User:Willy on wheels/ai signs

Since using AI to detect AI writing has its shortcomings, here is a list of signs of AI-generated writing. None of these are definitive signs, but are highly indicative in combination. Uncyclopedia is not Wikipedia, so articles may be huffed for having too many AI writing signs, even if they otherwise have no issues. Also, many of Wikipedia's AI signs don't apply here, since AI tends to expose itself in different ways when writing something funny rather than encyclopedic. Similarly, the absence of some of these signs doesn't vindicate writing as not being AI-generated.

In classic Willy on wheels fashion, this will probably remain unfinished.

General

These signs are applicable to AI writing on MediaWiki wikis in general, not just Uncyclopedia.

Title case

AI will tend to capitalize the titles of headers, writing them in title-case instead of the standard sentence-case. This is not too strong of an indicator on its own, since some editors will do this too.

Excessive bolding

AI will often bold words excessively, and sometimes seemingly at random. This is a medium-strength indicator, but may be a stronger indicator if the bolding is at random.

Markdown formatting

Most AIs understand MediaWiki formatting, but will often input Markdown formatting in pages, since it's what they're more familiar with. Inline lists (1. like 2. this 3. example) and italics (*like this*) are not too strong indicators, but less-utilized Markdown formatting like strike-throughs (~~example~~) are stronger indicators.

Faulty syntax

While many Uncyclopedians, especially new Uncyclopedians, will occasionally screw up syntax, AI will often produce garbled code and excessively complex code with repeating errors. This is a very weak indicator and is not present in most AI-generated articles.

Specific lines

AI articles will sometimes have a few specific lines. Inclusion of these lines is a strong indicator of the article being AI-generated. While not all have been discovered, here are some:

• citeturn and iturn: Exclusive to ChatGPT. Appears due to an error in copying text to external sites. As Uncyclopedia doesn't have many external links, this is rare in Uncyclopedia articles.
• &utm_source=chatgpt.com: Another one exclusive to ChatGPT that appears in external links.
• oai_citation: Exclusive to ChatGPT, appears with citations.
• :contentReference Also exclusive to ChatGPT, and appears in citations once more.

JSON formatting

Exclusive to ChatGPT. For unknown reasons, ChatGPT-generated articles may sometimes contain JSON formatting. This is a strong indicator, as JSON formatting is unlikely to be included by a normal user.

Tone

These apply more to the tone used by AI in writing. Some are for general AI-generated writing, while others are exclusive to Uncyclopedia and similar communities.

AI words and phrases

AI loves overusing certain words and phrases. Not all of these indicate AI, but their overuse is a major indicator of it. Many of these are less prevalent in AI-generated Uncyclopedia articles than they are in AI-generated Wikipedia articles. AIs will often alternate between various different synonyms, since most have a weight to avoid repetitive content. Examples:

• align/aligns/aligning
• crucial
• delve/delves/delving (less common post-2024)
• emphasizing
• enduring
• enhance/enhances/enhancing
• fostering
• garner/garners/garnered/garnering
• highlight/highlights/highlighting/highlighted (as a verb)
• interplay
• intricate/intricacies
• pivotal
• showcase/showcases/showcasing/showcased (as a verb)
• tapestry (as an abstract noun)
• underscore/underscores/underscoring/underscored (as a verb)
• testament/reminder
• stands/serves as
• plays a vital/significant/crucial/pivotal role
• underscores/highlights its importance/significance