How to Identify AI-Written Texts: A Practical Guide

In the age of generative AI, distinguishing between human-written and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly important. With tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini capable of producing full essays, articles, and even poetry in seconds, it’s no longer safe to assume that every piece of writing you encounter online was crafted by a human. Whether you’re a teacher checking student work, a professional editor, a hiring manager reviewing cover letters, or simply a curious reader, knowing how to identify AI-written text is an essential digital literacy skill.

This guide will walk you through the telltale signs of AI writing, how it differs from human expression, and the tools you can use to detect it.

Common Characteristics of AI-Written Texts

AI-generated text is often impressively fluent—but that fluency can be a giveaway.

One common trait is repetitive or overly structured phrasing. AI models are trained to favor clarity and predictability, which often leads to familiar-sounding writing patterns. You might notice similar sentence constructions repeated throughout or transitions that feel mechanical, like “Furthermore,” “In addition,” or “As a result.” The use of em dashes to break up thoughts within a sentence is particularly common, as is the rhetorical form “X isn’t just Y; it’s Z.” While structure is typically a sign of good writing, excessive regularity can come off as robotic.

Another frequent giveaway is a lack of deep insight or nuance. AI can explain concepts accurately and clearly, but it often misses the subtle context or emotional intelligence that comes from lived experience or personal interpretation. Its output may sound informative, but it tends to rely on surface-level observations or broad generalizations rather than unique analysis or opinion.

You might also notice an overuse of formal or filler language. Phrases like “It is important to note that” or “In today’s fast-paced world” are common in AI writing and often contribute little substance. The result is polished but generic prose that lacks personality.

Finally, AI is still prone to factual inaccuracies, often called “hallucinations.” These errors might include made-up statistics, misattributed quotes, or invented citations. The writing may sound confident, but it’s not always grounded in reality—so checking specific claims is crucial.

Human vs. AI Writing: Key Differences

To better spot AI-generated writing, it helps to understand what makes human writing unique.

Human writing frequently includes elements that are deeply personal or emotionally resonant. It might share a story, express humor, or reveal a strong opinion shaped by personal experience. It also often contains imperfections—typos, idiosyncratic expressions, or inconsistent tone—that reflect the quirks of an individual voice. In contrast, AI-generated writing usually presents a smooth, neutral tone, free of grammatical errors or unusual syntax. It excels at structure but often lacks the personality or spontaneity that gives human writing its depth.

Even when mimicking a particular style, AI tends to generalize. It can simulate emotion or conviction, but the writing usually feels like it’s one step removed—like a summary rather than an original thought.

Tools to Detect AI-Written Text

If you’re unsure whether a text was written by a person or an AI, several detection tools can help analyze the content:

• GPTZero: Designed for educators, this tool evaluates how predictable and uniform the writing is, using metrics like “perplexity” and “burstiness.”
  
• Originality.AI: Popular among content marketers and publishers, it checks for signs of AI involvement in articles or web copy.
  
• Turnitin’s AI Detection: Widely used in educational institutions, especially for academic writing.

While helpful, these tools are not definitive. They may flag human writing as AI-generated if it’s too formal or well-edited, and can miss AI-written content that’s been heavily rewritten or paraphrased. A tool’s judgment is best treated as a data point—not a verdict.

Context and Behavioral Clues

Sometimes the strongest evidence of AI authorship isn’t in the text itself, but in the surrounding context.

A sudden increase in writing output—especially if the content is consistently polished—can be a red flag. If someone submits multiple essays or articles in a short timeframe, or produces work that seems out of character in terms of tone or clarity, it’s worth a closer look.

The appropriateness of the content for the situation also matters. A job application that reads like a university textbook, or an online review that sounds like a Wikipedia entry, may not match the expected voice or audience. Mismatched tone is often a clue.

Another telling sign is inconsistency across work. If one section of a document feels warm and personal while another is cold and clinical, it may suggest the blending of AI-generated material with human edits—or even multiple authors.

Tips for Human Reviewers

If you’re tasked with reviewing text for authenticity, a few strategies can help clarify whether AI was involved.

Start by asking the writer to elaborate. Can they explain their reasoning, sources, or thought process behind the writing? AI can’t do this credibly. Also, verify any references, data points, or examples included—especially if they seem too convenient or too perfect. Look for signs of emotional engagement or originality. Does the text reflect a real, lived perspective, or does it feel detached? And finally, consider the consistency of tone and voice throughout. Abrupt shifts or polished sections surrounded by rougher ones can be a sign of AI involvement.

These techniques don’t just help catch AI writing—they’re useful for evaluating overall writing quality and authenticity.

Final Thoughts

AI writing tools are powerful, accessible, and improving fast. They offer real benefits, from brainstorming to summarizing complex information. But with those benefits come new challenges in discerning who—or what—is behind a piece of content.

While it’s getting harder to distinguish AI-generated text from human-written work, the key lies in observation, context, and critical reading. A mechanical tone, a lack of insight, or inconsistencies in style can all point to AI involvement. Tools and software help, but they aren’t foolproof. The best defense remains human intuition, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

As AI continues to shape how we communicate, being able to recognize its voice—and its limits—will become more important than ever.

This blog was developed using AI tools. Can you spot some of the tells we’ve identified?