AI-Generated vs. Human-Written Text: Technical Analysis

As AI evolves, it becomes challenging to distinguish between its content and human-created work. But how do they truly compare technically and non-technically?

Join us on this journey where we explore these aspects and more, offering new perspectives on the interaction between humans and AI.

AI-Generated vs. Human-Written Text: Technical Analysis

Before comparing both, it’s good to know a bit about the Perplexity & Burstiness of a text. These are the two most important factors when comparing AI generated vs human-written text.

Perplexity

Perplexity is a metric used to evaluate the performance of language models in predicting the next word in a sequence of words. It measures how well the model can estimate the likelihood of a word occurring based on the previous context.

A lower perplexity score indicates better predictability and understanding of the language, while a higher perplexity score suggests a higher degree of uncertainty and less accurate predictions.

The human mind is so complex compared to current AI models that human-written text has high perplexity compared to AI-generated text.

Examples:

High Perplexity:

"Every second on the clock erupted into a cascade of paradoxical moments, each a universe unto itself. The teapot sang an opera of hot, swirling tea, every steamy note a symphony of flavor."

Low Perplexity:

"The clock ticked steadily, marking the seconds. I poured hot water into the teapot, and a soothing aroma filled the room."

Burstiness

Burstiness refers to the variation in the length and structure of sentences within a piece of content. It measures the degree of diversity and unpredictability in the arrangement of sentences.

Human writing often exhibits bursts and lulls, with a mix of long and short sentences, while AI-generated content tends to have a more uniform and regular pattern.

Higher burstiness indicates greater creativity, spontaneity, and engagement in writing, whereas lower burstiness reflects a more robotic and monotonous style.

Just like the perplexity score, human written content usually has a high burstiness score

Examples:

High Burstiness:

"The alarm blared. Feet hit the floor. The tea kettle whistled. Steam billowed. Heart pounded. The world, awake."

Low Burstiness:

"In the peaceful morning, the alarm clock's soft hum ushered in a new day. I padded to the kitchen, my steps light and unhurried. The tea kettle whistled its gentle song, a comforting melody that harmonized with the steam's soft whisper."

Examples of Both

Here, I wrote a passage on the “Importance of life-long learning in leading a good life” myself and also asked ChatGPT to do the same to compare better AI-Generated and Human-Written Text.

Me

Life can be seen as an unending journey, like the sun that arches daily from dawn to dusk. This constant movement represents lifelong learning, a ceaseless quest for growth and understanding.

Think of a tree. It begins as a tiny seed and grows into a mighty entity, experiencing the cycle of seasons. We should continually learn and adapt to the world's rhythm like a tree.

In life's dance, we're both spectators and participants. Every interaction, every encounter – all are filled with lessons. Like detectives, we uncover these hidden lessons from ordinary life.

Now, consider our era, the age of Artificial Intelligence. Machines are learning and evolving. They mirror us, absorbing the information we provide and imitating our routines.

But true learning goes beyond imitation. It's about exploring the unknown, embracing change, and seeking novelty. At the heart of learning lies curiosity and the quest for the unfamiliar.

Every new day offers opportunities to learn. Each moment is a call to explore, grow, and learn. Lifelong learning is a joy-filled journey, the magic potion that infuses life with vibrancy.

In life's grand spectacle, every sunrise, every bird's song carries a lesson. Lifelong learning is the fuel for a fulfilling life, even amidst the rise of AI.

Learning is an ongoing journey. Like the sun tracing its arc, we should persistently strive for growth, like a tree standing tall.

Life is a storybook, with each day a new page filled with our experiences and learnings. Let's step forward on this adventure with a hunger for learning. Every step enriches our story, serving it with wisdom.

The key to a vibrant life lies within us – in our desire to keep learning and growing, no matter where or who we are.

ChatGPT

In the grand tapestry of human existence, lifelong learning is a pillar of enlightenment and a pathway to a meaningful and good life. Through the pursuit of knowledge, we embark on a transformative journey, expanding our horizons and nourishing our souls. Lifelong learning is not confined to the classroom or formal education; it is a mindset, a relentless thirst for understanding that permeates every aspect of our lives.

By embracing lifelong learning, we open ourselves to many opportunities for growth and self-improvement. It instills a sense of curiosity, enabling us to explore new ideas, perspectives, and cultures. It empowers us to challenge the status quo, to question deeply held beliefs, and to evolve as individuals. Lifelong learning fuels our creativity, enhancing our capacity to innovate and adapt to the ever-changing world.

In the age of artificial intelligence, lifelong learning takes on even greater significance. As machines continue to augment our capabilities and redefine the nature of work, our learning ability becomes a vital asset. Lifelong learning equips us with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the digital age, harness the power of technology, and shape its development in ways that align with our values.

