The Only 7 Signs of AI Writing You Need to Remove in Your Text

Note: This was originally published as a guest post to Sorab Gaswalla’s newsletter, All About Content … And AI.

AI-generated content is fast. But it often feels robotic. Lifeless.

Readers can tell. Editors can tell. Even AI detectors, faulty as they can be, can tell (at least, sometimes).

It’s because AI lacks that human spark.

The emotions, the experiences — that nameless way that they bleed into our words. They’re all missing in lazy, completely-AI text. This is what creates that conflict: people read low-quality AI content, hate it, and then generalize all “AI text” to be this way.

But there’s a bigger problem: Even if writers are not using AI, they’re being caught in the crossfire.

Some writers are being accused of using AI even when they aren’t! This has led to their content getting rejected from publications, even creating conflict with their editors and bosses.

This sucks, to say the least. And not just that, it can affect their income and reputations as well.

So, whether you’re writing by hand or using AI as a co-pilot, here are the 7 telltale signs of AI-generated writing — and how you can remove them from your content.

1. Repetitive Phrasing and Redundancy

AI tools often love repeating themselves — sometimes word-for-word, sometimes with slight variation. Phrases like “In today’s world,” “With the rise of technology,” or “This article will explore…” show up more often than you'd think.

Fix it: Read your work aloud. If you find yourself saying “wait, didn’t I already say this?” — cut it or rephrase it. Avoid filler intros and strive for concise, direct communication.

2. Generic Language and Lack of Specificity

AI tends to stay safe. You’ll see a lot of broad, vague sentences that could apply to almost anything. For instance, “Businesses must adapt to change to stay competitive.”

Fix it: Inject detail. Use names, numbers, places, examples. Replace "businesses" with "a small bakery in Manhattan," or add a real case study. Make it your story, not a Wikipedia summary.

3. Overuse of Passive Voice

Passive voice isn’t always wrong — but AI tends to lean on it too much. “The problem was caused by…” instead of “We caused the problem.” It creates distance and lacks accountability.

Fix it: Recast passive sentences into active voice wherever it strengthens clarity. Ask: Who is doing the action?

4. Lack of Personal Perspective

AI rarely says “I.” But you should. Readers crave authenticity. That doesn’t mean turning everything into a personal essay — but when appropriate, owning your voice adds weight.

Fix it: Don’t be afraid to say what you think. Add lived experience. Share your mistakes or wins. That’s what builds a connection.

5. Awkward Transitions or Sudden Jumps

AI-generated content sometimes feels like it was stitched together with no narrative flow — one paragraph ends, and the next starts on a different planet.

Fix it: Read through for flow. Add context or bridging sentences where needed. Use transitions like “But here’s the twist,” or “Now, let’s look at...” to guide the reader smoothly.

6. Fluffy Conclusions

AI loves to end with clichés: “In conclusion, content is king.” No call to action. No insight. Just a soft landing.

Fix it: Make your ending count. Either leave your reader with a striking takeaway, a reflective question, or a next step. End with intent — not because it’s the last paragraph.

7. Emotionless Tone

Even when AI writes “emotional” content, it often feels flat or formulaic. That’s because it mimics emotion — it doesn’t feel it.

Fix it: Tap into your real emotions. Write something that moves you — anger, hope, frustration, joy. Let your tone shift naturally, just like in human conversation.

Final Thoughts

AI is a tool. A powerful one. But it can’t replace your voice, your experience, or your perspective.

The goal isn’t to avoid AI entirely — but to make sure that whether you use it or not, your writing doesn’t feel like it was AI.

Because in the end, it’s not just about dodging detectors — it’s about creating content that connects.

Want to test your content?

Before hitting publish, ask yourself:

Would I talk like this at lunch with a friend?

Is there anything in here that only I could have written?

If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.