How to easily spot a ChatGPT fraud — and circumvent the tell-tell signs

In this article I will be discussing how to spot a ChatGPT written article. For the authors out there, I will also give few tips and…

In this article I will be discussing how to spot a ChatGPT written article. For the authors out there, I will also give few tips and tricks how to write articles using LLMs without being too obvious.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now writing articles. The articles or content (word content is slowly becoming a pejorative) are so bad that if you know what to look for, you can find them extremely easily.

First sign

Usually the articles are so bland and shallow they don’t provide any additional information. I will give you two examples, but you don’t have to read them as they are literally waste of your time. I just want to showcase what may be awaiting us everywhere in the near future.

This article from analyticsinsight is clearly just copy-pasted output of ChatGPT.

And an output (this IS THE content) of mine.

User:
Please write an article on why people should be using AI tools

GPT 3.5 answer:

Title: Embracing AI Tools: The Smart Choice for a Modern World

Introduction

In today's fast-paced, data-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful force that is transforming industries, revolutionizing processes, and enhancing our daily lives. AI tools, which encompass a wide range of applications and capabilities, are becoming increasingly indispensable. This article explores the compelling reasons why people should embrace AI tools in various aspects of their lives.

1. Efficiency and Productivity
One of the most significant advantages of AI tools is their ability to boost efficiency and productivity. These tools can automate repetitive tasks, analyze data at lightning speed, and perform complex calculations with unparalleled accuracy. In the workplace, AI-powered software can streamline workflows, reducing human errors and allowing employees to focus on more creative and strategic tasks. Whether you're managing a business, working in healthcare, or conducting scientific research, AI can significantly enhance your output and productivity.

2. Data Analysis and Insights
Data is the lifeblood of the modern world, and AI is the key to unlocking its potential. AI tools excel at processing and analyzing vast datasets, extracting valuable insights, and making predictions based on patterns and trends. Businesses can use AI-driven analytics to understand customer behavior, optimize marketing strategies, and make data-informed decisions. In healthcare, AI can analyze medical records to diagnose diseases, predict patient outcomes, and even assist in drug discovery. The ability to harness data effectively is a compelling reason to integrate AI into your processes.

3. Personalization and User Experience
AI tools have transformed how businesses engage with their customers. They enable hyper-personalization, tailoring products, services, and content to individual preferences. Recommendation algorithms on platforms like Netflix and Amazon use AI to suggest movies or products based on your past choices. Chatbots and virtual assistants provide personalized customer support 24/7. In essence, AI helps create seamless and customized experiences, making our interactions with technology and businesses more enjoyable and efficient.

4. Healthcare and Diagnosis
AI has made significant strides in the healthcare industry, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Machine learning algorithms can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, to detect abnormalities and assist radiologists in their diagnoses. AI-driven electronic health records help healthcare providers access and share patient information securely, leading to more informed decisions. Telemedicine platforms, powered by AI, have expanded access to medical care, especially in remote areas. The potential to save lives and improve healthcare outcomes is a compelling reason to embrace AI in the medical field.

5. Environmental Sustainability
Addressing environmental challenges is a global priority, and AI tools are playing a crucial role in this endeavor. AI can optimize energy consumption in buildings, improve traffic management to reduce emissions, and predict natural disasters more accurately. In agriculture, AI-driven precision farming techniques enhance crop yields while minimizing resource use. AI can help us make smarter, more sustainable choices and mitigate the impact of climate change.

6. Accessibility and Inclusivity
AI tools have the potential to make the world more accessible and inclusive. Speech recognition and natural language processing technologies enable voice assistants to assist individuals with disabilities, making technology more accessible to all. AI-powered translation services break down language barriers, fostering global communication and collaboration. These advancements have the power to level the playing field and create a more inclusive society.

7. Innovation and Creativity
AI is not just about automation and optimization; it's also a catalyst for innovation and creativity. AI-powered tools can generate art, music, and literature. They can assist researchers in finding novel solutions to complex problems by exploring vast datasets and proposing new hypotheses. Businesses can use AI to generate innovative product designs and optimize supply chains. Embracing AI tools can open up new horizons for creativity and innovation.

