Speak Softly and Leave the Stick

As all of us are aware, AI-generated content is a massive thorn in the heels of genuine authors and web platforms alike. It's posted on social media sites, blogs, and even printed media. One of our Vocal members, Judey Kalchik, has done a ton of legwork on this issue (and many others) and has already given plenty of tips on how to detect it. You can find her articles on it here. For now, I'd like to focus on what we should do when we think we've spotted AI being used.

AI-generated content has made it increasingly difficult for authors like you and me to be seen, and in some cases, get paid. I get that. We all do. However, in our struggle to recognize, detect, and report AI, some of us have decided to attempt to punish those who use it. Personally, I don't think that's moral, even if we feel like not enough is being done to combat its usage.

Don't get me wrong: I believe it's okay to gently tell anyone you feel like their content may be using unattributed AI content. It's ok to skip that and go straight to reporting it, too. The problem is when we take it further and relentlessly comment on another author's stories or argue with the author. We are not the AI police. We are not degree-holding experts at detecting AI. Presumably, Vocal Media has those experts, and I am fine allowing them to determine whether or not a reported story/poem is using AI.

Let's take a look at an excerpt from my story, A Murder in Time.

Several people dressed in Halloween costumes share the college dormitory space with him. A complicating factor, but the dim light in the room makes him feel confident in his chances of success. Half of them dance to Bachata. Others, like himself, stand around watching the dancers like silent sentinels or sit on couches chatting with others and holding red plastic cups in their hands. His fingers tap idly against his thigh, keeping pace with the music.

I ran this text through an AI detector, and wouldn't you know it? Some of this text appears to be "most likely generated by AI." Someone better report me!

Now, on a serious note, I can promise you I have never, ever used AI to generate any words that I write. Yet, if you were relying solely on a detector, my work would be questioned, and I could possibly be disqualified.

The issue with using AI detectors is that they are, in fact, checked by AI. Imagine you believe a police department is guilty of hiding abuses of power. They investigate themselves and tell you, "We found we didn't do anything wrong." Would you blindly trust that conclusion? I know I wouldn't. AI is worse. It is highly inconsistent and often entirely inaccurate, and should therefore never be used as the sole basis for AI detection, period.

So, what should you do when you suspect an author of using AI to generate content? As a fellow writer, I believe our primary objectives should always be to help each other become better writers. If I suspect a writer of using AI, I might offer some constructive feedback, but I will never be accusatory. That's not my job - it's Vocal's. Even with accounts we're all sure post nothing but AI-generated content, I only report - because what if I'm wrong? I want to encourage genuine writers to be their authentic selves, not crush their creative spirits.

At most, remind the user of Vocal's policies on unattributed AI usage or point them to Judey's fabulous articles. Offer to help. But if a writer denies using AI, that should be the end of your interaction with them. End of story. Arguing with a writer helps no one.

If you take anything from this writing, then let it be this final piece of advice: No one is perfect, so whenever possible, be kind to one another. Thanks for reading!