It’s Obvious AI Wrote Your Email
Science & Technology
Introduction
In recent times, the trend of using generative AI to automate the mass sending of cold emails has gained traction. However, there’s a significant problem: it’s becoming increasingly obvious when an email has been written by AI, both to humans and to automated systems.
To illustrate this issue, I utilized a free AI copy detection tool to analyze two different cold emails. The first email, which I crafted manually to sell newspaper advertising services to a local restaurant, was identified with a 199.9% likelihood of being human-written. Conversely, an email generated by ChatGPT had a 75% chance of being recognized as AI-written.
Even after asking ChatGPT to rewrite my original email with specific guidance—like adhering to best practices from effective sales methodologies, minimizing cliches, and keeping it under 75 words—the detection tool still flagged the email with a 70% probability of being AI-generated. This makes it clear that despite having sophisticated capabilities, AI still struggles to produce text that readers and machines alike can easily mistake for human writing.
You might wonder why this distinction matters. Major companies in the generative AI space, such as Google with its Bard, and Microsoft with ChatGPT and Bing Chat, are also the creators of platforms like Gmail and Outlook. To ensure a good user experience, these companies continuously update their spam detection systems to filter out emails that are promotional or spam-like. AI-generated content is often seen as unimportant or promotional, making it highly likely to be flagged as spam.
This isn’t just a concern for standard email clients; large enterprises often have enhanced protection measures in place to guard against various forms of cyber threats, including phishing attempts. As AI becomes more prevalent, these companies will adapt, potentially screening emails for AI-generated content and pushing them into spam folders or lower inbox levels to protect user experience.
Let’s not forget about the human aspect. The human brain is remarkably adept at detecting patterns. Once people become accustomed to seeing AI-generated emails, they can recognize the signs of automated writing which often includes characteristics such as overly formal tones, awkwardly structured sentences, irrelevant personalization, and even factual inaccuracies.
Consequently, if recipients can identify an AI-generated message, they are likely to respond negatively. They may ignore the email altogether or feel frustrated because they perceive that the sender made no genuine effort to communicate. In sales, if a prospect realizes they’re receiving AI-generated content, they are less likely to invest their time in the correspondence.
It's worth noting that while the temptation to use AI for scaling outreach is considerable, doing so at the expense of quality can damage relationships and tarnish a brand’s reputation. Here at Lavender, we embrace AI but not as a replacement for human input. We believe that the essence of sales relies on human connection. As robotic as AI may seem, it must never substitute the art of thoughtful communication.
Effective cold emails reflect serious engagement and understanding, qualities that are lost when relying entirely on AI.
Instead, we see AI as a supportive tool that can streamline certain tasks: generating ideas, summarizing information, or providing inspiration. By maintaining human touch in email outreach and other sales tactics, the value of the work improves, job security increases, and professionals cultivate their skills over time.
In conclusion, staying human-centered in sales can help prevent being overshadowed by AI’s growing capabilities.
Keyword
- Generative AI
- Cold emails
- AI detection
- Spam filters
- Human connection
- Email quality
- Automation
FAQ
Q1: Why is it important to distinguish between AI-generated and human-written emails?
A1: It's crucial because AI-generated emails are often flagged as spam by email filtering systems, and recipients can easily spot them, which can harm relationships and brand reputation.
Q2: What are the consequences of using AI to write cold emails?
A2: The primary consequences include poor engagement from prospects, potential damage to brand trust, and the risk of being filtered into spam folders.
Q3: How can I effectively use AI in my email outreach?
A3: Use AI tools for inspiration, summarization, or draft assistance, but ensure that a human reviews and personalizes the final email to maintain quality.
Q4: Can prospects easily identify AI-generated emails?
A4: Yes, many prospects have developed an ability to recognize patterns in AI-generated content, which often appears formulaic or lacks genuine personality.
Q5: Should I entirely replace human writing with AI?
A5: No, replacing human effort with AI can lead to lower-quality outreach and reduce the effectiveness of communication in sales. It's crucial to keep the human element intact.
