How do you recognise an AI text?
Can you unmask an AI text? Suppose you compare two texts written from the same briefing. One version written by a human, one by AI. What’s the case? The better text often comes from AI. However, until a few months ago it was the other way round. As such, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recognise AI-generated texts. But there are a few pitfalls that AI keeps falling into. And that is exactly where human writers can make a difference! Bavo Van Landeghem of Scriptorij explains how to recognise AI texts and gives tips on how to use AI tools as writing aids.
AI texts are superficial
Texts written by AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot are often very general and remain on the surface. One of our favourite writing tips at Scriptorij is: write in layers. How do you do that?
Writing tips:
- Alternate generic sentences with specific ones.
- Add examples and nuances after a generic sentence.
- And not just random examples, but specific anecdotes or references, tailored to your purpose and audience.
Beware: AI tools also generate examples, but these will often be general in nature. Why? Because the system has no idea with what intention you are writing your text.
Spot the difference!
Do you notice how the AI text stays more general?
AI:
‘Entrepreneurs need to make a lot of small decisions every day. Together these decisions have a big impact on the success, growth and resilience of their business. It is precisely in those seemingly small choices that there is a difference between stagnation and sustainable progress.’
Human:
‘Entrepreneurs need to make a lot of small decisions every day. Think of signing a quotation, placing an office order, giving feedback, etc. That’s why we hired Chris as office manager. Someone who connects the dots, does the final spelling check on the quotation, and checks whether the notebook order was effectively received.’
AI texts are full of clichés
AI tools struggle with creative language. They tend to resort to using clichés and exaggerated figures of speech. Think of ‘a whirlwind of emotions’ or ‘a journey full of ups and downs’. You can pick out the examples in no time on your LinkedIn feed. They are particularly uninspiring because the comparisons are too obvious. Which is only logical, as creative language requires human intuition and context.
Writing tip:
- Come up with comparisons that surprise and inspire
For instance, I compare writing a speech to the blue-ribbon event in athletics: the 100-metre sprint.
- A good speech has a rock-solid structure (stay in your lane),
- has a banging start and a memorable end,
- and only works in a stadium filled to the brim with enthusiasm (pull out the rhetorical techniques).
- To illustrate: think of Usain Bolt’s memorable 100-metre sprint, on 16 August 2009 in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
AI texts are predictable and repetitive
AI tools typically write with a very consistent tone, sentence length and structure. This makes the text easy to read, but at the same time it feels flat. The text becomes monotonous and contains a lot of repetition, and little variation and creativity. As a result, your text becomes very predictable.
Writing tips:
- Change your tone more often.
- Use fragments, unexpected twists or rhetorical questions.
Want to use AI more intelligently as a writing aid?
- Then explicitly ask for a shorter, more varied version.
Spot the difference!
Do you notice how AI text is more monotonous?
AI:
"De opkomst van kunstmatige intelligentie verandert de manier waarop we werken, communiceren en leven. Het biedt talloze kansen, maar roept ook vragen op over ethiek en verantwoordelijkheid."
Human:
‘AI. A buzzword that simultaneously evokes hope and discomfort. We are automating faster than we understand – and somewhere we know: this is going to fundamentally change our world.’
AI translates too literally
Do you use AI tools to translate texts? Then you usually get a word-for-word literal translation. Little nuance. Little creativity. Maybe good when you want to translate the features of a particular product, less so if you want to motivate your reader.
Tips for smarter use of AI tools as translation aids:
- Use more classic online translation tools such as DeepL for literal translations. They work just as well as AI chatbots and are better for the environment.
- Need a creative translation? Then feel free to use AI but explicitly ask for nuances and cultural adaptation.
- To do this, you need to prime the system properly first: clearly communicate your expectations beforehand.
AI texts contain fabricated sources
Do you ask AI tools to provide a text with sources? Then you’ll get a laundry list of references. That’s what the model is trained to do: it has seen countless texts that contain source references and so it knows perfectly what a reference looks like. Only, the AI model does not know whether the sources are correct and relevant; if there is even a real page behind certain URLs. And that is a quite the challenge! While a lot of sources will certainly make sense, there will undoubtedly be some misleading references.
Writing tip:
- Check EVERY source suggested by AI.
Do AI models deliberately generate wrong sources? No, they do not do this out of ill will or as a joke. It is because the tools can’t do better, and they don’t know any better.
Let me reassure you: the sources at the bottom of this blog are all checked and relevant :)
Tools to recognise AI texts
Did you know that there are tools to help detect AI texts? Just keep in mind: no tool is 100% accurate.
- GPTZero: Analyses ‘perplexity’ and certain language patterns to recognise AI texts. Widely used in education and recruitment.
- Originality.ai: Very accurate at detecting AI-generated content, especially from AI models such as GPT-3, GPT-4, Claude and Gemini. Popular with content marketers, SEO specialists and publishers.
And there are also tools that do the opposite…
- Textguard: ‘Humanises’ your AI text. How? For example, by adding a few more minor language mistakes :)
So, how do you recognise an AI text?
- Look for exaggerated or emotionless language
- Look for metaphors and clichés
- Look for literal translations
- Look for repetition
- Double-check source references
- Double-check the correctness of current, specific info
Read and learn more
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That's what we asked Christophe Benoit (Erasmushogeschool Brussel).
Bavo Van Landeghem
Bavo Van Landeghem – founder and manager of Scriptorij specialising in tone of voice – combines the sky of a degree in communication sciences with the limits of a linguist. As a language strategist, he helps organisations search for their own language DNA and verbal branding to move their audience with the right words. He is author of the book ‘Schrijf ze onder de tafel!’ (Write them under Table!). More than 5,000 people have already followed his interactive training in ‘Werve(le)nd Writing’ (Writing Vividly/Persuasively). He is a passionate trainer and speaker at seminars, workshops, or events. Finally, he is also a guest lecturer at Arteveldehogeschool, Hogeschool VIVES, HOGENT, UGent, UAntwerp, VUB and KU Leuven.
