The revolt of the reader

Reading is important to me. Writing complements reading by helping us clarify and share our thoughts. However, lately, I have been dismayed by a disturbing trend: an increasing number of pieces I encounter appear to be authored by artificial intelligence. This has left me asking two crucial questions: can readers detect these LLM-generated works, and do writers even care if their pieces are flagged as AI-written?

The answer to the first question is a resounding yes. Those with extensive reading experience can easily spot the distinct patterns and structural quirks left behind by AI. Moreover, the sheer frustration of encountering such content is so pronounced that it prompts readers to abandon the text mid-sentence, essentially ejecting themselves from the experience.

Readers, it seems, deeply care about authenticity and genuine expression. In fact, a recent survey of 668 developers revealed that 78% stopped reading outright upon detecting an LLM. An astonishing 71% of these developers also vowed never to engage with the author again. The reason for this reaction lies in a fundamental breach of the social contract between writer and reader, which should be built on mutual trust and respect.

By using LLMs to create content, authors are essentially lying to their audience, creating a void where authenticity should exist. This reaction is not limited to readers alone; it extends to the online community, where creators who produce honest, human-written content garner far more appreciation and reach. The consequences of using LLMs are dire: readers are repelled, and authors risk losing their credibility and audience.

Just as spam became increasingly ineffective when detection methods advanced, I believe that the use of LLMs in public writing could face a similar fate. The emergence of advanced detection tools, like Pangram Labs' Pangram 4, has made it increasingly difficult for authors to avoid scrutiny. By mandating that public Oxide writing be verified as human-authored through Pangram, I am taking a stand in the fight against AI-written content, hoping to restore trust and preserve the integrity of the written word.