Em dashes have become a telltale sign of AI-authored text, with large language models leaning hard on the long, dramatic punctuation mark. According to VentureBeat, the em dash often sneaks into sentences as a stand-in for commas, colons, or parentheses—sometimes to the point of giving away an AI assist. The piece argues that while AI can polish and rephrase effectively, its penchant for em dashes can make writing feel over-stylized or oddly paced.
Why AI leans on the em dash
The em dash (—) functions like a Swiss Army knife in prose. VentureBeat notes that AI uses it liberally, even when asked not to, sprinkling it into sentences as if for dramatic effect. The article describes how requests to “remove the em dashes” can still result in outputs that keep them, producing lines such as: “This is a major opportunity — one that demands urgency — and clarity — for maximum impact.” The result can read as conspicuously polished or emotionally performative, tipping off readers that software had a hand in the draft.
The article frames this habit as an aesthetic quirk rather than a reason to reject AI tools. Instead, it recommends supervising outputs to ensure the final voice remains recognizably human.
How to keep your voice while using AI
Three practical editing steps
VentureBeat outlines a simple workflow to maintain authenticity while benefiting from AI’s strengths. First, write a human first draft—messy, honest, and specific—before asking AI to refine it. This gives the model real intent and context to work with, instead of letting it invent tone or structure.
Second, strip out common AI tells during editing. Beyond em dashes, look for formulaic phrases, overused rhetorical questions, and repetitive alliteration. The piece suggests using find-and-replace for “—,” then substituting with commas, periods, or simpler structures to reduce the “AI-ish” feel.
Third, add yourself back into the text. Read the result aloud and ask whether it sounds like something you’d actually say. If it feels too stiff or generic, loosen the register, break a rule or two, and prefer plainspoken alternatives. VentureBeat contrasts an AI-style line—“Let’s explore innovative solutions to elevate our business trajectory”—with a more direct revision focused on momentum and clarity.
The takeaway: use AI for tightening, structure, and overcoming blank-page syndrome, but keep human judgment in the loop. As VentureBeat puts it, AI can make you sound smarter—if you supervise and trim those em dashes.
