20/04/2026

LYFE MONDAY | APR 20, 2026

FOLLOW

ON INSTAGRAM

22

Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily @t

When AI takes over your voice o Artificial intelligence may be changing nature of writing, narrowing public discourse

Ű BY AMEEN HAZIZI

A new study by researchers from institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington and Google DeepMind suggests artificial intelligence (AI) tools are not just improving writing, but actively altering its meaning. With more than a billion people using AI tools weekly – much of it for writing – the influence is already widespread. What appears to be a productivity tool is beginning to shape how ideas are expressed and possibly how they are formed. Editing that changes meaning At first glance, AI writing assistants function like advanced spellcheck tools. But the study finds their impact goes far beyond grammar. In controlled experiments from the study How LLMs Distort Our Written Language , researchers compared essays written by humans with those written or edited using AI. Even when models were told to make only minimal edits, they still introduced noticeable shifts in meaning. These were not random changes. Across multiple models and prompts, AI revisions consistently pushed writing in similar directions, unlike human edits, which tended to be smaller and more varied. The result is not just cleaner writing but different writing. Drift toward neutrality One of the clearest patterns is a shift in opinion. In a user study, participants who relied heavily on AI were far more likely to produce neutral essays, rather than taking a clear stance. Instead of arguing for or against a topic, their writing drifted toward balance and ambiguity. This suggests that AI tools may be smoothing out strong viewpoints, even when users intend otherwise. At the same time, participants reported that their work felt less like their own. Heavy AI users were more likely to say their writing lacked creativity and did not reflect their personal voice, even if they were still satisfied with the final result. Rise of shared voice Beyond meaning, the study points to

subtle reframing that can be difficult to detect. Shifting decisions, not just words The implications extend beyond everyday writing. Researchers analysed peer reviews from a major AI conference and found that a significant portion were generated or heavily edited by AI. These reviews differed from those written by humans. They tended to assign higher scores and placed less emphasis on clarity and significance, focusing instead on technical aspects such as scalability and reproducibility. This suggests that AI is not only influencing how people write, but also how they evaluate work and make decisions. Slow narrowing of expression The broader concern is cumulative. If AI tools consistently nudge writing toward neutrality, formality and a shared structure, they may gradually narrow the range of expression in public discourse. Over time, this could affect journalism, academic work and political communication. The risk is not a sudden loss of originality, but a slow drift toward uniformity. Control or convenience The study does not argue against using AI. Instead, it highlights a gap between perception and reality. Users tend to see these tools as passive assistants, but the evidence suggests they play a more active role in shaping content. The more heavily they are used, the stronger the effect becomes. Those who use AI sparingly, for example as a research or brainstorming tool, show far less distortion in their writing. As AI becomes embedded in everyday workflows, the question is no longer whether it changes writing. It is how much influence users are willing to accept over their own voice and meaning.

Some AI systems are optimised for user satisfaction, which can bias outputs toward agreeable or ‘safe’ responses.

AI-generated text can vary in accuracy, requiring human review before publication.

Repeated exposure to AI-generated text can influence how users structure sentences over time. – PICS FROM 123RF

generalised claims rather than personal experience. At the same time, it increases the use of emotional language, particularly words associated with positivity and trust. This mix of analytical framing and emotional reinforcement can make writing more persuasive. However, it is not always more faithful to the original intent. The concern is not obvious errors, but

fewer personal pronouns and more nouns and adjectives, moving toward a more formal and impersonal style. Writing becomes more polished, but also more detached from individual identity. More persuasive, less personal The models also reshape how arguments are built. AI- generated text relies more on structured reasoning, statistics and

a broader stylistic shift. Large language models tend to produce a shared voice, where different users’ writing begins to converge. Essays generated with heavy AI use showed similar structure, tone and vocabulary, while human written texts remained more diverse. This points to a gradual flattening of individual expression. The shift also appears in grammar and tone. AI-assisted writing uses

GADGET REVIEWS

Antigravity A1 Price: RM6,099 – RM7,499

Yashica Tank Price: HK$798 (RM480)

myFirst Insta Lux Price: RM799

The Antigravity A1 is an 8K 360° drone built for immersive aerial capture, featuring a dual-lens 1/1.28-inch sensor system capable of recording 8K30fps video in full 360°. Weighing 249g, it is designed for portability and regulatory compliance, with up to 24 minutes of flight time and an extended option up to 39 minutes. The drone pairs with Vision Goggles and a Grip controller using motion-based controls, while intelligent features such as automated flight paths, subject tracking and stabilisation support hands-free, cinematic shooting and post-capture reframing.

The Yashica Tank is a compact digital camera built for casual, expressive photography, featuring a 12MP CMOS sensor and a 3.0-inch 180° flip screen for flexible framing and selfies. Designed with a retro aesthetic and lightweight body, it supports 8× digital zoom, autofocus and video recording up to 4K30fps. With USB-C connectivity and microSD storage support up to 256GB, it prioritises portability and ease of use while delivering images with a nostalgic, memory-like character.

The myFirst Insta Lux is a child-friendly instant print camera designed for creative expression, featuring dual 5MP front and rear cameras and a 2.8-inch IPS display for easy framing. It uses dye-sublimation technology to produce vibrant colour prints and supports WiFi connectivity for transferring images via the myFirst Circle app. With up to 64GB expandable storage, USB-C charging and built-in filters and frames, it bridges digital photography with instant physical prints while remaining simple and ergonomic for younger users.