Content is everywhere. Whether it’s blog posts, news articles, or social media updates, we’ve become very reliant on the written word to stay informed and entertained. But not all content is created equal. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), distinguishing between human and AI-generated content has become more difficult and increasingly important. This matters because AI-generated content can sometimes spread misinformation or fake news, impacting our understanding of the world.
In this blog post, we’ll explore six ways to spot AI-generated content, helping you stay informed and safe online. By the end, you’ll have a set of tools and tips that will make you a more discerning consumer of digital information.
1. Look for Repetitive Phrases
One of the telltale signs of AI-generated content is the repetition of phrases or words. See, AI algorithms often struggle with creating varied language and may resort to repeating the same phrases multiple times. For example, if you’re reading an article and notice that it’s using the same terms over and over again, it might be a sign that a machine, not a human, wrote it.
This repetition can occur because AI models are trained on large datasets where they may pick up on frequent patterns. Unlike humans, who naturally vary their language, AI tends to stick to familiar structures to maintain proper grammar. This makes AI content recognizable if you know what to look for.
2. Watch for Lack of Emotional Depth
Human writers often use emotional language to connect with their readers. Our writing tends to reflect our feelings, whether we’re experiencing joy, anger, excitement, or sadness. AI, on the other hand, struggles to replicate this emotional depth. If you read a piece that feels unusually flat or unemotional, it could be AI-generated.
While it’s true that AI is improving and can mimic emotions to some extent, it generally lacks the nuance and empathy that characterize human writing. So, pay attention to the emotional tone of the content. It might be worth investigating further if it feels off or strangely neutral.
3. Check for Inconsistent Facts
AI-generated content can sometimes include factual inconsistencies. AI models may be excellent at generating text, but their information isn’t necessarily correct. If you come across conflicting facts or data points within the same article, it may be a sign that an AI wrote it.
Whether on their own or with the help of editors, humans tend to fact-check their work thoroughly, allowing them to spot inconsistencies during the writing process. AI models on the other hand generate text based on patterns in existing data, which can lead to errors. This is why you should always verify facts when something seems off.
4. Notice Generic Content
AI-generated content often lacks specificity, meaning it feels overly generic or fails to provide detailed information. While human writers offer unique insights and perspectives based on their experiences and research, generative AI content tends to be more general or broad.
For example, a human writer might share a personal anecdote or provide specific examples to illustrate a point. With AI-generated content, though, you often end up with something less detailed. So, when an article lacks depth or specificity, it might be a clue that the content isn’t human-made.
5. Use AI Content Detectors
One of the quickest and easiest ways to spot machine-made text is to use an AI checker. To find out the likelihood of a text being AI-written, simply enter it into a tool like Originality.ai’s AI detector. These tools use various algorithms to compare the text against known AI writing patterns.
Note the word “likelihood”—AI content detection tools can’t identify the source of text with 100% certainty. But while they may not be foolproof, they offer an additional layer of scrutiny that can help you make more informed judgments about content.
6. Evaluate Writing Style
Finally, consider the overall writing style. More often than not, human writers have unique voices and styles that reflect their personalities and expertise. On the other hand, in its effort to be grammatically correct, AI-generated content doesn’t have a unique writing style. Therefore, writing that feels too uniform or lacks a personal touch might be AI-generated.
You’ll often notice that human writing uses a mix of sentence structures, varied vocabulary, and a personal tone, while AI-generated content can feel monotonous and impersonal. So, pay attention to the writing style to help determine the authenticity of the content.
Staying Informed in the Digital Age
Understanding the difference between AI and human-generated content is crucial if you’d like to avoid believing or spreading fake news and misinformation. Fortunately, by looking for repetitive phrases, lack of emotional depth, inconsistent facts, and generic content, as well as using AI content detectors and evaluating the overall writing style, you can stay well-informed and make sound decisions based on reliable information.
In a world where AI continues to advance, spotting AI-generated content is a valuable skill. Stay curious, stay skeptical, and always seek the truth!
