New campaign urges users to stop pasting AI responses in personal messages
A new website, dontpastetheai.com, has launched to encourage individuals to write original replies rather than copying chatbot output, arguing that recipients value personal context over generic answers.
A new digital campaign has been launched to discourage the practice of pasting artificial intelligence-generated text into personal and professional communications. The website, dontpastetheai.com, urges users to provide their own original answers when responding to questions, positing that recipients generally prefer personal context and individual judgement over generic model output.
The platform argues that the person receiving a message has access to the same AI tools as the sender. If they desired a generic answer, they could have generated it themselves in seconds. By asking a specific individual, they are seeking that person's unique perspective, taste, and judgement. The campaign suggests that using chatbots to draft replies diminishes the value of personal interaction in digital spaces.
The site offers a shareable link intended for colleagues or friends who frequently paste model output into direct messages, Slack channels, or pull request reviews. This link serves as a non-confrontational reminder to write replies independently, avoiding the need for a direct lecture. The creators note that if someone sends this link, it is a sign of regard, prompting the recipient to take a breath and compose the next reply themselves.
The project is explicitly described as "satire, mostly," functioning as a humorous critique of digital etiquette rather than a strict ethical mandate. It includes a "version with feelings attached" for those who prefer a more emotive reminder, though the creators joke that this version is likely not safe for sending to managers.
The campaign addresses the growing prevalence of AI-generated text in everyday digital interactions. It highlights a cultural shift where individuals may use chatbots to answer questions quickly, potentially reducing the perceived value of personal engagement. The site posits that recipients often have the same tools available to them and would prefer the sender's unique take on a topic.
The project is free to share, remix, and translate, with contributions welcome via GitHub. It was reported on via Hacker News following its launch on 20 August 2026. The specific impact or adoption rate of the campaign is not yet known, and the effectiveness of the reminder in changing user behaviour remains unverified.
