AI-lization in Academic Writing: Are We Starting to Write Like AI?

 

By Xi Lin

Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other generative AI platforms are rapidly transforming academic writing. Students now use AI to brainstorm ideas, refine grammar, organize arguments, and even generate drafts within seconds.

While these tools improve efficiency and accessibility, a new concern is emerging:
What happens when human writing begins to sound increasingly like AI?

In their January 2026 article, Xi Lin and Tianjiao Zhao introduce the concept of “AI-lization” to describe this growing phenomenon. Their work explores how AI is reshaping academic writing, originality, and learning in higher education.

What Is AI-lization?

AI-lization refers to the process by which human writing gradually adopts patterns commonly associated with AI-generated text. Over time, writers may unconsciously internalize AI-like sentence structures, vocabulary, and stylistic choices.

AI-generated writing often includes:

• Grammatically polished sentences
• Clear and concise organization
• Predictable structures
• Neutral or emotionally detached language

In contrast, human writing typically includes:

• Personal voice and individuality
• Emotional depth
• Cultural references and lived experiences
• Creative phrasing and stylistic variation

The concern is that heavy reliance on AI may make student writing increasingly standardized and machine-like, potentially reducing originality and creativity.

AI-lization Is Not the Same as Plagiarism

The article emphasizes that AI-lization differs from plagiarism.

Plagiarism involves directly copying someone else’s work without attribution. AI-lization, however, reflects the gradual convergence between human and machine writing styles. Even without intentionally copying AI output, repeated exposure to AI-generated language may still shape how students write.

The authors also distinguish AI-lization from responsible AI-assisted writing. When used thoughtfully, AI can support:

• Brainstorming
• Editing and proofreading
• Idea generation
• Organizational improvement

In this way, AI can complement human thinking rather than replace it.

Why Educators Are Concerned

AI-lization creates several challenges for higher education.

Difficulty Identifying Authentic Work

Many instructors struggle to determine whether writing reflects genuine student effort or excessive AI assistance. Although AI detection tools are widely used, they often produce:

• False positives (human writing flagged as AI)
• False negatives (AI-generated writing missed)

These inaccuracies may damage student trust and create anxiety around academic integrity.

Over-Reliance on AI

The article also warns that excessive dependence on AI tools may weaken:

• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Problem-solving skills
• Independent writing abilities

If students rely too heavily on AI to generate ideas and arguments, they may engage less deeply with the learning process itself.

Moving Beyond AI Detection

Rather than focusing only on detecting AI use, the authors argue that educators should rethink how originality and learning are evaluated.

Instead of asking: “Did the student use AI?”

We may need to ask: “How did the student engage with the writing process?”

This means placing greater emphasis on:

• Draft development
• Revision processes
• Reflection and decision-making
• Critical engagement with AI suggestions

For example, students could explain how they used AI, justify their acceptance or rejection of suggestions, and reflect on how AI influenced their writing.

This process-oriented approach may provide a more meaningful understanding of student learning than simply evaluating the final product.

Recommendations for Students and Educators

The article encourages students to:

• Critically evaluate AI-generated content
• Maintain their personal voice
• Use AI as a support tool, not a replacement
• Reflect on and document AI usage
• Seek feedback from educators and peers

For educators, the authors recommend:

• Integrating AI literacy into the curriculum
• Designing assignments that value creativity and critical thinking
• Encouraging peer review and discussion
• Establishing clear AI-use policies
• Emphasizing process over polished output

Final Thoughts

AI is transforming academic writing, but the challenge is not simply whether students use AI. The deeper question is how AI influences creativity, originality, and learning.

The authors argue that education should focus less on detecting AI and more on understanding how students think, revise, and learn in AI-supported environments.

AI tools can enhance efficiency and accessibility, but meaningful learning still depends on critical thinking, reflection, and authentic human expression.

Reference

Lin, X., & Zhao, T. (2026). The AI-lization in Academic Writing: Challenges and Opportunities. eLearn Magazine. https://doi.org/10.1145/3793702.3776563

 

Human vs. AI Feedback: What Really Helps Preservice Teachers Learn?