Conclusion

The adoption of AI tools is no longer a matter of choice but a necessity in our increasingly complex and interconnected world. From boosting efficiency and productivity to transforming healthcare, improving user experiences, and fostering sustainability, AI has the potential to reshape industries and enhance our lives in countless ways. Embracing AI tools is not just a smart choice; it's an essential step toward a more efficient, informed, and inclusive future. So, why wait? Start exploring the world of AI today and unlock its myriad benefits.

Second sign

Very short articles, usually divided into very small subsections — about 5 to 8 seams to be the sweet spot. And they always have a section called Conclusion.

You can see that the first article has 5 points and the second, my output, has 8 points.

Third sign

The articles seem to always have a positive ending. Even about dark topics. I am not sure where this is coming from, but I think this is probably due to OpenAI’s preprompting efforts. The preprompting is a technique which is used to sort of prime or prepare the chatbot. In the preprompting section behind the scenes, which a user cannot see, there are such instructions as “don’t swear”, “avoid negative emotions”, “be polite” and so on.

This can be clearly seen in my article A multiperson simulation using LLMs. Clearly, the topic is dark:

User request:
...
About chaos from which the consciousness was born eons ago and about chaos, that will devour everything eons in the future.
...

GPT4:
...
They remind us that our time in this labyrinth of existence is fleeting, that we should cherish each moment, each encounter, each experience, for they are but brief flashes of order in an otherwise chaotic universe.
...

So even in this dark topic we still are getting kind of positive conclusion. Lovecraft wouldn’t be pleased, that much I can tell you.

Fourth sign

The wording. This is perhaps the most telling sign of them all. Words and phrases like:

fostering, revolutionize, revolution, embracing, unlock the potential, deep dive, has the potential to, discover groundbreaking, delve deep…

These non-telling bombastic sounding words and phrases bundled up in few lines of “content” are something which you can use to be 100% sure that the text was written by our friendly local ChatGPT.

My example in the first sign section contains “Embracing” right as the first word

However, I am guilty of that too. In my article Technological Singularity: We Are in the Endgame you can clearly see that most of it was written by ChatGPT. For example:

… As we delve deeper into the world of artificial intelligence …

How to use ChatGPT creatively, not deceptively

The solution is pretty easy, unfortunately. You have to have your thoughts and ideas (I know, I know…). We just cannot outsource thinking to an LLM. Because if it were so (and that might happen in the near future), there is no more use for our brains, right?

But let me give you a few pointers how I personally use GPT for writing articles.

1.

Have an interesting idea — ideally with some real world experience and facts.

2.

It is very helpful if you already have some content which was written by you in the past without any help from GPT.

3.

Start writing the article.

4.

Now comes the interesting part.

If you get creatively stuck, or you are not sure how to continue with your article, copy-paste your previous article into the GPT’s chat so it can use your style of writing (or use Webpilot plugin if the article is published somewhere):

User:
This is one of my articles, I want you to use this style of writing:
... your article ...
------

Then copy-paste in the whole article you are writing right now:

User:
This is an article that I am writing right now:
... your current article ...
---
=> please give me 3 different possible continuations of the article

Using the output you can then choose what may suit you best. But remember! ChatGPT will still sometimes try to use the bombastic words from Fourth sign so check for them.

I use this technique for inspiration, I don’t usually copy-paste the whole section.

5.

Alternatively, if you don’t have good enough articles from the past that represent your style, you can use the ACT keyword from The Art of Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT article for simulating a style.

User:
... your current article ...
---
=> ACT as Stephen King and G.B. Shaw in one person. Using this style, please give me 3 different possible continuations of the article 

Conclusion

Although OpenAI isn’t able to spot what was written by ChatGPT, apparently the human brain is smart enough to do so. So use this knowledge to your advantage and don’t get fooled. I am looking at you, news editors.