AI is teaching us to speak like bots and its a problem

Key Takeaways:

• BotTalk Emergence: Growing reliance on AI is influencing how we speak to each other.
• Research-Driven Shift: Studies show vocabulary and structure are changing significantly.
• Dehumanization Risk: Overexposure to AI can lead to perceiving real humans as less human.
• Cultural Impact: Flattened speech and abrupt commands can undermine trust and candor.
• Staying Human: Simple steps like genuine listening and mindful pauses can help preserve real conversation.

The Rise of BotTalk

A keynote speaker, coached for a large conference, revealed that most of her script was written by AI. The result was a speech peppered with phrases like “Here’s the thing,” “The truth is,” and “Unlock!”—rhetorical cues that sounded more robotic than human. This phenomenon, dubbed “BotTalk,” describes when people, often unintentionally, adopt a machine-like style of communication. The speaker’s delivery signaled a growing trend: the more time we spend prompting and commanding AI, the more these habits seep into our personal interactions.

When Technology Changes Language

Technology’s influence on speech isn’t new. The shift in texting, for instance, introduced acronyms and terms like “lol” into everyday language. But AI is driving a more sweeping change. Because it responds instantly, formalizes thoughts, and never requires social niceties, people increasingly drop pleasantries, gentler phrasing, and empathy in human-to-human conversation.

What the Research Reveals

In a large-scale analysis by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 360,000 YouTube videos and 771,000 podcast episodes were studied before and after ChatGPT’s release. They found that in the 18 months after that AI tool launched, speakers used words such as “meticulous,” “delve,” “realm,” and “adept” up to 51 percent more frequently compared to the previous three years. A second team at Florida State University uncovered a similar “seep-in effect” by examining 22 million words from unscripted podcasts. Over time, short-term changes in how people interact with AI can lead to long-term shifts in vocabulary, structure, and even warmth.

Emotional Consequences and Assimilation

Language isn’t just about words; it shapes how we see and treat each other. A study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology warns of “assimilation-induced dehumanization,” where increased interaction with emotionally capable AI can lead people to view real humans as less human. This shift, though subtle, can degrade workplace relationships, stifle creativity, and erode trust—especially for leaders who need candid feedback from their teams.

Protecting Human Connection

Experts recommend slowing down and listening fully rather than waiting to respond, reminding us that AI doesn’t need acknowledgment or empathy, but people do. Reintroducing invitation and context—rather than issuing abrupt commands—reaffirms the human element in conversation. Pausing for a moment, breathing, or allowing a slight hesitation can also counteract the immediate, transactional tendencies encouraged by AI-driven interactions.

Leadership and Culture at Risk

For executives and managers, the risk is more than sounding cold. When communication becomes merely transactional, teams may shy away from bringing up problems or delivering honest feedback. Losing “candor,” the article suggests, can be dangerous, as leaders need fresh, sometimes uncomfortable, truths to adapt and innovate.

Staying Human in the Age of AI

It’s possible to enjoy all the benefits of AI while retaining genuine human interaction. Simple steps—like asking open-ended questions, offering context, or even greeting someone before diving into directives—can keep conversation natural and personable. Before speaking to a group or having a crucial one-on-one meeting, centering the body with a breath or a mindful pause can re-ground communication. As AI continues to learn our language, we should remind ourselves that fellow humans aren’t chatbots—and that’s exactly why real conversation matters.