journey. It doesn’t know when a word should reassure, when it should prompt, or when it should simply get out of the way. The result? A surface-level “friendly” voice that feels off.
Creepy, right?
The Human Response: Welcome or Warning
How We Respond to Language
Humans are wired to react to words. From an evolutionary perspective, language kept us alive. It helped us warn each other about danger, and it helped us connect and belong in our tribe.
That innate wiring hasn’t changed. Certain words trigger trust, fear, curiosity, or comfort almost instantly. Clear, empathetic language feels safe. Unclear or inconsistent language doesn’t.
How We React to Familiar vs. Unfamiliar Language
Our brains like efficiency. Familiar words are processed faster and feel more trustworthy. Unfamiliar words take more effort to understand, and that extra effort can create doubt.
Familiar = comfortable.
Unfamiliar = uncomfortable.
That discomfort, even when subtle, can make a digital experience feel untrustworthy. It happens on such a subliminal level that your users may not be aware of exactly why they are no longer willing to engage, as they drift away.
Why It Feels Like a Threat
Language once signalled safety or danger. When something doesn’t sound right, our brains light up with tiny alarm bells. Psychologists call this the fluency-affect link: when processing feels smooth, we feel safe; when it’s bumpy, we feel cautious.
So when your digital experience uses copy that feels slightly “off,” users may not consciously be aware they are doing it, but they’ll hesitate. And hesitation kills engagement.
The Takeaway
UX writers aren’t just wordsmiths. They’re translators between logic and emotion. Between what a business wants to say and what a human needs to feel. AI can generate text that sounds “human,” but it can’t replicate empathy or trust.
If your words are driven by logic, your users will understand them.
If your words are driven by emotion, your users will feel them.
If your goal is connection, work with a UX writer.
At Friday, we design experiences that build real empathy with users. Let’s talk about designing digital experiences that use emotional UX techniques to speak to your audience.
Gavin Duff