Less Time, Less Attention for AI-Created Content

2026-07-07 · Source: Tom’s Substack · Field: Business & Management — Marketing, Branding & Advertising, Corporate Strategy & Leadership, Operations & Process Management · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

The proliferation of AI-generated content is intensifying a "content glut," leading to a significant decline in human attention, according to an analysis revisiting the 2001 concept of "The Attention Economy." This issue is evident in software development, where AI-assisted code generation, despite increasing output, demands more human attention for testing and quality assurance, contributing to stagnant or declining coding productivity measures. The problem extends to other domains, with self-published books increasing by one million in 2025 over 2024, largely attributed to AI. In marketing, 90% of content marketers use AI writing tools, with 85.1% deploying it for blog content generation, further saturating the digital landscape. By November 2024, AI-created internet content surpassed 50%. To counter this, creators aiming for human engagement must either produce content themselves or invest significant effort to make it distinct and compelling.

Key takeaway

For marketing professionals and AI/ML directors deploying generative AI for content creation, recognize that increased output does not guarantee human attention. You must prioritize human oversight for AI-generated code to prevent system breakdowns and ensure quality. For content intended for human consumption, invest significantly in unique, human-crafted narratives or highly refined AI-assisted content that stands out. Your efforts should focus on genuine engagement, not just volume, to avoid being lost in the growing content glut.

Key insights

AI-driven content proliferation creates an attention deficit, demanding human effort for meaningful engagement.

Principles

• Content glut reduces human attention.
• AI-generated content requires human validation.
• Unique human creativity stands out.

Method

To address the content glut for human impact, either create content yourself or work hard to make it different, amusing, interesting, or touching.

In practice

• Prioritize human-authored content.
• Invest in unique, engaging content creation.
• Manually review all AI-generated code.

Topics

• Generative AI
• Content Overload
• Attention Economy
• Code Generation
• Marketing Content
• Human-AI Collaboration

Best for: AI Product Manager, Product Manager, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Marketing Professional, Director of AI/ML

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Tom’s Substack.