AI vs Human Copy: Can You Really Tell the Difference?

Last time we had a natter about AI and copywriting ("AI-Powered Copywriting: Friend or Foe"), we talked about how clever it is, and how fast, but also about what it can’t do. The nuance, the personality, the little touches that make readers sit up and care? That’s all human territory. Today, we thought we’d show you what that actually looks like in practice.

AI Copy v Human Copy

The Test: AI vs Human

We ran a little experiment. We asked an AI to write a short product description for a Yorkshire coffee roastery. The result? Clear, tidy, informative. It ticked all the boxes: what the coffee is, where it comes from, a few flavour notes.

But… it didn’t make you feel anything. There was no spark, no story, no hint of personality. It was competent, sure, but flat.

Then we had a go ourselves. Same word count, same product, but we added a bit of Yorkshire colour, a touch of humour, and a little story about the roastery’s journey.

Suddenly, the coffee wasn’t just a product, it had character. You could picture the roasting process, smell the beans, maybe even imagine yourself pouring a cup. It connected, it engaged, and it made you care.

We are just a little bit interested here in which version you would prefer? Leave a quick note in the comments below.

AI Version (Flat, Informative, No Personality)

Yorkshire Roastery’s Dark Roast Coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from South America. The beans are carefully roasted to produce a rich, full-bodied flavour with notes of chocolate and caramel. This coffee is suitable for use in espresso machines, filter coffee makers, and French presses. Available in 250g and 1kg bags. Freshly roasted and vacuum-packed for quality.

Human Version (Engaging, Personality-Driven, Storytelling)

Meet Yorkshire Roastery’s Dark Roast, our local pride in every cup. We start with hand-picked Arabica beans from South America, roasted slowly right here in Yorkshire to bring out that bold, chocolatey richness with a hint of caramel sweetness.

Pour yourself a cup and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the roastery itself, the warm aroma filling the room. Perfect for your morning espresso, a lazy French press, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Packed fresh in 250g or 1kg bags, it’s coffee with character, roasted with love, and a touch of Yorkshire heart.

What This Tells Us

Don't get us wrong, AI is brilliant for certain things that we need to do each and every day:

• Speed. Need content fast? It delivers.

• Consistency. No off days, no missing the brief.

• Idea generation. It can throw up angles, titles, or rough outlines in seconds.

But when it comes to connection, persuasion, and storytelling? That’s still human territory. People respond to emotion, subtle jokes, local references, and storytelling. AI just doesn’t have that.

Also like we said in our previous article, AI written content is all starting to look and sound the same!

Finding the Sweet Spot

The best approach isn’t choosing between AI or humans, it’s using both.

Let AI handle the heavy lifting: drafting, idea generation, first versions. Then you step in to add personality, warmth, and nuance. That’s where content really works. Efficiency from the machine, creativity from the human. It’s a tag-team that actually delivers.

Next Steps for Your Business

If you’re experimenting with AI for your own copy, keep it simple:

• Use it for ideas and first drafts, not the finished piece.

• Keep your brand voice front and centre. AI can mimic tone, but only you can be authentic.

• Edit ruthlessly. Remove fluff, clarify the message, and humanise the copy.

• Focus on storytelling and emotion; that’s where people connect.

Wrapping Up

AI isn’t a replacement; it’s a tool. It can save time, generate ideas, and speed things up. But connection, engagement, and persuasion? That’s human work.

If you want to see what two humans at Yorkshire Writers can do, get in touch for a natter. We’ll write your copy with a real personality.