In the digital age, artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools are increasingly becoming integral to content creation across various platforms. Substack, a popular newsletter service, has recently been in the spotlight for the use of A.I. by its top authors. As the boundary between human and machine-generated content blurs, understanding the extent and nature of A.I. usage becomes crucial. This article delves into the findings of a study by GPTZero, a tool designed to detect A.I.-generated text, which analyzed Substack’s top authors’ reliance on A.I. and highlights the ongoing discourse surrounding this evolving digital landscape.
Studies from the past have indicated that A.I.-generated content is on the rise on various platforms, with a notable percentage of posts on Medium and newly-created Wikipedia pages flagged for A.I.-generated content. The recent GPTZero report provides a detailed examination of Substack, which hosts numerous well-known writers, some of whom have been identified as using A.I. in their content creation processes. Compared to earlier findings, where A.I. usage was primarily speculative, the current report presents concrete data on specific authors and their A.I. integration levels.
What Role Does A.I. Play in Substack Content?
A.I.’s role in Substack content varies among authors. Of the platform’s top 100 writers, 10 percent were found to incorporate A.I. in their newsletters, according to GPTZero’s analysis. However, the distinction between human and A.I.-generated content was nuanced. The tool identified that for a newsletter to be considered human-written, complete absence of A.I. was not necessary. Authors could still receive a “Certified Human badge” despite having one or two A.I.-generated posts.
How Are Writers Using A.I. Technology?
Writers utilize A.I. technology as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for their creative process. David Skilling, a Substack author focusing on soccer, uses A.I. to assist with research and editing, viewing it as an extension of traditional methods rather than a complete overhaul. Other authors, such as Josh Belanger, rely on A.I. tools like ChatGPT and Claude to expedite research and infuse their writing with additional creativity and flair.
Substack does not prohibit the use of A.I.-generated content, but it does have systems in place to identify spam-related activities. Despite not actively monitoring A.I. origin content, the platform acknowledges the positive applications of A.I. assistance in content creation. According to the company, “We don’t proactively monitor or remove content solely based on its A.I. origins, as there are numerous valid, constructive applications for assisted content creation.”
GPTZero emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding A.I. content without passing judgment on its use. The goal is to raise awareness about A.I.-generated content’s prevalence and address potential unchecked growth. The company stated,
“The purpose of GPTZero’s report isn’t to pass moral condemnation on writers who use A.I., but instead to raise awareness about the prevalence of A.I.-generated content, especially as the amount of A.I. content grows unchecked.”
The increasing use of A.I. in content creation presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it streamlines processes and enhances efficiency for writers. On the other hand, it raises questions about originality, creativity, and the authenticity of writers’ voices. As A.I. continues to evolve, the onus is on platforms like Substack and detection tools like GPTZero to ensure a transparent balance between innovation and integrity in content creation. Understanding these dynamics will be essential to navigating the complexities of digital authorship in the future.
