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If you've been on TikTok lately, you might have noticed a trend: it's getting harder to tell what's real or AI anymore. |
AI-generated videos are now getting billions of views on social platforms. With tools like Google's VEO 3 creating hyper-realistic content in minutes, we're witnessing "The Great AI Sloppification" (h/t Justine Moore from a16z). |
And it's just the beginning. AI video will only get better, faster, and more accessible. |
This shift is creating a fascinating paradox that every content creator, marketer, and business professional should probably start paying attention to. |
So in today's newsletter, I'm breaking down: |
Why content creation is simultaneously getting harder and more valuable What type of content will survive (and thrive) in an AI landscape How to leverage this moment for massive career advantage
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—@dharmesh |
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The Content Creation Paradox |
 | Image credits: CBC, AiVerseCreations/TikTok, clippingai/Instagram, The AiEscape/TikTok) |
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I've been watching this unfold in real-time, and I keep hearing two opposing arguments about AI-generated content: |
Argument 1: "Good content is good content. If your content is quality, it will still rise to the top." |
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Generally speaking, I agree with this. Quality has always been the differentiator. |
Argument 2: "We're about to be drowning in AI-generated content. How can anything stand out?" |
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This is also true. And here's why both can be correct simultaneously. |
If content becomes 100x easier to create, there will be at least 100x more content. It's pure mathematics. Even if your content is good, you're now competing against an exponentially larger pool of creators - including many of whom are fully AI. |
Yet paradoxically, there's never been a more important time to be a skilled content creator. Companies are desperately seeking people who understand how to cut through the noise and create content that actually resonates. They're willing to pay significant sums for creators who can consistently go viral or build engaged communities. |
The question isn't whether content creation is valuable -- it's more valuable than ever. |
The question is: how long will this last, and what type of content will survive the AI flood? (more on that below) |
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Your Human Experience Moat |
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Here's my take: Focus on creating content that AI fundamentally cannot generate. |
What are those things? Well, I think it all comes down to one critical element: Human experiences. |
AI will never be able to authentically tell the story of your personal journey, your unique insights from years in an industry, your specific failures and lessons learned, or your genuine reactions to events as they unfold. |
Human insights based on things we humans actually do, think, and feel will be in massive demand. This doesn't matter where you post -- LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, or anywhere else. What matters is optimizing for real human insight and authenticity. |
The content creators who start focusing on this now will have a big leg up. |
Speaking of platforms, I still believe posting on LinkedIn is one of the most underrated career hacks available today. But similarly, the strategy has fundamentally shifted: |
Best Practice Then: |
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated with credentials—where you went to school, where you've worked, achievements, certifications, etc. aka SHOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE
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Best Practice Now: |
Post to LinkedIn regularly with your actual ideas, thoughts, reactions, projects, aspirations, and insights from your work. aka SHARE WHAT YOU THINK
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The key is authenticity over commercialization. It's about establishing context for others so that the right people, opportunities, and yes--even AI agents--know how to connect the dots around your expertise and interests. |
Bonus points if you come from a place of genuine generosity. Help elevate others. Provide useful and honest feedback. Value other people's time even more than your own. |
LinkedIn remains the world's best platform for connecting professional dots, but those that stand out are sharing their unique human perspective rather than generic corporate speak (because AI can do that). |
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Your Content Strategy in the AI Era |
The "Great AI Sloppification" is a shift in how content is getting created and consumed. |
The creators who will thrive aren't all necessarily those with the best tools or the highest production value (yet some will still thrive here). They're the ones who understand that authenticity and genuine human insight are becoming increasingly rare and valuable commodities. |
My advice: Ask yourself, what unique value do I bring to the table based on my personal life experiences? Then start braindumping content about it. |
Start documenting your real experiences, insights, and lessons learned right now. Share your actual thoughts on industry developments. Tell stories about your failures and what you learned from them. React authentically to events in your field. |
It's not being vulnerable for the sake of it--it's about creating content that no AI can replicate because it comes from your lived experience. |
The window of opportunity for content creation is still wide open, but it's changing. |
Start building your human experience moat today. Your future self (and career) will probably thank you :) |
—Dharmesh (@dharmesh) |
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