German Scientists Warn: Humans Are Starting to Sound Like AI
A research team at Germany's Max Planck Institute for Human Development analyzed over a million academic lectures and podcast episodes. Their findings revealed a clear and sudden increase in the use of words commonly generated by ChatGPT, an AI language model.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT are trained using vast amounts of online data, including expert knowledge from leading researchers. Interestingly, this study suggests that humans—especially university lecturers—might be adopting AI-driven language patterns, perhaps without realizing it.
AI Influences Spoken Language
The researchers examined 360,000 YouTube shows and more than twice as many podcasts. Since ChatGPT's launch in 2022, speakers increasingly use words favored by the chatbot, such as "get it," "brag," and "abruptly."
This linguistic shift extends beyond formal academic speech. It appears in everyday conversation and business communication as well. The team points out that this trend could threaten linguistic and cultural diversity if it continues unchecked.
Evidence from Scientific Publications
Supporting these findings, a study published in Science Advances analyzed medical research papers from 2010 to 2024. It showed a sudden rise in certain buzzwords after AI tools became widely available.
Additionally, research from the University of Tübingen found that at least 13.5% of biomedical papers last year exhibited characteristics of large language model (LLM) processing.
Implications for Science and Research Professionals
- Language patterns influenced by AI may subtly shape how experts communicate their ideas.
- Awareness of AI’s impact on language can help maintain clarity and originality in research communication.
- Monitoring these shifts is crucial to preserving linguistic diversity within scientific discourse.
For professionals interested in understanding AI’s broader effects and how to adapt, exploring specialized AI training resources can be valuable. Courses focused on AI language models and their application in research are available at Complete AI Training.
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