I Can Spot AI Writing Instantly — Here’s How You Can Too

About this video

• Video Title: I Can Spot AI Writing Instantly — Here’s How You Can Too
• Channel: Evan Edinger
• Speakers: Evan Edinger
• Duration: 00:15:59

Overview

This video serves as a guide on how to identify AI-generated text. Evan Edinger shares several "red flags" or common indicators found in AI writing, such as the overuse of M-dashes, parallel sentence structures, and lists of three. He also discusses how genuine human writing often includes personal anecdotes, tangents, and a more natural, less formulaic tone, contrasting it with the often generic and overly polished output of AI.

Key takeaways

• M-dashes are a red flag: AI models frequently overuse M-dashes, a punctuation mark that many humans are not familiar with or do not use regularly.
• Parallel sentence structures are common in AI writing: Phrases like "It's not just X, it's Y" or "It's about A, B, and C" are often used repetitively by AI.
• Lists of three are an AI tendency: Humans tend to prefer odd-numbered lists, especially groups of three, for completeness and memorability, a pattern AI often replicates.
• Generic and empty praise is an AI indicator: AI often uses vague, overly positive, or jargon-filled language that feels insincere or lacks specific meaning.
• Weird analogies and similes can be a sign of AI: AI may generate analogies that are grammatically correct but feel unnatural or forced, lacking the nuance of human expression.
• Constant restatement and over-explanation: AI writing can be repetitive, restating points multiple times or providing unnecessary context, unlike concise human communication.
• Human writing has personal touches: Genuine writing often includes personal anecdotes, experiences, and a distinct voice, making it feel more authentic and less generic.
• Tangents indicate human thought: Humans naturally go off on relevant tangents, connecting ideas in a way that AI struggles to replicate authentically.
• "Vibe check" is crucial: Ultimately, trusting your gut feeling about whether something sounds "off" or inauthentic is a key way to detect AI writing, as AI currently lacks genuine human intuition or "guts."