Wondering if something you're reading was written by AI? Here are five clear signs that can help you identify AI-generated content quickly.

1. The "Perfect Student" Syndrome

AI-generated text often reads like an eager student trying to tick every box. Look for:

Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of a topic

Perfectly structured arguments with clear transitions

Every paragraph contributing something "important"

No tangents or personal asides

Real human writing is messier. We go off on tangents, emphasise what interests us, and sometimes skip over "important" points because we find them boring.

2. Suspiciously Smooth Transitions

AI loves transition phrases. Watch for an overabundance of:

"Furthermore" and "Moreover"

"Additionally" and "In addition"

"It's worth noting that"

"Interestingly"

While humans use these too, AI tends to use them consistently and predictably, creating an almost rhythmic quality to the text.

3. The Absence of Strong Opinions

AI tends to hedge its bets. Look for:

Balanced presentations of multiple viewpoints

Careful qualification of statements

Lack of passionate advocacy

"On the other hand" without genuine conviction

Human writers, especially on topics they care about, tend to have clear opinions and aren't afraid to express them.

4. Generic Examples and Analogies

When AI provides examples, they're often:

Well-known and commonly cited

Vague rather than specific

Lacking personal connection

"Textbook" rather than real-world

If someone writes about their experience but can only provide the kind of examples you'd find in a Wikipedia article, that's a red flag.

5. Unnaturally Consistent Quality

Real human writing has peaks and valleys. We write brilliant sentences followed by awkward ones. Our energy fluctuates throughout a piece.

AI maintains a consistent level throughout - which sounds good in theory but feels artificial in practice. If every paragraph is equally polished, that's unusual for human writing.

A Quick Test

Try this: read the text out loud. Does it sound like someone talking, or does it sound like a textbook? Human writing, even formal writing, usually retains some conversational quality. AI writing often lacks this natural rhythm.

When in Doubt, Use a Tool

While these signs are helpful, the most reliable method is using an AI detection tool. Is It AI? analyses text patterns using advanced algorithms to provide a confidence score on whether content is AI-generated.

The Bottom Line

No single sign is definitive proof of AI involvement. But when you notice several of these patterns together, there's a good chance AI played a role in creating the content.

The best approach is combining your intuition with a reliable detection tool. Trust your gut when something feels "off," then verify with technology.

Ready to check some text? Try Is It AI? free - paste your text and get results in seconds.