Artificial Intelligence

Use of AI isn't a problem. Depending on it is.

Yes, I can tell.

It's not the spelling or the grammar. It's the lack of life in the words.

The writing is perfect and smooth, but it is hollow. The sentences are structured, but they don't stick.

That's what happens when people let ChatGPT do all the writing for them.

These are the signs I look for:

1. Why the First Line Gives it Away

If it starts with something like:

"In the modern digital age, content creation is more important than ever…"

I already know. That line could be about anything. It's just filler. Polite, predictable and forgettable because it is not human-written.

Instead,

say something clear and direct. Even a bit rough around the edges. That's what attracts people.

2. Writing Feels Safe

AI avoids any risks. It doesn't make bold claims or take a stand unless you force it to. That's why the writing often feels stuck in neutral — never offending, never surprising.

But good writing should do something. Make you feel it's right. Make you stop and definitely think.

Try this:

write what you mean. If you don't like something, say it. If you believe in something, own it. Readers don't come for balance. They come for the truth.

3. It Says Things Everyone Already Knows

You'll often read these types of lines:

"Consistency is key to building an online presence."

Sure. But who doesn't know that by now?

AI repeats common advice because that's what it's trained to do — summarise what's already out there.

This is what works:

Say something only you would say. Share a simple insight, even a small one. That's more valuable than ten obvious tips.

I noticed that the best-performing stories and thought pieces on Medium often contain less advice and more unique perspectives.

4. It's All Structure but Empty

When a writing feels like a list stuck together by transitions, chances are there it came from AI. It's neat, but it's lifeless. The flow is there, but the energy isn't.

It is better:

Let the writing breathe. Don't worry so much about the format. Focus on saying something real, useful and valuable.

5. Doesn't sound Like Human

If I read the whole story and still don't feel the person behind it — no personality, no tone, no spark — then I know.

AI can copy writing style, but it can't copy presence.

It misses the small things in how we talk. The little pauses. The way someone breaks a sentence in their style or leaves a thought behind the reader's mind.

Let your voice show. Use short sentences. Repeat if you need to. Break rules. Write how you think. That's what feels real.

One Last Thing

ChatGPT is a tool. It's here to help you. Use it to brainstorm. To rewrite and clean things up. But don't let it speak for you.

Now, readers can tell when you're not in your own work. If you're not in it, why should they be?

Say something real. That's what makes it yours.