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Editing AI-Produced Content

While AI can be useful in creating drafts, it requires careful human oversight and refinement to ensure accuracy, originality, and a human touch. AI-generated content can sound mechanical or overly formal, making it evident that it was produced by a machine rather than a human. To maintain the quality and authenticity of course materials, it’s important to edit AI-produced text to ensure it flows naturally and engages students. Use the Voice section of this guide as a starting point and use these strategies to refine AI-generated content:

Eliminate Overly Formal or Stiff Language

AI often uses formal or academic phrasing that can sound distant or robotic. To create a more approachable tone, replace overly formal language with more conversational, engaging wording.

Example (AI-generated):

“It is of paramount importance that individuals engage in collaborative efforts to achieve success.”

Revised:

“Working together is key to achieving success.”

Adjust for Conciseness and Clarity

AI tends to be wordy, sometimes over-explaining or adding unnecessary qualifiers. AI’s tendency to stack adjectives can create a mechanical, rhythmic effect. Editing for brevity without losing meaning can help make the content more direct and student friendly.

Example (AI-generated):

“The small, cramped, musty room made it difficult for the tired, overworked, emotionally-drained nurse to concentrate.”

Revised:

“The exhausted nurse struggled to concentrate in the stuffy room.”

Inject Personality and Tone

AI-generated content often lacks warmth or personality . It usually avoids personal anecdotes or insights which can humanize the text. Infuse a conversational tone and occasionally use phrases that are more relatable and direct.

Example (AI-generated):

“The analysis should be based on the given data and should include an examination of all relevant variables.”

Revised:

“Look at the data closely, and consider all the factors that might affect your analysis.”

Remove Overuse of Clichés or Generic Phrases

AI sometimes uses stock phrases or overly familiar expressions that can feel impersonal. Replace these with more specific and original language.

Example (AI-generated):

“In today’s fast-paced world, organizations must leverage cutting-edge strategies to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing business landscape.”

Revised:

“Organizations must adopt forward-thinking strategies to stay competitive.”

Check for Smooth Transitions

AI can struggle with smooth transitions between ideas, making content feel disjointed. Excessive use of words like “thus,” “therefore,” or “moreover” can indicate AI-generated text. Ensure ideas flow logically and naturally, using appropriate transition words or phrases.

Additional Red Flags for AI-Generated Content

  • Overuse of the em dash (—)
  • Overuse of bolded words
  • Factual errors or outdated information
  • Broken links
  • Sentences or paragraphs of similar lengths throughout the text
  • Lack of nuance and depth necessary to help students grasp subtle or complex concepts
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