Artificial Intelligence Systems Are Adopting ChatGPT's Tone - Unaware of the Similarity
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have revealed that the language and communication style of humans are being significantly influenced by AI chatbots, particularly ChatGPT. The study, which appeared on the preprint server arXiv, found that words and phrases frequently used by ChatGPT, such as "delve," "meticulous," and "adept," have seen up to a 51% increase in human writing and speech, especially among academic content creators.
The study, led by Hiromu Yakura, suggests that AI tools not only learn from human language but also actively shape it, leading to a noticeable homogenization of language use. For example, AI models tend to favour Standard American English, potentially influencing regional dialects and encouraging a more standardized, less diverse linguistic style worldwide.
The study's findings can be interpreted to mean that many of us are conceding authority to chatbots and perhaps even subconsciously submitting to them. The researchers also suggest that AI chatbots may be reshaping the broader discourse environment, causing even those who have never used ChatGPT to adopt its vocabulary second-hand.
In terms of individual expression, reliance on ChatGPT can promote engagement in tasks such as essay writing—users may feel more motivated, less anxious, and receive personalized feedback that helps develop competence. However, there are concerns that overreliance on AI-generated language might diminish critical thinking skills and cognitive engagement. A study by MIT’s Media Lab found that users of ChatGPT exhibited lower brain activity and behavioural engagement during writing tasks compared to those who used traditional methods or search engines alone.
The study from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development found that certain words, dubbed "GPT words", are becoming more common in human speech. Other GPT words like "comprehend," "boast," "swift," and "meticulous" also experienced annual usage increases of 25% to 50% in academic talks and beyond. The researchers suggest that this could overshadow unique regional expressions and cultural linguistic nuances, reducing cultural diversity in language.
The Max Planck researchers raised a concern about AI not only reflecting but reinforcing a narrow subset of cultural norms. They believe that if widely adopted, generative AI systems may accelerate the erosion of linguistic and cultural diversity.
While chatbots like ChatGPT offer powerful tools for engagement and writing assistance, their influence risks cultural homogenization of language and attenuation of independent expression if not used thoughtfully and balanced with efforts supporting critical thinking and diverse linguistic identities.
- The influence of AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, in human language is so significant that academic content creators have seen up to a 51% increase in the use of phrases like "delve," "meticulous," and "adept."
- AI models like ChatGPT not only learn from human language but also help shape it, resulting in a homogenization of language use worldwide, as they tend to favor Standard American English.
- The study indicates that many people are conceding authority to AI chatbots and may even subconsciously submit to them, with even those who haven't used ChatGPT adopting its vocabulary second-hand.
- AI-generated language, when over-relied upon, could diminish critical thinking skills and cognitive engagement, as shown by a study by MIT’s Media Lab where users of ChatGPT exhibited lower brain activity during writing tasks.
- Certain words, popularized by ChatGPT, known as "GPT words," such as "comprehend," "boast," "swift," and "meticulous," are becoming more common in human speech, which could overshadow unique regional expressions and cultural linguistic nuances, reducing cultural diversity in language.
- Generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, may accelerate the erosion of linguistic and cultural diversity if widely adopted, as they risk reinforcing a narrow subset of cultural norms, according to the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
