NOTE: No single use of a trait listed here necessarily denotes AI usage. Typically, when AI is used, multiple of these traits are plainly visible. This list is not exhaustive.

M-Dashes

Generative AI is trained on "formal style" samples, so it's become infamous for overuse of dashes and semicolons.

Example: "GenAI doesn't write-- it aggregates."

Overly Balanced Sentence Structure

GenAI's writing is rhythmic and reminiscent of breathing; almost every clause is evenly weighted with the others. Reporters vary their sentence style based on the emotional significance of an event. AI often doesn't.

The Missing Pieces

AIs are seldom specific. ChatGPT itself admits that AI "tells you what, but not how it felt." Here's an example it provided:

AI: “Residents expressed concern about rising costs.”
Human: “Outside the grocery store, Maria flipped over a tomato, sighed, and said, ‘Four dollars? For this?’”

Article Architecture

AI typically prefers to have an overly simplistic and easy-to-follow format, typically consisting of an intro, three clearly defined points, and a conclusion.

The largest tell, as it relates to this topic, is the use of transitional words. Most journalists and academic writers don't use simple terms like "first," "secondly," and "thirdly," but AI does to preserve simplicity.

AI Checkers Exist and are often FREE!

Here's an (unaffiliated) link to my favorite.