Artificial Intelligence In Authentic Human Communications

By Deepa Nagraj

Since the earliest days of human civilization, communication has been the defining force behind cultural development and societal progress. From the rhythmic beats of ancient drums to the invention of the printing press followed by the rise of digital media, each era has redefined how we share and preserve information. In the 21st century, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into communication has further expanded this landscape.

Yet, even as communication evolves, a principle that stands resolutely at its core is authenticity. Authenticity is the cornerstone of credibility and trust for communication professionals, whether in media houses, corporate settings or agencies. But as AI tools gain prominence, a fundamental question arises: Can they uphold the principles of authenticity, or do they risk diluting the essence of genuine communication? The answers lie in understanding the delicate balance between leveraging AI as a tool and preserving the integrity that defines authentic communication.

Aristotle’s Rhetoric For Authentic Communications

Greek philosopher Aristotle, known for his phenomenal intellectual range, continues to be a relevant and powerful source of knowledge for me. His rhetoric theory, focused on the art of persuasion for effective communication, remains profoundly relevant to date, shaping modern communication strategies across disciplines.

The philosopher’s rhetoric is structured into a triangle consisting of ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos emphasizes credibility and trust, pathos appeals to emotions, and logos relies on logic and reasoning. This triad can be viewed as a “communications pyramid” that can ensure messages resonate deeply while maintaining integrity. In fact, Aristotle’s idea of rhetoric can offer a solid framework to communicators for building trust in an AI-dominated world. In its light, effective communication would need to involve considering these elements, or their optimal combination to ensure messages are perceived as authentic. Communicators can for example aim to adapt and blend their approach, balancing emotional resonance with logical precision and credibility.

Whether associated with media houses, corporate teams or agencies, communicators can harness this timeless model to craft authentic narratives. By building trust through ethos, connecting emotionally via pathos or persuading with logical arguments, Aristotle’s principles remain useful and applicable even today for impactful, authentic communication in an era rife with misinformation and piracy.

AI As A Collaborator, Not A Creator

The rise of AI tools is leading to concern among today’s marketing and communications professionals, particularly around the challenges they face regarding originality and plagiarism. And I think some of their concerns are warranted. As we wade deeper into the AI era, the challenge before us is to optimize our capabilities without compromising the authenticity of communications with a human touch.

Merritt Roe Smith’s theory of Technological Determinism offers a valuable perspective here. He argues that technological advancements have historically driven societal transformation, from the printing press paving the way for the Reformation to gunpowder influencing global colonization. However, technology’s role is not autonomous, it is shaped by human will, its values and needs. AI tools exemplify this dynamic. AI is not a creator but a catalyst, enabling humans to ideate more freely while leaving the essential creative process in human hands.

Technological determinism suggests that although technology influences society’s evolution, it does not dictate it. AI tools such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek exemplify this principle as they are facilitators, not decision makers. As “creative humans,” we create memories, experience emotion and thus shape meaningful communications. AI, no matter how advanced it gets, cannot have what it takes to be human, the special, marvelous quality that makes each of us unique and distinct.

This is why it is important to look at technology and the internet as a “human-created” network. Advanced tools built on AI can crawl the web, stitch content together and send it back to us. While multiple sources of information may be authentic, genuine content is still expected to be novel, new and original. By treating AI as a creative partner rather than a competitor, communicators can use it to stimulate imaginative thinking without compromising output authenticity or veracity. The key lies in using it intelligently to complement, not compromise, the human essence in our communications.

Employing Human Intelligence Over Artificial Intelligence

The rise of AI-generated content has reignited age-old debates on originality and ownership, akin to Shakespeare’s authorship controversies. Although questioned for originality, his work is widely celebrated for linguistic excellence and emotional depth, reflecting human intelligence and experience.

When viewed through the context of AI, this conspiracy raises critical questions: Does leveraging ChatGPT as communicators ensure authentic output, or does it blur the lines of plagiarism? Is today’s AI assistant an example of well-disguised plagiarism? Are we stealing content by putting a personal spin on it and making it our own? AI often obscures the line between inspiration and duplication, leading to significant ethical concerns.

In the coming years, authenticity might become the result of a collaborative effort where humans and AI create something extraordinary together. AI, as a human construct, introduces new moral questions, disrupts traditional notions of responsibility and redefines the boundaries of originality. However, it also offers opportunities to enhance human capabilities and create a better society.

Rather than drawing rigid lines between humans and machines, we should consider the possibilities of human-led collaboration. Authenticity might become a shared endeavor, where humans and AI together craft experiences that enrich both the creator and the audience. The real challenge may lie in accepting these changes to redefine authenticity for a new era of self-discovery and innovation.

As we move forward, the question isn’t whether AI can be authentic but how we can use it to foster and deepen our authenticity. Instead, it is, can the fusion of human intelligence and artificial ingenuity create something extraordinary that transcends the sum of its parts? Only time and mindful practice will tell.