Can You Spot AI Writing?

Today's Read Time: 3.49 minutes

AI is everywhere now and we’re not mad about it. We use it for websites, social media, press releases, research, coding, illustrations and every other task that makes our workday a little easier (and faster). My seventh grader even tried to use it for a book report, which Mom promptly spotted and squashed. I give him points for resourcefulness, but the fingerprints of AI are obvious if you know what to look for.

These are ten of the most recognizable signs that something was written by a bot instead of a human. Get familiar with them, and if you’re using AI for work, let me help you make it sound a little more human.

1. Excessive Em Dashes: AI uses em dashes everywhere — constantly — without restraint — as if every thought needs a dramatic pause — or an elevated moment — or a breathy flourish. The writing ends up feeling jittery and over performed — not conversational. Did people use em dashes before AI? Very few of us did. This AI tell is what I affectionately refer to as punctuation confetti.

2. Fragmented Sentences: Short. Choppy. Abrupt. It reads like someone is hitting the brakes on every thought. Good writing carries the reader forward with anticipation. AI writing can be like a staccato that breaks the line and the rhythm, leaving the reader aware of the machinery behind it. Once you spot that cadence in AI generated writing, it becomes difficult to unsee.

3. Visual Flair: AI loves to decorate ordinary sentences with bolded words, italicized phrases, and highlighted sections that feel like ideas dressed up as if formatting alone makes a thought meaningful. People rarely write this way. Professional writing isn’t really about visual flair.

4. Overused “template phrases”: Phew! There are just some words that give me the ick and it seems that AI uses all of them: journey, upbeat, and fluff. These show up in all kinds of AI content because AI leans on patterns. Do these phrases feel familiar?

• "No fluff.”

• “Clarity and confidence.”

• “In today’s fast paced world.”

• “Unlock your potential.”

And maybe your business really is to create clarity for people- in that case, clarity makes sense. But if we’re Terminix, are we looking for clarity ? I'm not so sure. I suppose it’s less about the word and more about the context of the words. Make sure your AI writing is contextual.

5. False Enthusiasm: AI is trained to agree with you, so it’s writing often leans into an eager, performative positivity. It mirrors your tone, validates every idea, and adds a layer of cheer that people rarely use. The result is writing that sounds overly enthusiastic, even when the topic does not call for it. People respond with nuance and natural variability. AI is trained to please you, which can make the tone feel inflated and unmistakably artificial.

6. Vague Messaging: A lot of AI writing sounds vague because it is working from three half-baked sentences you dropped into the prompt box without much thought. When you give it shallow input, it fills in the gaps with generic language and broad statements. People bring context, history, and a point of view when they write. AI only has what you gave it. If you want a sharper, more thoughtful response, you have to feed it something sharper and more thoughtful to work with.

7. Transitions that feel manufactured: AI loves transitions: “Let’s explore this further,” “Another important point to consider,” or “Building on that idea.” They show up even when the writing does not need a bridge. People shift more naturally.

8. Emoji Overload: AI often uses emojis as visual signposts. You’ll see a clock dropped in front of a time, a calendar before a date, a checkmark before a bullet, or a lightbulb before a basic idea. It treats emojis like labels in a filing system, inserting them anywhere it thinks a reader needs help spotting the “important part.”

9. AI doesn’t challenge your thought: One of the clearest signs of AI writing is that it never pushes back. If you tell it the sky is green, it will confidently build an entire paragraph around your green sky. It accepts whatever premise you give it and expands it without question. People question things. They challenge assumptions, correct errors, and add context when something sounds off. AI simply reflects your input. So, when the input is shallow, biased, or incorrect, the output follows suit. If you put junk in, you will get junk out.

10. Too clean grammar: AI writing is almost too clean. The grammar is flawless, the commas are perfectly placed, and the phrasing is balanced. People do not speak or write that way. Our language has texture. AI tries to iron all of that out, and the result is writing that feels a little lifeless, as if ironing out every wrinkle accidentally removed the personality too.

AI can support your work, but it shouldn't replace your voice. If you need help shaping press releases, emails, website copy, or social media in a way that feels true to you, we’re here for it. Your story deserves to sound as unique as you are.