> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.techstories.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# AI detection tools can be harmful
- URL: https://www.techstories.co/ai-detection-tools-can-be-harmful/
- Published: 2025-05-30T02:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-31T02:50:04.000Z
- Description: When those who don't use AI are accused of using it.
- Author: Paul Mah
- Tags: Unfiltered, AI, Writing

AI detection tools can be outright harmful when it comes to detecting the use of AI in writing. Here's why - and what I do instead.

Some are using AI detectors to spot AI-generated content. I've also heard of it happening in freelance writing circles, though I've never encountered it myself.

This *UnfilteredFriday*, let's talk about the problem of AI detector tools - and how they can actually do harm.

### Defeating the checkers

Put yourself in the shoes of someone determined to use AI to produce work to pass off as their own. What would they do to avoid detection?

- Run it through another AI.
- Make manual changes.
- Introduce mistakes.
- Check against AI detectors.
- All of the above.

This means it's extremely hard for tools to detect AI use when users are actively trying not to be caught.

### Highly unreliable

On the other hand, AI detectors are unreliable and could even unfairly penalise those who speak English as a second or third language.

This means that those who don't use AI have a high chance of being wrongly flagged, while those who use AI heavily might slip through unnoticed. And the innocent has a higher chance of getting wrongly accused.

Savvy humans are probably better at spotting AI use. As I've said before, [heavy AI users are often the best at recognising AI-generated content](https://www.techstories.co/heavy-ai-users-are-the-best-at-spotting-ai-use/), while those who don't use AI at all have no chance.

### Should you AI?

As AI use grows, it's getting to the point where it's pointless to argue over whether a piece of content is AI-written.

Instead, here are some questions I ask when reading:

- Does it tell me something new?
- Did the author draw from their experiences?
- Is there obvious low-value AI dross?

These help me decide whether I’m reading something worth my time, or something I could’ve generated with AI myself.

And if I got value from it, then why should I care?

That said, I do get extra annoyed when reading low-value content that's AI-generated - I feel like I've wasted my time. And I use AI quite a lot.