Are We All Writing Like AI Now? The Subtle Erosion of Human Language
Twenty-six. That’s the number of times the distinctly American phrase “I rise to speak” appeared in the U.K. Parliament on a single day in June. A quirk? Perhaps. But it’s a compelling data point suggesting something far more unsettling: we’re not just being influenced by artificial intelligence, we’re starting to write like it. The line between human and machine-generated text is blurring, and the implications for communication, authenticity, and even critical thinking are profound.
The Chatbot Dialect Creeps In
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development first flagged this phenomenon in July, noting a measurable uptick in the use of words like “underscore,” “comprehend,” and “meticulous” among YouTube users following the release of ChatGPT. While correlation doesn’t equal causation, the timing is suggestive. But the shift isn’t just detectable through data analysis anymore. Online communities are feeling the effects directly.
Reddit moderators, particularly those overseeing spaces like r/AmItheAsshole, are battling a surge of posts that feel…off. It’s not simply the usual spam; it’s a lack of genuine human experience. As one moderator, “Cassie,” told Wired, “AI is trained off people, and people copy what they see other people doing.” The result is a feedback loop: AI learns from us, we imitate AI, and the ability to discern authentic human expression diminishes. This isn’t about bots replacing writers; it’s about subtly altering the way we all write.
The Starbucks Sign and the Rise of “Annoying Prose”
Essayist Sam Kriss, writing in the New York Times Magazine, highlights another telling example: the overly elaborate, almost performatively empathetic language appearing in corporate communications. He points to a sign posted at closing Starbucks locations: “It’s your coffeehouse, a place woven into your daily rhythm, where memories were made, and where meaningful connections with our partners grew over the years.” While it’s impossible to definitively prove AI authorship, Kriss argues that the style itself is a product of the “chatbot dialect” – a tendency towards verbose, emotionally-charged, and ultimately hollow phrasing.
This isn’t merely an aesthetic issue. The overuse of certain phrases and sentence structures, popularized by large language models, can subtly erode clarity and critical thought. When language becomes divorced from genuine feeling and specific detail, it loses its power to persuade, inform, and connect.
Beyond Imitation: Cultural Smuggling and the Future of Language
The U.K. Parliament example illustrates a more insidious effect: the unintentional “smuggling” of cultural practices. “I rise to speak,” a common phrase in American legislative discourse, has no natural place in British parliamentary tradition. Its widespread adoption suggests that AI-generated content is not just influencing how we write, but also what we write, potentially leading to a homogenization of language and a loss of cultural nuance.
The Implications for Authenticity and Trust
As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated and indistinguishable from human writing, the concept of authenticity itself is challenged. How can we trust information, opinions, or even personal stories when we can no longer reliably determine their source? This has significant implications for journalism, politics, and interpersonal relationships. The ability to detect AI-generated text is becoming less about identifying specific patterns and more about a nebulous “vibe,” as Reddit moderators have discovered – a deeply unsettling prospect.
What Can Be Done?
Combating this trend isn’t about banning AI; it’s about cultivating a heightened awareness of its influence. We need to actively resist the temptation to adopt the bland, formulaic language of chatbots. This means prioritizing clarity, conciseness, and genuine expression in our own writing. It also means developing critical thinking skills to discern authenticity in the content we consume. Educational initiatives focused on media literacy and the responsible use of AI will be crucial.
The subtle erosion of human language is a slow-moving crisis, but it’s one we must address. The future of communication – and perhaps even thought itself – depends on our ability to preserve the unique qualities of human expression. What steps will you take to ensure your voice remains authentically your own?
