Can AI detect AI-written text?
Not reliably. Detectors have high false-positive rates on natural human writing and are easily fooled by light editing.
Answer curated and reviewed byMark Barclay
Key takeaways
- Not reliably.
- Detectors have high false-positive rates on natural human writing and are easily fooled by light editing.
AI-detection tools measure statistical patterns (predictability, sentence length, word choice). Well-written human text — especially by non-native speakers or careful writers — often trips them.
Practical takeaway: do not use AI detectors to accuse anyone of cheating, and do not trust "0% AI" as a guarantee of quality either.