The Quantum Synergy of Fake Writing
It’s 3 AM, and I’m knee-deep in the submission queue. A piece titled "The Quantum Synergy of Blockchain AI Paradigms" glows on my screen. The sentences are flawless. Too flawless. They slide into my brain like synthetic honey—smooth, empty, and vaguely nauseating.
My editor Spidey-sense screams: "ChatGPT did your homework, and you didn’t even bother to scribble in the margins."
Welcome to the frontlines of Medium’s AI content wars.
The Unspoken Truth About AI on Medium
Let’s cut through the hype: AI-generated writing isn’t evil. But undisclosed AI writing? That’s a betrayal of trust. Readers flock here for human voices, not algorithmic ventriloquism.
When Scott Lamb, Medium’s VP of Content, declared this a "home for human writing full stop", he wasn’t flexing. He was drawing a line in the sand.
As of 2025, here’s how we’re holding that line—while still embracing tech that elevates (not replaces) writers.
🚨 Rule #1: Disclosure Isn’t Optional—It’s Non-Negotiable
- ☠️ Zero distribution across Medium’s network
- 💸 Booted from the Partner Program (aka no money for you)
Why It Matters: Readers like Matt Passarelli aren’t paying to subsidize robot labor: "I signed up to pay humans their worth for doing real work."
🤖 The AI Spectrum: Banned, Allowed, and "Walk the Damn Line"
| AI Use Case | Medium’s Verdict | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fully AI-generated | ❌ Banned Risk Partner Program exile | "10 SEO Hacks for 2025" written entirely by ChatGPT |
| AI-assisted | ✅ Allowed *if disclosed* | Using Claude to fix grammar, brainstorm headlines |
| AI-stealth mode | 🚫 Nuked No distribution | Passing off AI text as "all me." Spoiler: We know. |
Pro Tip: "AI assistance" means you’re the driver—AI’s just the GPS.
- Wrote >10% of your draft?
- Kept original AI-generated phrases?
- Used AI to structure your argument?
🔥 Publications Are Going Nuclear (And We’re Here For It)
- Fanfare’s policy: "Any writer submitting AI content will be barred like uncivilized barbarians. No second chances."
- The Writing Cooperative: Treat AI like a source. Cite it or get rejected.
- Towards Data Science: Humans only. No AI "collaborators" allowed.
Translation: Your target pub’s rules trump Medium’s. Always check them—or get rejected instantly.
⚖️ The Enforcement Nightmare
"But how do you KNOW it’s AI?!"
Detection tools suck. But editors still see the red flags:
- The Triple-Adjective Tic: "Innovative, dynamic, groundbreaking solutions..."
- Robotic Hedging: "Some argue X, while others posit Y..."
- Over-explaining: "TikTok, a social media platform..." (Seriously?)
When Humans Get Falsely Accused:
- 🔍 Share your Google Docs or draft history.
- ✍️ Write raw first—disable AI while drafting.
- ✅ Imperfections help. A typo beats synthetic perfection.
💡 The Future: Hybrid Humans (AI = Sidekick)
Writers like Anik Beauchemin win by using AI like a creative co-pilot, not a ghostwriter:
- Use Claude for research summaries
- Rephrase content in your tone
- Ask AI to surface SEO gaps—not fill them
The goal: AI handles the grunt work. You handle the heartbeat.
👁️ Will Medium Survive the AI Tsunami?
Platforms thrive when they invest in:
- Human curation (lived experience wins)
- Niche expertise (AI can’t replicate your trauma or tech hack)
- Community trust (Readers smell BS instantly)
✍️ Your Survival Checklist (From an Editor)
- DISCLOSE AI use. Every. Damn. Time.
- Know your publication’s stance
- Use AI ethically: Brainstorm, edit, research—not plagiarize
- Save your drafts (Google Docs is your lifeline)
- Write like a human: Be weird. Make jokes. Drop typos.
The Bottom Line
AI won’t steal your job. But a careless writer using it irresponsibly just might.
So go ahead—use Claude to untangle that paragraph. But before you hit publish, ask yourself:
“Did I make something only a HUMAN could make?”
If yes, welcome to the future. If not—well. My red-pen reflexes are ready.
Agree? Disagree? Vent your AI angst below—I’ll be in the comments, judging responsibly. 👇
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