A linguistic shift is underway, and it’s not just about vocabulary

As we navigate the digital landscape, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that AI is leaving its mark on the way we communicate. The rise of chatbots and language models like ChatGPT has led to a creeping uniformity in our linguistic patterns, with words and phrases favored by AI models seeping into our everyday vocabulary.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development have been tracking this trend, analyzing over 280,000 YouTube videos from academic channels. Their findings reveal that in the 18 months following ChatGPT’s release, speakers used words like “meticulous,” “delve,” “realm,” and “adept” up to 51 percent more frequently than in the three years prior. These words, it turns out, are favored by ChatGPT, and their increased usage suggests a growing influence of AI on our language.

One word in particular has stood out to researchers as a kind of linguistic watermark: “delve.” According to Hiromu Yakura, the study’s lead author, “delve” has become an academic shibboleth, a neon sign flashing “ChatGPT was here.” But it’s not just vocabulary that’s being affected – researchers suspect that AI influence is starting to show up in tone, too, with longer, more structured speech and muted emotional expression becoming the norm.

As AI continues to shape our language, it’s also raising questions about trust and authenticity. A study out of Cornell University found that when people believed their partner was using AI in a conversation, they rated their partner as less collaborative and more demanding. This paradox highlights the deeper loss of trust that’s occurring as we adopt AI into our communication.

According to Mor Naaman, professor of Information Science at Cornell Tech, we’re losing three core human signals in the process: basic humanity signals, attention and effort signals, and ability signals. These signals, which speak to our authenticity, vulnerability, and personhood, are being replaced by AI-generated language that sounds polished but lacks emotional depth.

The stakes are high, as Naaman warns that we’re approaching a splitting point where AI’s impacts on language move between standardization and authentic expression. If we’re not careful, we risk losing conscious control over our own thinking and expression, becoming more persuaded by AI-generated language than our own thoughts and feelings.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Researchers are also exploring ways to mitigate the negative effects of AI on language, and to ensure that AI is used in a way that enhances human communication rather than replacing it. For example, some researchers are working on developing AI systems that can detect and respond to emotional cues, and that can adapt to individual communication styles.

Moreover, as AI continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see a shift towards more personalized and expressive language models. This could lead to a greater diversity of language styles, and a more nuanced understanding of human communication.

Ultimately, the future of language is uncertain, and it’s up to us to shape it. As we navigate the complex interplay between AI and human communication, we must be mindful of the potential risks and benefits, and work towards creating a future where AI enhances our language rather than replacing it.

The Future of Language: A Choice to be Made

We’re at a crossroads in the history of language, and the choices we make now will shape the future of communication. Will we choose to preserve the imperfections and quirks that make human language unique, or will we succumb to the homogenizing influence of AI? The answer is not clear, but one thing is certain: the future of language is in our hands.