Authenticity and Algorithms: Finding Your Voice In A World That Runs On Algorithms.

Hello, lovely blog readers,

I hope you're doing well, and maybe, like me, taking a moment to breathe in the beauty of the day. What's the weather like on your end? I'm looking out the window as I type this, and its an endless field of green. 

I’ve been doing some thinking lately about pressure, writing, and this whole wild world of content. I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself for not sticking to the posting schedule I created for this blog. I gave myself such a hard time for not showing up like I said I would, even though I had legit reasons. Some of them include being swamped with the short story I’ve been working on, and others... well, just life happening.

There’s so much going on now that I honestly don’t even know where to start telling you the gist from. But I promise, the full story is one I will share here, because I know someone will benefit from it.

Now, back to the gist—this should be interesting!

The other day, after chiding myself for not posting when I was “supposed to”, I opened an article I had subscribed to. As I read, I thought, OMG, how does this person find time to write every day, and how is the content this good! Then, I got pulled back into my to-do list and forgot about it.

Fast forward to this morning: I had two minutes to spare and a LinkedIn notification popped up. I opened it, saw a catchy title, and started reading. But as I did, a voice in my head started yelling, “Your mates are writing, and you’re here reading!” (Please read that in full Nigerianese, haha 😂)

Three paragraphs in, I noticed the telltale signs of AI. LOL. I knew because I use AI often myself. And then it hit me: I’ve been comparing myself to people who supposedly have “two heads.” (Again, read that in Nigerianese.)

I told myself to calm down. Ema, farabale! 😂 (Again, you need a Nigerian interpreter, LOL). I was immediately reminded of the scripture that tells us it is not wise to compare yourself with another. I should have known, it only ends in heartache. I'm glad I have refocused. 

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. - 2 Corinthians 10:12, NIV.

How on earth am I supposed to compete with AI? How can I expect to churn out posts daily, weekly, monthly, whatever, when AI can generate a whole year’s worth of content in minutes? I had to laugh. out loud. Because at that moment, I delivered myself from myself.

Later, I shared a thought on my WhatsApp status about this whole epiphany. You won’t believe the number of people who reached out, saying they had started taking it easy too—because trying to compete with AI just isn’t worth it.

We keep telling ourselves: “Show up. Don’t give up. Push through, and all the aspire-to-perspire talk. And yes, many of us are trying. We do put in the work. But sometimes, it feels like our best just isn’t good enough. The world tells us that if we’re not churning out content 24/7, putting our best foot forward at all times, or tooting our own horns, then we’re somehow behind. That's so not true! 

But let’s be honest: How on earth can you compete with AI?

 You are enough.

 You are doing okay.

 You have all it takes.

 You are doing your best.

BUT, I’m still going to say this: You need to level up!!!

Wait, did I just pull the rug from under your feet? 😅 Are we still on the same wavelength?

One minute I’m saying “don’t mind AI,” and the next, I’m telling you to level up?

Let me explain.

I know you’re putting in your best. I see that, and I salute you. Truly. But this world? It’s a shark tank. If you stop swimming, you risk being eaten. And I don’t want you to get eaten.

So what do you do? You level up!!! Simple. 

Put the tools available to you to good use. AI is one of those tools, use it wisely.

If you struggle with writing, use AI. If you need help with work, use AI. If you’re stuck creatively, start with a prompt and build from there. But whatever you do, let your own voice shine through. Don’t lose it. Don’t rely so heavily on AI that your authentic self disappears.

I use AI often- for work, for writing, even for story planning. I once gave ChatGPT a plot and asked it to develop a storyline. The result? Loved it. This very post you’re reading has passed through AI, for spellcheck, syntax review, the usual polish. But it’s still my voice.

Please, don’t lose the authenticity only you have.

Level up, but make sure the hard work is still yours.

AI should be the icing on your cake, not the cake itself. If you don’t build your depth and rely too heavily on AI, you’re shortchanging yourself. But if you’ve put in the work and you use AI to elevate your voice and your output? Then I raise my glass 🥂  to you, Well done!

So, about that guilt I felt for not posting consistently…

Sure, I could use AI to generate posts and hit every mark. But I don’t want to. I love writing. I love sharing my thoughts here. I value your time, your presence, and your attention.

So I’ll keep showing up—with real stories, written by me, for you.