Moreover, lifelong learning protects against the perils of complacency and stagnation. It cultivates resilience, enabling us to face adversity with courage and adaptability. In a rapidly evolving world, where knowledge becomes obsolete at an accelerating pace, lifelong learning ensures our relevance and empowers us to contribute meaningfully to society.

In essence, lifelong learning is not merely a means to an end, but a lifelong companion, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment. Through this unwavering commitment to learning, we unlock our minds' true potential and embark on a path to lead a meaningful and good life.

Technical Differences

There are various tools such as AI Content Detector that provide Perplexity and Burstiness scores for a given text.

This is the result of the passage I wrote.

And this is of the passage generated by ChatGPT.

From this, we can conclude that while it’s easy to fool various AI Content Detector tools about AI-generated text not being AI, Perplexity & Burstiness, says it all.

AI-Generated vs. Human Written Text: Non-Technical Differences

Inclusion of anecdotes, examples, and opinion

Human-generated text possesses a distinct flavor that arises from the writer's opinions and subjective experiences. This uniqueness often makes it engaging and relatable to readers. It reflects the writer's individuality, allowing for diverse perspectives and insights.

Human-written content can captivate readers with anecdotes, personal stories, and real-life examples, which add depth and authenticity to the text.

Conversely, AI-generated text typically lacks these personal touches, making it feel generic and monotonous.

Originality and Unique Ideas

When it comes to originality and unique ideas, human-generated text shines. Human writers can draw from their own first-hand experiences, enabling them to provide fresh perspectives and innovative concepts.

They can infuse their writing with creativity and offer novel insights that AI can't easily replicate. On the other hand, AI-generated text typically relies on patterns and existing data to generate content, resulting in a lack of originality and the production of repetitive text.

Let's consider an example to illustrate the disparities between human-generated and AI-generated text. Take the following snippets from my writing and ChatGPT’s:

Me: "Life can be seen as an unending journey, like the sun that arches daily from dawn to dusk. This constant movement represents lifelong learning, a ceaseless quest for growth and understanding. Think of a tree."

ChatGPT: "In the grand tapestry of human existence, lifelong learning is a pillar of enlightenment and a pathway to a meaningful and good life. Through the pursuit of knowledge, we embark on a transformative journey, expanding our horizons and nourishing our souls."

I used vivid imagery to compare life to the sun's daily journey and introduced the concept of lifelong learning through the metaphor of a tree. The personal touch and creativity in the writing made it captivating and relatable.

Conversely, ChatGPT gave a generalized and abstract explanation of lifelong learning. While it conveyed the essence of the concept, it lacked the vividness and personal touch of mine.

Understanding the Differences

Accuracy and Consistency in AI-Generated Text

AI-generated content shines in accuracy and consistency due to its capacity to process vast data and maintain an unbiased, uniform style.

However, it struggles with 'hallucinations,' generating seemingly accurate but factually wrong content due to its limited understanding. This necessitates ongoing research and user vigilance for trustworthiness.

Human content, on the other hand, offers authenticity and creativity, drawing from personal experiences and emotions.

Although it lacks the mechanical consistency of AI, it exhibits diverse styles and tones, reflecting human dynamism. AI-Generated text excels in standardization, like technical writing, while human content's uniqueness stands out in relatability and engagement.

Creativity and Emotional Appeal in Human Written Text

Human-generated text is like a vibrant painting infused with creativity, emotions, and unique perspectives. It takes readers on an engaging journey, utilizing relatable anecdotes, vivid descriptions, and personal experiences.

Humans generally write in a conversational and friendly tone, making it easily accessible to a broad audience, including professionals and commoners.

AI-generated text, on the other hand, demonstrates accuracy and consistency, offering standardized information and maintaining a uniform tone and style.

While it lacks the creativity and emotional depth of the human-generated text, it excels in processing vast amounts of data, providing factual information, and analyzing trends.

Its target audience includes those who require precise and reliable content, such as SEO specialists and content marketers.

Conclusion

We've delved into a comprehensive comparison of AI-generated vs human-written text, shedding light on perplexity, burstiness, and the differences in creativity, emotions, and factual consistency. If you are an editor or run a blog, you can add AI content detection as a part of your SEO checklist.

If you are using AI to drive engagement, it would be good to consider various factors mentioned above, to make it even more engaging. Are you more inclined towards the human touch or AI consistency? Comment below and share your thoughts.

This is a vast topic, and every perspective adds value. Let's discuss and delve deeper into this fascinating interaction between human creativity and AI efficiency.