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EducationJanuary 15, 20268 min read

How AI Detectors Work: A Complete Guide for 2026

Understanding the technology behind AI detection tools like Turnitin, GPTZero, and Originality.ai.

P

PassedAI Team

AI Research

How AI Detectors Work: A Complete Guide for 2026

Introduction

AI detectors have become increasingly sophisticated in 2026, using advanced machine learning techniques to identify content generated by AI systems like GPT-4, Claude, and others.

How AI Detection Works

AI detectors analyze text using several key methods:

1. Perplexity Analysis

Perplexity measures how "surprised" a language model is by a piece of text. AI-generated content typically has lower perplexity because it follows predictable patterns.

2. Burstiness Detection

Human writing naturally varies in sentence length and complexity. AI tends to produce more uniform text with less variation.

3. Statistical Pattern Recognition

AI detectors look for patterns common in AI-generated text like repetitive structures and predictable vocabulary choices.

Major AI Detectors

  • Turnitin - Used by educational institutions
  • GPTZero - Pioneer in accessible AI detection
  • Originality.ai - Popular among content creators

Conclusion

Understanding how AI detectors work helps you create better, more authentic content.

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