source: simon willison: quoting paul graham
level: business
paul graham notes that many founder emails now arrive in a hard-hitting journalistic style, a tone he attributes to ai writing. he says no founder wrote this way before ai tools became common. once he spots ai-generated text, he finds it hard not to ignore the message. he has never knowingly finished reading an email signed by a human but written by ai. the experience feels like being lied to, and he questions who would tolerate that.
graham explains that receiving ai-written emails makes him think less of the author. it signals that the person cannot write well unaided, or believes they cannot, and is trying to trick him. he dismisses the use of ai for writing as unimpressive, noting that any teenager can do it. the core issue is the lack of transparency and the erosion of trust when communication is automated without disclosure.
the post, shared by simon willison, highlights a growing tension in professional communication. as ai writing tools become widespread, the line between authentic and generated content blurs. graham's reaction reflects a broader concern about authenticity and the value of human effort in correspondence. for founders and professionals, relying on ai to craft messages may backfire if recipients perceive it as dishonest or lazy.
why it matters: ai-generated communication can damage trust and credibility if recipients feel deceived, making transparency essential in professional interactions.