Tech Friday: Should students do their work with or without AI?
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2025
Last month I had a discussion with a friend and we debated how much of what we read on the internet these days is being created by … or at least assisted by … artificial intelligence. It was more concerning to 
him since his children are old enough to be regular users of AI (unlike most older adults). Without question, students are quicker to accept, adapt and to use chatbots now that they are part of everyday life.
Although neither of us are currently teaching, both of us have it in our background. I am of the opinion that educators need to teach students how to “use” AI … much as previous generations needed to know how to use computers. Tools assist us and the proficiency will be imperative for future success. He took the position that critical thinking and ability to communicate without the aid of artificial intelligence requires working without help. I’m not sure 
either of us are convinced that our point of view was correct.
So … I decided to use Duck.AI to see if there was a way to know when humans were being assisted? This is also test post to see if my personal automator app that would convert an “Apple Note to HTML” for blog inclusion. It works!
Identifying AI Assistance in Writing
Key Indicators of AI-Generated Content
- Repetitive Language: AI often uses the same phrases or synonyms, leading to a lack of variety in word choice.
- Overuse of Specific Words: Certain words like “comprehensive,” “pivotal,” and “cutting-edge” appear more frequently in AI-generated texts.
- Generic Tone: AI writing may have a polite, formulaic tone lacking personal insight or depth.
- Perfect Grammar: While human writers may make intentional errors, AI-generated content typically has flawless grammar.
Technical Clues
- Unusual Sentence Structure: AI can produce overly complex or awkward sentences that may not flow naturally.
- Lack of Contextual Understanding: AI may misinterpret or fail to grasp the larger context, leading to inaccuracies or irrelevant details.
- Absence of Citations: AI-generated texts may include unreliable or improperly formatted citations.
Manual Detection Methods
- Compare Writing Styles: Check for significant deviations from a known writing style. A sudden change may indicate AI assistance.
- Quizzing on Content: Ask the author to explain their work. Inability to discuss their own writing may suggest it was not authored by them.
- Version History in Documents: Use tools like Google Docs to track writing changes. This can reveal if content was pasted in bulk rather than written gradually.
By observing these indicators and employing manual checks, you can better determine if AI has played a role in the creation of a document.
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