An AI Paradox: AI Dissecting Its Own Creations

Have you noticed this latest trend in the AI bonanza? People are now using AI to discredit AI, all while trying to profit from it. I’m talking about so-called “AI content detectors.”

The idea behind these tools is that social media content is becoming so automated that most posts aren’t even written by humans anymore. To stand out, the thinking goes, you need to create content that won’t be flagged by these so-called AI detectors as AI-generated. Enter AI agents that claim to detect AI-written content and “humanize” it to sound more natural.

Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to run some tests. Some of these AI detectors offer free features where you can paste or upload text, and after a few minutes, they’ll tell you if the text was AI-generated.

First, I looked at popular posts on X (the one we knew as Twitter). Around 7 out of 10 posts were flagged as over 95% AI-generated. Then, I checked out longer pieces—book reviews from prominent Goodreads and Amazon book reviewers. Almost all were flagged as 96% to 98% AI-generated.

This didn’t seem right to me. Could it really be true?

So, I conducted an acid test: I wrote a piece of text myself, without any AI assistance, and submitted it to the same AI detector.

And guess what? The detector claimed my original text was 97% AI-generated! What a joke!

(Here’s a screenshot of that session, with any identifying details of the company blurred out for privacy.)

There you have it. I’m not saying we should completely dismiss these tools, but here’s what I really think: If using AI helps me deliver quality results quickly and exceed my KPIs, frees me from routine tasks, and gives me more time for high-value goals and personal and family life, I’m not going to let these so-called experts distract me or make money off of me.

So… should I start worrying that my friends might begin to doubt my writing (hopefully not my verbal communication!) because it turns out I’m only 3% human and 97% AI?

ROFL.

But, jokes aside, this is part of a technology that is reshaping so much of what we do—things that affect our productivity, our knowledge, and our future. It’s still in its early stages, and it’s going to be with us for the foreseeable future.

So, how should we deal with this? Here are a few practical tips:

1. Focus on Quality Over Detection: Prioritize creating valuable, engaging, and authentic content that resonates with your audience. Genuine content will naturally stand out.
2. Use AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch: AI can be a great assistant, but don’t rely on it for everything. Put at the core your own creativity and personal touch to keep your content unique.
3. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest developments in AI tools and detectors. Being informed will help you understand the limitations and opportunities of these technologies.
4. Test and Learn with Real Feedback: Experiment with using AI to enhance your content, but always seek feedback from your actual audience. Pay attention to what resonates with them and refine your approach based on their responses.
5. Don’t Get Distracted by the Hype: Remember, not all tools are as effective as they claim. Stay focused on your goals and don’t let the noise distract you from what really matters.
6. Feedback from People, Not AI, Matters More: At the end of the day, our ultimate audience is people. It's their needs we fulfill and their emotions, values, and cultural sensitivities we need to consider in our interactions.

Let me know what you think.