A Comprehensive Guide on the Acceptable Use of AI in Writing

For anyone utilizing generative AI in their writing process, recent developments signal restrictive changes. Many publishers, websites, and self-publishing platforms are increasingly setting limitations on submissions created by AI. This article serves as a beacon for understanding where generative AI can and cannot be employed in professional writing contexts.

Restrictions on AI-Generated Writing

The fundamental takeaway for writers is that most editors, academic institutions, and businesses are moving away from accepting AI-generated content that lacks depth and human touch. It’s prudent for professional writers, academics, and students to refrain from relying on AI tools when submitting final works.

Here’s a look at areas where the use of AI is discouraged or outright prohibited:

1. Academic, Research, and Scientific Writing

Though a blanket ban on AI isn’t universally applied across academic publishers, many enforce stringent transparency policies, rendering AI-generated work virtually unacceptable. Publishers such as SAGE focus primarily on the disclosure of AI contributions, while others, like the Science family of journals (under AAAS), entirely forbid the use of generative AI. Notably, AI systems cannot be recognized as co-authors.

AI-generated content mandatory disclosure mentioned in SAGE publication guidelines.

To maintain content quality, academic publishers often deploy human peer reviewers who scrutinize work for signs of overly polished content, mechanical writing, and absent personal narratives.

Tools designed for plagiarism detection, such as Copyleaks, Proofig, and iThenticate, are increasingly sophisticated in their ability to discern AI-generated texts, given that AI models often struggle to replicate human-like context in writing.

2. Newspapers, Online Publications, and Media Outlets

Initially, some media outlets experimented with AI tools such as ChatGPT, sparking allegations from bloggers on platforms like Reddit regarding the perceived use of AI in entire articles. As time has progressed, many have doubled down on restricting undisclosed AI submissions, with self-publishing platforms like Medium and Amazon outright banning the monetization of AI-generated content.

Contrasting with academic journals that focus on original research, most newspapers and magazines prioritize well-crafted, original writing. Editorial teams play a critical role in ensuring adherence to journalistic standards, which often includes spotting “AI-like” writing patterns—such as excessive use of em dashes or redundant phrasing.

Many leading publications now utilize tools like Originality, known for its ability to identify AI characteristics, though its effectiveness may require analyzing numerous samples of text.

3. Workplace Communications

The acceptance of AI writing tools within corporate environments varies by organization, but generally, reliance on AI for essential communications—like emails or newsletters—can be misguided. Instances of AI-generated messages may often obscure clarity and professionalism, leading to situations where the content is more humorous than serious, as illustrated here:

A verbose ChatGPT-inspired business email.

Permissible Uses of AI in Writing

While there are strict boundaries in professional writing, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude have beneficial applications in research assistance and brainstorming. Their effectiveness lies particularly in non-professional contexts where innovation and creativity are key.

Here are some areas where AI writing is not only permitted but can be advantageous:

Across platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and others, AI content is prevalent and often accepted. The fast-paced nature of these platforms allows users to share AI-generated content without raising significant concerns, as audiences typically engage rapidly and superficially.

However, one should be wary of influencers overstating the capabilities of AI-generated writing. For instance, misquoting notable figures like Elon Musk can distort the authenticity of AI’s writing efficacy.

A LinkedIn post glorifying AI usage in writing and equating it to human written work.

In social media, disclosing the use of AI, especially with multimedia content, demonstrates transparency and respect for your audience. Misleading representations can damage perceived authenticity.

2. E-commerce Product Descriptions

For e-commerce businesses—be it on Amazon or personal websites—AI can be effectively utilized to craft SEO-rich product descriptions. There are no existing restrictions in this domain, and such applications do not necessitate an AI disclosure.

A possible example of AI writing in an Amazon product description.

Similarly, using AI for personal branding, job search responses, or even AI-powered interviews is becoming commonplace in the recruiting landscape.

3. Translation Services

AI tools have revolutionized content translation by enhancing accuracy across various languages. Previously challenging translation tasks can now be accomplished through prompt-driven AI, yielding colloquially correct results—this usage is widely accepted in writing practices.

Essential Guidelines for AI in Writing

Personally, I advocate for limited use of AI tools, reserving them solely for research, as they can detract from my writing quality. Writers are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines outlined here to maintain the integrity of their work.

Historically, prompt-based AI writing went mostly undocumented. However, the ramifications of submitting AI-generated work as one’s own can lead to embarrassment, damage to reputation, and even expulsion from platforms.

Moreover, a recent statement from Google’s John Mueller highlighted that AI-generated web pages will rank significantly lower than high-quality human content, leading many websites to take proactive measures to avoid impending penalties. As a writer, it’s essential to stay informed amid these evolving standards.

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A Comprehensive Guide on the Acceptable Use of AI in Writing

Restrictions on AI-Generated Writing

1. Academic, Research, and Scientific Writing