 

 

By Xi Lin

 

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in education, one important question emerges: Can AI provide feedback as effectively as humans, especially in teacher preparation?

 

A recent study explores this question by comparing AI-generated feedback (ChatGPT) with human peer feedback in a literacy methods course for preservice teachers. The findings offer timely insights into how future educators learn, reflect, and improve their teaching practice in an AI-supported world.

 

Why Feedback Matters in Teacher Education

Feedback plays a central role in helping preservice teachers improve their lesson planning, critical thinking, and instructional decision-making. Traditionally, peer review has been widely used to support:

 

• Reflective thinking
• Collaborative learning
• Pedagogical development

 

With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, feedback is no longer limited to human interaction. AI can now provide instant, rubric-based suggestions, raising an important question:

“Does faster feedback mean better learning?”

 

The Study: AI vs. Human Peer Review

The study used a quasi-experimental design with 25 preservice teachers:

• 👥 Human feedback group (n = 9): Students reviewed each other’s lesson plans in class
• 🤖 AI feedback group (n = 16): Students used ChatGPT to generate feedback

 

All students:

1. Created a guided reading lesson plan
2. Received feedback (human or AI)
3. Revised their work
4. Reflected on the feedback experience

 

Data included:

• Survey results (critical thinking and peer learning)
• Open-ended responses
• Written reflections

 

Key Findings: What Did We Learn?

1. Both AI and Humans Support Critical Thinking

Students in both groups reported improved critical thinking.

 

AI helped by:

• Providing structured, rubric-aligned feedback
• Identifying gaps quickly
• Supporting revision efficiency

 

This suggests that AI can function as a useful cognitive scaffold, helping students refine their work.

 

2. Only Human Feedback Fostered Peer Learning

Here is where the difference becomes clear:

• Human feedback → significantly improved peer learning
• AI feedback → no significant effect on peer learning

 

Why? Students emphasized that human interaction provides:

• Dialogue and discussion
• Shared understanding
• Immediate clarification
• Emotional support

 

In contrast, AI lacks true interaction and collaboration, which are essential for peer learning.

 

3. Strengths and Weaknesses of AI Feedback

Strengths of AI:

• ⏱️ Immediate and always available
• 📊 Strong alignment with rubrics
• 🧾 Detailed and structured suggestions

 

Limitations of AI:

• ❗ Sometimes irrelevant or inaccurate
• 🤖 Lacks contextual understanding
• 💬 Feels impersonal or “robotic”
• 🔁 Can be inconsistent across responses

 

Some students even questioned its reliability and authenticity.

 

4. Human Feedback Brings What AI Cannot

 

Human peer feedback stood out for:

• ❤️ Emotional support and encouragement
• 🎯 Contextual relevance (real classroom understanding)
• 🤝 Trust and collaboration
• 🧠 Pedagogical nuance

 

Students reported feeling:

• More confident
• More engaged
• More supported

 

These socio-emotional and relational aspects are still beyond AI’s current capabilities.

 

The Future: A Hybrid Feedback Model

Rather than choosing between AI and humans, the study suggests a more effective approach:

 

Combine both!

 

AI for:

• Fast, structured, rubric-based feedback
• Identifying surface-level issues

 

Humans for:

• Deep discussion and reflection
• Emotional and contextual support
• Collaborative meaning-making

 

A hybrid feedback model may provide the best of both worlds.

 

Implications for Educators

For teacher educators and instructional designers:

• ✔ Use AI as a support tool, not a replacement
• ✔ Teach students how to critically evaluate AI feedback
• ✔ Design activities that include both AI and human interaction
• ✔ Emphasize AI literacy and ethical use

Final Thoughts

AI is transforming education—but not in a way that replaces human connection.

This study shows that while AI can enhance efficiency and support critical thinking,
Human interaction remains essential for meaningful learning.

