Wikipedia’s New Guide Exposes the Telltale Signs of AI Writing

Want to Get Better at Spotting AI Writing? Start With Wikipedia’s New List

Have you ever read an article or social media post and thought, “This is terrible! I bet it was written by AI”? Most people recognize bad AI writing when they see it, but pinpointing exactly why it feels off is surprisingly tricky.

Wikipedia’s editor team has released a valuable resource that highlights the common pitfalls of AI-generated prose. Called Signs of AI Writing, this list exposes the clichés, awkward phrasing, overly formal or obsequious tones, and other quirks typical of AI content.

For writers, this resource serves two main purposes: improving your ability to spot AI-written text and learning how to make your own AI-assisted writing sound more natural and engaging.

Why Wikipedia?

As one of the internet’s most trusted information sources, Wikipedia faces unique challenges with AI-generated content. Large language models (LLMs) often produce confident-sounding text on obscure or niche topics without truly understanding them.

Wikipedia covers a vast range of subjects—from the ash content of Morbier cheese to the detailed personal history of celebrities like Justin Bieber. This breadth makes it a prime target for AI-generated edits and additions, which sometimes introduce errors or awkward phrasing.

What Makes AI Writing Stand Out?

• Repetitive or overly formal language: AI often falls back on generic, formulaic sentences that lack personality.
• Unnatural tone: The writing can sound too polite, robotic, or obsequious, missing human nuance.
• Inconsistent details: AI may confidently present information that is vague, incorrect, or irrelevant.
• Odd phrasing or clichés: Reused phrases and awkward constructions are common giveaways.

By reviewing Wikipedia’s list, writers can sharpen their senses to these telltale signs and improve both their editing skills and the quality of AI-assisted content.

How Writers Can Use This

If you create content using AI tools, studying these patterns helps you avoid common mistakes that make AI writing obvious and off-putting. Adjusting tone, adding original thought, and carefully fact-checking can turn robotic text into compelling copy.

For editors and content reviewers, this knowledge is key to maintaining quality and credibility, especially on platforms vulnerable to AI-generated noise.

To explore more about AI content creation and improve your skills, check out Complete AI Training’s latest courses. They provide practical guidance on using AI tools effectively without losing your unique voice.