My Friday morning at the 2025 New England Area Conference (NEAC) kicked things off with an informative session titled “If You Give a Robot a Story: Humanize AI-Generated Content” by Stephanie Hubka.
It was more than just another talk about artificial intelligence—it was a deep dive into the power of story and how it’s often the missing ingredient in AI-generated content.
Why Stories Matter in an AI World
Stephanie started by pointing out something many of us have felt but not always verbalized: AI is efficient, yes—but it lacks soul.
Her main point? Stories are the human touch that AI content needs.
- Stories trigger chemical responses in the brain.
- They help us connect on both an emotional and intellectual level.
- Stories are how we make sense of the world and our work.
We even had time during the session to share personal stories with others around us, reinforcing the idea that storytelling builds community.
Generative AI – A Powerful, but Soulless, Teammate
Stephanie described generative AI as a great brainstorming partner, but a poor collaborator because it doesn’t resonate with emotions or real-life experiences.
Here’s what AI does well:
- Breaks through writer’s block
- Rapidly generates content ideas
- Sifts through massive amounts of data
- Provides a creative boost
But here’s the caution: Without human stories, AI output feels generic. That’s where we come in.
The SOUL Framework: Giving AI Heart
Stephanie introduced a powerful acronym—SOUL—to guide us in infusing humanity into our content:
- S – Spark. Ignite curiosity, highlight real-life experiences, and encourage critical thinking.
- O – Overcome. Show how challenges are met, how change is navigated, and how growth occurs.
- U – Underscore. Clarify key points by simplifying complex ideas and emphasizing what matters most.
- L – Link. Connect the story back to learners, their goals, and the work they do.
This framework isn’t just for storytelling—it’s a blueprint for transforming sterile content into something meaningful.
Practical Application: From the Military to GPTs
Stephanie’s SOUL concept immediately reminded me of my time in the Air Force. We’d write basic, sterile lesson plans, then each team member would “localize” them by adding personal stories and experiences to bring the content to life.
Today, I’m imagining building a custom GPT based on the SOUL framework. Here’s the idea:
- Start with dry instructional content or an outline.
- Use the custom GPT to suggest where to weave in personal stories.
- Train the model using priming documents so it understands my tone, experiences, and goals.
AI may not be familiar with your industry perfectly, but with the right priming, it can get pretty close.
Use AI Thoughtfully—But Start With You
One final point hit home: Don’t go to AI first. Starting with AI can stifle your own creativity. It’s tempting to let the robot do the work, but if we skip the messy, human brainstorming part, we miss our best ideas.
Here’s a better flow:
- Brain dump your raw ideas.
- Use AI to expand, refine, and shape those ideas.
- Add SOUL—your stories, your voice, your experiences.
That’s the formula for content that resonates.
Key Takeaways
- AI is a tool, not a teammate. It helps you start, but can’t replace your human touch.
- Storytelling is essential—not optional—in content creation.
- Use the SOUL framework to guide how and when you add narrative.
- Start with YOU. Don’t let AI be your first draft; let it be your editor or enhancer.
Final Thoughts
Stephanie’s session was a fantastic reminder that even in a world of automation, humanity still leads. Our experiences, challenges, and emotions are what make content stick.
So yes—give the robot a story. Just make sure it’s your story.
Photo by Mark Neal
