Newsletter platform Substack has introduced a new feature that allows users to check whether posts and newsletters on its platform were written by humans or generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
The company announced an integration with Pangram, an AI writing detection tool, which enables users to scan posts, comments and replies within the Substack app. The feature provides an estimate of how much of the content was written by a person and how much may have been generated by AI.
Substack said the tool is designed to help readers better understand the origin of the content they consume rather than penalise creators who use AI-assisted writing.
Chief Executive Officer Chris Best said the platform wants technology to support writers without replacing original ideas and creativity;
“When I used to pitch Substack to writers, one way I would do it is… we’ll do everything for you except the hard part. You have to have something an idea that’s worth reading, that’s worth caring about, that’s worth sharing” – Best
The feature will be available for any post, note, reply or comment containing more than 100 characters.
Substack will also allow writers to add an optional AI author’s note, enabling them to disclose how AI was used in creating their content.
In addition, publishers can use Pangram to scan their drafts before publication and request the removal of scans they believe incorrectly identify their work as AI-generated.
The company said the initiative is intended to encourage transparency and help maintain trust in the quality of content published on the platform as AI tools become increasingly integrated into the writing process.
