On being ChatGPT’d: Why AI-assisted communication can be a good thing

One of the most fascinating things I’m witnessing in our organization right now is that people are starting to ChatGPT each other. I call it being ChatGPT'd or ChatGPTified. 

It means that when faced with hard or emotionally charged conversations, people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT to help them explore perspectives, unpack feelings, and formulate thoughtful responses. The AI agent acts as an invisible intermediary, a thoughtful and neutral presence helping bridge the communication gap. 

The result are exchanges back and forth where the communication is clearer, more complete, and even more empathetic than the one-liner replies or awkward silences we used to see.

And while the idea of AI joining the conversation makes people feel uneasy, I love it.

Here’s why:

Not everyone has the same communication skillset. Some people are incredibly insightful, emotionally intelligent, and/or deeply knowledgeable, yet struggle to put those thoughts into words. Others may be more confident in expressing themselves, but don't have all the details.

What AI tools offer is a way to level that playing field. They give everyone, regardless of writing experience or emotional regulation skills, a way to be heard clearly and constructively. They help people take their own knowledge and feelings and articulate them in a way that is structured, kind, and powerful. It allows them to level up.

In the past, these conversations often didn’t happen at all. They stalled out with half-baked thoughts, abrupt tone shifts, or silence. Not because people didn’t care, but because it was too hard to figure out how to say the thing that needed to be said.

Now, I’m beginning to see real, meaningful communication emerge. And I can often tell when I’ve been ChatGPT’d. I don’t mind it one bit. In fact, I welcome it. I get more information. I hear more clearly what the other person means. And we move forward faster. We hear a lot about "AI slop," and I won't pretend it doesn't exist, but no one is talking about the flipside. 

I’ve worked in local government for nearly two decades, and I’m convinced we’re on the verge of one of the biggest upgrades our field has ever seen. For me, the worst part of working in local government isn't the red tape. It’s not the slow-moving processes.

It’s our collective lack of communication skills, coupled with our tendency to work in silos.

AI is helping us break through to the other side.

At the end of the day, better communication leads to better collaboration, less conflict, and deeper trust. So, AI isn't taking our voices away, it's elevating them. It’s helping us express them more clearly and confidently. And it's bringing new voices we don't usually hear from into the mix. 

So if you feel a little unsure about using a tool like ChatGPT to write that tricky email, frame that tough feedback, or respond thoughtfully to a colleague, go ahead. You’re not “cheating.” You’re evolving.

And honestly? That’s the best kind of growth we could hope for.

Just like a spell checker helps us become better spellers, AI can help us become better communicators. The person is still in control—AI simply assists, guiding our thoughts into clearer, more thoughtful expressions. It’s still your message, just with a little help getting it across.

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