Science & Tech · AI · 6 hrs ago
AI detectors are prompting writers to change their style
AI-detection tools are changing how some people write, even when they say they have not used AI.
The issue affects authors and students, including people whose writing is judged by tools such as Pangram.
Novelist Mia Ballard has denied using AI to write her book Shy Girl, which was withdrawn by publisher Hachette after Pangram gave it a 78.3% AI-written score.
Ballard says she wrote her later novel Poly by hand, but Pangram gave its first chapter a 100% AI-generated score.
Some writers are avoiding patterns they associate with chatbots, such as repeated phrasing, em dashes and polished grammar, and some are adding typos.
That pressure could flatten writing shaped by different languages and cultures, Nigerian writer Jerry Falade has warned.
Pangram says its detector examines thousands of signals and claims a false-positive rate of one in 10,000, while acknowledging that errors can happen.
As AI tools and detectors evolve, writers may spend more time trying to prove their work is human.
AI detection tools are prompting writers to change their style to avoid being suspected of using chatbots.
Some writers are avoiding stylistic habits associated with AI and deliberately introducing imperfections, including typos.
Novelist Mia Ballard’s book Shy Girl was withdrawn by Hachette in March after Pangram gave it a 78.3% AI-written score.
Ballard denies using AI to write the novel and says her editor may have used the technology without her knowledge.
Pangram says its detector analyses thousands of signals and claims a false-positive rate of one in 10,000, while acknowledging that mistakes are possible.
- Who
- Writers and students, including novelist Mia Ballard, are changing or questioning their writing because of AI detectors.
- What
- AI detection tools are influencing writing styles and contributing to concerns about false accusations.
- When
- AI detectors have been used in universities since 2023; Shy Girl was withdrawn in March, with the year not stated.
- Where
- The story discusses writers and students in different places, including Nigeria and universities; no single location is stated.
- Why
- Writers are trying to avoid being flagged as using AI, even when they say their work is human-written.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AI detectors have been used in universities, and some students have reported being wrongly accused.
Hachette withdrew Mia Ballard’s novel Shy Girl after Pangram gave it a 78.3% AI-written score.
- Shy Girl score
- 78.3% AI-written, according to Pangram
- Poly first chapter score
- 100% AI-generated, according to Pangram
- Sugar score
- 83%, according to Pangram
- Pangram claimed false-positive rate
- One in 10,000
- University use of detectors
- Since 2023