AI Learned Habits from Writers. And Now AI Detectors Say My Writing is Robotic

Ever felt like you're having a conversation with your laptop? Well, you’re not alone! It's the era of AI and machine learning, where our words are teaching machines to talk like us. 

But here's the twist: some AI detectors are now pointing fingers, claiming our writing is robotic. So, grab your virtual cuppa, because we're diving into the realm where human creativity meets the silicon realm.

AI and the Habits We Teach

Combat false positives on AI detectors with reason and positivity

Picture this: you're writing a blog post about your pet guinea pig. You're crafting sentences that are as cuddly as the piggies themselves. You use words like “furbaby” and “floof.” 

But guess what? As you write, the AI lurking behind your screen is learning from you. It's absorbing your style, your preferences, and the quirky way you phrase things.

And why wouldn't it? AI, especially those driven by machine learning, thrives on patterns. The more data it gets, the more it can mimic human speech. It's like having a tech-savvy parrot that can replicate your every word. But, as with all imitators, there's a fine line between sounding natural and sounding like a robot.

The Robotic Accusation

So, you're happily typing away, and you decide to check your writing with one of those fancy AI detectors that promise to catch any robotic tendencies. And there it is, blinking on your screen: a message claiming your writing was written by AI. You stare at it, baffled. How can an AI detector say that a robot created your lovingly crafted copy that you slaved hours over?

Turns out, AI detectors are like strict English teachers – they're programmed to identify deviations from what's considered natural human language. They've got a checklist of dos and don'ts, and if your writing doesn't match up, it's labeled as “robotic.” 

But here's the catch: while they're great at spotting grammar gaffes, they might not always understand the nuances of creative expression. AI doesn’t always understand your audience, tone of voice or naturally human speech which might include humour or sarcasm. 

The Quirky Charm vs. The Rulebook

Let's break it down further. Human language is a magical blend of rules and quirks. We break grammar rules for artistic effect, use metaphors to convey emotions, and sometimes just throw words around like confetti. 

But AI detectors are strict adherents of the grammar rulebook. They don't get puns, they can't tell when you're being intentionally repetitive for emphasis, and they certainly won't appreciate your witty wordplay.

And that's where the disconnect happens. Your creative flair, the very thing that makes your writing unique, is often the reason AI detectors cry “robot!” They're like the kid who's never heard of inside jokes and takes everything literally.

Don’t be put off by robotic accusations

Striking a Balance

This issue has recently led to a lot of amazing writers falling out of love with their craft and, in some cases, clients leaving their loyal copywriters out in the cold because they feel ChatGPT can write just as well. 

But don't despair. All hope isn't lost in this tech-versus-creativity showdown. It's all about finding the right balance between human charm and the AI rules. Here’s a useful guide on how ChatGPT can work with you to hone your skills.

Know Your Audience

If your writing is meant for a more formal audience, sticking to the rulebook might be a good call. But if it's a quirky blog post or a creative piece, don’t be afraid to use words that really reflect your creative personality.

Edit with Caution

Before you submit your work to the AI detector, give it a human read-through. Make sure it flows naturally and captures your voice. Don’t be bullied into changing your style just because the computer says no. 

Educate the AI

Some AI tools allow you to provide feedback. If the detector flags something that's intentionally creative, note that it's a stylistic choice, not a mistake.

Context is Key

AI detectors often struggle with context. If your writing is deliberately repetitive or sarcastic, make sure it's clear from the surrounding text. Even then, it may be flagged. Explain this to your clients ahead of time to help them understand why the text is flagged. 

In fact, copy that shows as 100% human-generated may be a little too flat and lacking in character. This is because the AI detector understands everything about what you wrote, so your tone reflects exactly what the robot thinks a human should say. 

Use ChatGPT to enhance your writing style

Speak to Your Clients

This brand-new switch in creativity has led to many clients either questioning why they need writers at all, or asking their dedicated writers, who have written their content for years, why they now get an AI-generated score when using an AI detector. They ask if you, as a creative mastermind, have now started using a robot instead of writing yourself. 

This is usually because the client doesn’t understand the way AI detectors work and won’t really buy into the fact that it’s your natural way of writing that’s causing you to sound robotic - it does sound far fetched, let’s face it. 

How to Convince Your Client that Human-Generated Content is Still a Necessity

Well, if you’ve had a client for years - long before the introduction of AI as a writing tool, then the simple test for them is to show them pieces that you wrote before the new AI boom. If they’re a similar tone and style, then it’s clear that this is your writing style, no matter what an AI detector says. 

However, if they’re a newer client, this can be a little more tricky. It’s important to explain the above points and talk through the way in which AI creates content, learning continuously from diligent writers who care about their craft. 

It’s also important to point out that we don’t actually know what the future holds in terms of AI. It’s very likely that laws will be introduced to combat the rise of AI over human-generated content in various fields, not just writing. 

Think about all those graphic designers, video editors and web developers that are currently going through the exact same struggles as us writers. 

If restrictions do come into play about the use of AI, it could be that all your client’s AI generated content is useless. Whereas, with your carefully crafted copy, they own the rights and can continue to use it to promote their businesses way into the future. 

Use AI to develop a better relationship with your client

Embracing the AI-Human Dance

While AI has made incredible strides in understanding and generating human-like text. But it's not perfect – it still has a lot to learn about our quirky, imaginative, and often rule-bending language.

Sure, use it as a tool to catch grammar glitches, improve readability, and provide suggestions. But remember that your unique creative spirit is what sets your writing apart from the algorithmic masses. If you’d like to understand how to take advantage of the new AI storm, there are some resources available, like this, that could really give you that competitive edge.

The Future of Creativity and Tech

As AI continues to evolve, we'll likely see more advanced detectors that understand not just grammar rules but the intricate tapestry of human expression. Until then, keep embracing the weird and wonderful ways you weave words together.