Why the Em Dash Became a Battleground in the AI Writing Debate

AI Red Flags? The Em Dash Debate

Writers and readers alike have noticed a curious claim circulating on social media: the em dash is a sign of AI-generated writing. But experts say the reality is more nuanced. In fact, the em dash has been a staple of skilled writing for decades, valued for its ability to add rhythm and clarity.

Why the Em Dash Sparks Controversy

Across platforms like Reddit, X, and LinkedIn, some users insist they can spot AI content by the frequent use of em dashes. Comments like “If I see an em dash I’m calling you out” have fueled this idea that AI writing has a distinct punctuation style. But professional writers and journalists push back on this notion. The em dash is a versatile tool used to insert additional context, replace parentheses or commas, and create dramatic effect.

AI Detection Is About Context, Not Punctuation

Educators who work with writing students stress that spotting AI-generated content isn’t about punctuation marks. Instead, it’s about understanding how a writer handles vocabulary and concepts. If a piece includes language or ideas unfamiliar to the class or context, suspicion arises. This approach focuses on the substance and coherence of the writing rather than stylistic clues like em dashes.

The Em Dash’s Growing Popularity

One writing expert points out that the em dash’s reputation as an AI giveaway may stem from its increasing popularity. The mark is elegant, versatile, and visually distinct—its name even comes from being the width of the letter “m.” By contrast, the en dash is slightly shorter and used mainly to indicate ranges in numbers or time.

Is AI Overusing the Em Dash?

Some have speculated that generative AI tools like ChatGPT might rely heavily on em dashes due to their training data. However, the exact details of how these models learned language remain unknown. What’s clear is that AI-generated writing often suffers from monotony. When many use the same AI tools, the output can feel uniform and uninspired, which readers tend to dislike.

Using AI as a Writing Tool, Not a Replacement

Educators encourage writers to treat AI as a collaborator rather than a crutch. Creative collaboration, even with AI, can spark new ideas and directions. The key is that AI should support the process without taking over the core creative work.

However, ethical concerns arise when AI is used without transparency. The 2023 controversy at Sports Illustrated—where AI-written articles were published without disclosure—led to serious repercussions, including leadership changes. Many journalism codes of ethics require disclosure of AI use, as failing to do so risks plagiarism and fabrication.

AI Usage Is Widespread, but Readers Prefer Authenticity

Over half of U.S. adults use AI-driven language models like ChatGPT regularly. ChatGPT itself is now one of the most visited websites globally, with billions of visits each month. Yet, high usage doesn’t translate to high trust. Many readers report disliking AI-generated content because it often feels impersonal and lacks genuine effort.

Rethinking Creativity and AI

Most American workers don’t use AI extensively in their jobs, though younger and more educated groups tend to adopt it more. As AI becomes more integrated into classrooms and workplaces, it raises a fundamental question: if AI does the work for you, what role remains for the human creator? Writers need to reflect on this question to maintain authenticity and originality in their craft.

For writers interested in learning how to integrate AI tools responsibly and effectively, exploring dedicated courses can help build practical skills. Platforms like Complete AI Training offer resources focused on ethical AI use and creative collaboration.