AI writing has become increasingly prevalent, and as an AI enthusiast, I’ve honed my ability to detect it. This skill is rooted in my background in critical reading and textual analysis, combined with extensive experience consuming AI-generated text.

Interestingly, studies have shown that human experts can sometimes surpass AI detectors in identifying AI-created content.

Recognizing AI Writing: A Learned Ability A group of early adopters, including prompt engineers and AI enthusiasts, began exploring this technology before the rise of ChatGPT. Pioneers like Amanda Weston and Sean Volsler have significantly shaped AI's role in copywriting. If you believe AI writing started with ChatGPT's launch on November 30, 2022, you might be mistaken. Many of us were already familiar with the pervasive presence of AI-generated text online.

It’s intriguing to see people become enamored with phrases they’ve discovered online, only to realize later that they were AI creations.

AI's Discreet Influence on Digital Content AI-generated content existed long before the advent of ChatGPT. Anyone browsing the internet in 2021 likely encountered AI text without realizing it. It’s reminiscent of a Palmolive commercial where a customer is shocked to discover she’s been using a new dish soap all along.

The Immensity of AI Text I aim to read around 100 books annually while keeping up with current events, yet I still find myself reading more AI-generated content in my daily work. This phenomenon is astonishing, as large language models (LLMs) can produce text with remarkable ease. While some may view AI as a threat to literature, I find it exhilarating that books can finally engage in dialogue.

The text produced through procedural generation exists due to its extensive training data; it’s akin to a massive whale emerging from the collective unconscious. I often find myself identifying these AI "whales" in various online platforms. It’s both amusing and disheartening to see authors claim AI content as their own, only for it to be accepted and praised by readers.

Dissecting AI in Popular Articles I won’t directly call out a fellow Medium author, but I will share reasons that lead me to believe a particular article, which garnered over 6K claps and 132 comments, is AI-generated. Published in a reputable publication and highlighted by well-known figures on the platform, it stands out as a compelling read.

Some readers have expressed their admiration, unaware of the article's AI origins.

The irony lies in how an AI-generated piece can be hailed as the writer's finest work, showcasing the subtlety of AI text.

Identifying Cues of AI Writing One key indicator that readers often overlook is the frequent use of the word "crucial." Over time, I’ve come to recognize AI-generated content as easily as an old friend. While I had never encountered this particular author before, the writing style felt strikingly familiar.

The article exhibits numerous clichés and typical phrases that characterize AI-generated text.

Here are some phrases that frequently appear in AI writing: - "It’s crucial to strike a balance." - "If [topic] is significant, embrace it responsibly." - "Finding the right balance." - "The vast majority of." - "Not only am I [action], but my [secondary result]."

Such expressions may seem acceptable individually, but together they form a pattern that reveals their AI origins.

The Unforeseen Appeal of AI-Generated Content This situation illustrates how readers might unwittingly prefer AI-generated writing when they are unaware of its source. The algorithms behind AI generate content designed to appeal to popular tastes, creating a polished and coherent narrative.

It’s essential to recognize that, while AI can produce enjoyable text, we should remain vigilant in distinguishing between human and machine-generated content.

I encourage everyone to explore the realm of AI writing with an open mind and recognize its potential to entertain and inform. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

Who is Jim the AI Whisperer? I am dedicated to demystifying AI and making its potential accessible to all. I strive to share my insights and discoveries with you.

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You might enjoy these articles from Jim the AI Whisperer: - April Fool’s Day: I pranked BBC news with an AI image and they published it as a real photograph - The 19 tell-tale signs an article was written by AI