How ChatGPT Can Help with Speechwriting—But Why Authenticity Matters Most

The other day, I met with a client I’m helping prepare for a talk.
First, we work on finding the talk that is personal to them.
Then, we structure it in a way that highlights their story and style—which is different for everyone.

They brought me a piece that was already written, polished, and structured.
It checked all the boxes—clear, conversational, well-written.
But something about it felt off.
It wasn’t bad, but it was... bland.

And the person sitting in front of me?
They were anything but bland.

So I asked, “Did you write this?”

They said their team helped, including ChatGPT.
I use ChatGPT all the time—I think it’s a great tool for brainstorming and structure.
But a tool can’t replace the individual.

I told them, “This is a good piece, but it doesn’t feel personal.
It feels a little distant from you—do you know what I mean?”

Everything in it was true, and it was even written conversationally.
But the person sitting in front of me didn’t seem like they would actually speak these words.

So we started talking—really talking—and something shifted.
We dug deeper into their story, into their life.

What we unearthed couldn’t have come from an algorithm.
It was exciting, actually.
Their life wasn’t perfectly polished or tied up in a neat little bow.
It was messy and interesting and alive.

The story we’ve uncovered is theirs.
No one else—not even ChatGPT trying to sound like them—could tell it the way they will.

The AI-generated piece gave us something to anchor to, something to jump off of.
But now, their story has unpredictability.
It has energy.
It has a little bit of free-falling in it.

And I am here for it.
I can’t wait to see what comes from this.

Want to uncover your authentic story and create a talk that only you can deliver? Let’s connect—I’d love to help you bring your story to life.