Don’t let AI dictate your writing — keep the em dash

In the evolving landscape of writing, AI has introduced a new challenge. After completing a paragraph and reviewing it, writers find themselves scrutinizing their usage of punctuation marks, particularly the em dash. This punctuation, once a staple in writing for over 200 years, has become a target for AI detection tools. Writers now fear that using this mark might lead to their work being flagged as AI-generated.

Colons and even comma usage have also fallen under suspicion, leading to a growing list of punctuation marks that writers try to avoid. This shift in writing habits is not just a minor annoyance; it represents a significant change in how we approach the craft of writing. The bigger concern is that we are learning to write intentionally poorly, on purpose.

AI detectors are designed to identify patterns that distinguish human writing from machine-generated content, and these patterns include controlled vocabulary and a controlled sentence structure. Writers are responding to this pressure by reintroducing mistakes and using weaker words, even in their second language, in an attempt to avoid detection.

This trend is particularly pronounced for non-native English speakers, who often write more plainly and steadily, making them more susceptible to AI detection. The impact of these tools extends beyond academic settings to book publishing, as evidenced by the removal of Mehendi Nights by Indian writer Sharon Aruparayil from consideration for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize due to AI detection.

The situation is further exacerbated in the professional world, with authors like Jerry Falade facing scrutiny and even withdrawal of their works due to AI detection. The tools used for detection are not foolproof, and authors are left to prove their innocence, which is an unfair burden placed on them. The fear of being labeled as AI-generated is causing writers to alter their natural style, hindering their ability to express themselves effectively.

Universities are taking notice of this issue and have decided to disable AI detection tools, recognizing their unreliability as proof of authorship. Ultimately, the solution lies in switching off these detectors and accepting that the habit of writing intentionally poorly will persist. Writers should focus on writing what they truly mean, keeping the em dash and other punctuation marks if they wish.

The onus of suspicion should not fall on the author, but rather on the tools themselves to provide a more accurate assessment.