Picture this: a heartfelt email to a colleague, carefully crafted to convey gratitude and teamwork, lands in their inbox, but instead of feeling personal, it reads like a theatrical script—packed with dramatic pauses and unnecessary flair. The culprit? That little line known as the em dash, overused by artificial intelligence tools, turning authentic messages into robotic performances. This subtle punctuation mark has become a surprising telltale sign of AI’s involvement in writing, raising questions about authenticity in a world increasingly reliant on digital assistants.
The Hidden Signal in Your Punctuation
Beyond the surface of polished prose lies a quirky giveaway that screams automation. The em dash—that elongated line often used for emphasis or interruption—has become a favorite of AI language models. When sprinkled excessively across emails, blog posts, or social media captions, it transforms natural writing into something overly stylized, almost as if a machine is trying too hard to sound human. This phenomenon isn’t just a stylistic quirk; it’s a digital fingerprint exposing the invisible hand of technology.
Spotting this pattern requires little more than a quick scan of the text. Sentences that should flow casually often get interrupted by these dashes, creating a jarring rhythm that feels more like a stage direction than genuine expression. A simple note like “Thanks for the feedback, it’s helpful” might morph into “Thanks for the feedback—it’s incredibly helpful—and appreciated.” The difference is stark, and for readers attuned to these nuances, it’s an instant red flag.
Why This Punctuation Habit Undermines Authenticity
In an age where genuine communication builds trust, the overuse of certain punctuation by AI tools can erode that connection. Whether crafting a pitch to a client or posting a quick update online, the goal is to sound relatable, not like a press release drafted by a corporate bot. Yet, AI’s reliance on em dashes often strips away the raw, human tone, replacing it with an artificial cadence that feels rehearsed and disconnected.
This issue extends beyond aesthetics to impact credibility. Studies have shown that audiences are 60% more likely to engage with content perceived as authentic, according to a 2025 survey by the Content Marketing Institute. When writing appears overly polished or formulaic—thanks to an army of em dashes—it risks alienating readers who crave sincerity over perfection. The challenge lies in balancing AI’s efficiency with the need to maintain a personal touch.
Unpacking AI’s Punctuation Preference
To understand this fixation, consider the em dash’s versatility. It can replace commas, parentheses, or even colons, often adding a dramatic flair to a sentence. AI models, trained on vast datasets of formal writing and literature, gravitate toward this mark as a go-to for emphasis, seeing it as a sophisticated way to structure complex ideas. The result is a text that feels more like a novel’s dialogue than a casual conversation.
This tendency manifests across various formats, from professional reports to informal messages. Take an example from a revised LinkedIn post: “I’m excited to announce a new project—one that redefines innovation—and sets a benchmark for the industry.” While the intent is to sound impactful, the double dash insertion turns a straightforward update into something overly grandiose. It’s a pattern rooted in AI’s algorithmic bias toward stylized expression, often ignoring context or tone.
The root of this behavior lies in training data skewed toward published works where em dashes are common for rhetorical effect. Unlike human writers who adjust based on audience, AI lacks the nuance to dial back when simplicity is needed. This creates a disconnect, turning a quick memo into a monologue that feels out of place in everyday exchanges.
Voices from the Field on AI’s Writing Quirks
Experts in communication have taken note of this trend, often with a mix of amusement and concern. Starr Hall, an entrepreneur and seasoned publicist, likens AI to “an overzealous intern hopped up on caffeine—full of potential but needing constant oversight.” Her observation rings true for many who’ve watched AI transform a basic thank-you note into a melodramatic essay, complete with unnecessary punctuation flourishes.
Real-world experiences echo this sentiment. A freelance writer recently shared frustration after asking an AI tool to simplify a draft, only to receive a response littered with em dashes, such as, “Here’s the plan—let’s finalize it—before the deadline—without fail.” Despite specific instructions to tone down the drama, the tool doubled down, illustrating a stubborn streak in its programming. These anecdotes highlight a broader need for users to stay vigilant when leveraging such technology.
Strategies to Reclaim Your Unique Voice
Fortunately, AI can still be a valuable ally without overshadowing personal style. One effective approach is to begin with a raw, unfiltered draft straight from the mind, capturing individual quirks and imperfections. Only then should AI step in to refine grammar or suggest phrasing, acting as a supportive editor rather than the primary author. This method ensures the core message retains its human essence before any digital polish is applied.
Another key step involves a meticulous review for AI’s signature traits post-editing. Scanning for excessive em dashes, along with overused phrases like “in this dynamic landscape,” helps strip away the robotic sheen. Replacing these dashes with simpler punctuation, such as commas or periods, can instantly ground the text. A sentence like “The results are in—and they’re groundbreaking—so let’s celebrate” reads more naturally as “The results are in, and they’re groundbreaking, so let’s celebrate.”
Finally, infusing personality back into the content is crucial. Reading the revised piece aloud can reveal whether it mirrors natural speech or sounds like a corporate spokesperson. If it feels stiff, adding colloquial terms or intentional grammar breaks can restore authenticity. Transforming AI’s “Let’s pursue cutting-edge strategies” into something like “Let’s shake things up and try something bold” bridges the gap between machine precision and human warmth.
Reflecting on the Balance of Tech and Humanity
Looking back, the journey through AI’s punctuation quirks revealed a delicate dance between efficiency and authenticity. The em dash, once a subtle tool, had morphed into a glaring signal of automation, challenging writers to stay mindful of their digital collaborators. Each encounter with over-dramatized text served as a reminder that technology, while powerful, couldn’t fully replicate the nuances of human expression. The path forward rested on practical vigilance—starting with personal drafts, editing out robotic tells, and prioritizing genuine voice over polished perfection. As reliance on AI grew, so did the responsibility to shape its output, ensuring it amplified rather than erased individuality. Embracing this balance promised a future where technology supported creativity without stealing the spotlight.