Recognising AI Content

As AI-generated content becomes more common, the ability to recognise it — and to know when it matters — is a useful skill.

Why it matters

AI-generated content is not inherently bad. The problem arises when AI-generated content is presented as human-created, verified, or original when it is not. Knowing how to spot it helps you assess whether information, images, or creative work can be trusted.

Signs of AI-generated text

• Unnaturally balanced structure — exactly three points to every argument, headers on everything
• Generic, non-specific examples that sound plausible but are vague
• Filler phrases: "It is important to note", "In conclusion", "As an AI language model"
• No personal voice, anecdotes, or specific details
• Confident statements that cannot be verified

Signs of AI-generated images

• Hands with the wrong number of fingers or strange proportions
• Text in the image that is garbled or illegible
• Ears, hair, or background details that do not quite make sense on close inspection
• Overly smooth, almost plastic-looking skin

AI detection tools

Various tools claim to detect AI-generated text — but none are reliable enough to use as definitive proof. A text can be heavily edited after AI generation to avoid detection, and the tools have significant false-positive rates. Use them as a signal, not a verdict.

The goal is not to reject AI-generated content — it is to evaluate it with the same critical eye you bring to any source. Who created this? Why? Can I verify the claims?