A supervisor at a small nonprofit is concerned about a subordinate’s use of AI to write messages, which feel impersonal and unsettling despite the employee’s competence and nonnative English background. The advice column acknowledges AI as a helpful tool for nonnative speakers but warns that overreliance can erase individual voice and create unease in professional communication. The supervisor is advised not to confront the employee directly but to establish a clear workplace policy on AI use, especially for sensitive topics, framing it as a supportive measure rather than criticism.

The column suggests emphasizing that prose quality won’t be judged to ease insecurity. A second letter briefly mentions a colleague who underuses AI and struggles with clarity, highlighting the balance needed in AI-assisted communication.