 

👉 The future of education is not AI or humans.
👉 It is AI and humans—working together.

 

Reference

Yang-Heim, G. Y. A., & Lin, X. (2026). Preservice teachers’ perceptions of AI-and human-generated feedback on lesson plans. Cogent Education, 13(1), 2624898. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2624898

 

How Animal Crossing: New Horizons Became a Pandemic-Era Learning Tool

Images from Animal Crossing, Owned By Nintendo

By Li Xin

 

 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many of us found ourselves seeking solace in unexpected places. For millions of players around the world, that place was the charming, idyllic world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This life simulation game developed by Nintendo became a global phenomenon, selling over 13.41 million copies within just a few weeks of its March 2020 release. But beyond its entertainment value, New Horizons has also emerged as a powerful tool for learning and engagement, especially during a time when traditional learning environments were disrupted.

 

The Motivational Learning Framework

 

To understand how New Horizons can serve as a learning tool, we can examine Malone and Lepper’s taxonomy of intrinsic motivations for learning and gaming. This framework identifies key factors that motivate learners, including internal motivations such as challenge, curiosity, control, and fantasy, as well as interpersonal motivations such as cooperation, competition, and recognition. Let’s explore how New Horizons aligns with these motivational factors.

 

Challenge

 

New Horizons is filled with daily and long-term tasks that require players to gather and craft items, collect insects, catch fish, and develop their island. These tasks are not just repetitive; they require strategic thinking and problem-solving. For example, catching a specific fish involves consulting the Critterpedia, an in-game encyclopedia that provides detailed information about the fish, including its habitat, active periods, and appearance times. This process encourages players to seek out new information, apply it, and build on their existing knowledge, all essential components of cognitive learning.

 

 

 

Curiosity

 

The game’s design naturally sparks curiosity. The Critterpedia only unlocks information about creatures that players have caught, encouraging them to explore and discover. The museum, run by the owl Blathers, offers detailed information about donated items, from the characteristics of insects and fish to the history of artworks. This feature not only satisfies players’ curiosity but also provides a rich learning experience about natural history and art.

 

 

 

Control

 

New Horizons gives players a high degree of autonomy. They can explore the island at their own pace, choose when to complete tasks, and decide whether to learn more about donated items. This sense of control fosters a feeling of flexibility and self-direction, making the learning experience more engaging and personalized.

 

 

  

Fantasy

 

The game’s real-time feature syncs with the real world, changing day-to-day and seasonally. This alignment with real-world time creates a dynamic and immersive environment where players can experience the game’s events in real-time. The evolving island, museum, and special events like International Museum Day provide a rich, fantasy setting that motivates players to engage deeply with the game.

 

  

Cooperation

 

New Horizons encourages collaboration. Players can visit each other’s islands, trade items, and work together to complete tasks. For example, breeding hybrid flowers is more successful with the help of friends, and trading turnips can lead to higher profits. This cooperative element not only enhances the game experience but also fosters social skills and teamwork.

 

 

 

Competition

 

Players can compete with others to accumulate items and improve their island’s rating. This friendly competition adds an element of challenge and achievement, motivating players to strive for excellence.

 

 

 

Recognition

 

The game offers visible outcomes like a well-developed island, a museum filled with collections, and personalized houses. Players can also earn trophies and certificates for their achievements, which they can share with friends or on social media. This recognition reinforces their efforts and provides a sense of accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

Learning Beyond the Game

 

Beyond the structured learning experiences, New Horizons also promotes incidental and tangential learning. Players often learn about topics like biology, gardening, construction, interior design, art, and history through their interactions in the game. For example, decorating a house might spark an interest in interior design, leading players to explore the topic further outside the game.

 

Conclusion

 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is more than just a game; it’s a learning environment that motivates and engages players of all ages. By leveraging the motivational learning framework, the game designers have created an experience that is both entertaining and educational. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, games like New Horizons offer a valuable escape while also providing meaningful learning opportunities. For educators and game developers, this study highlights the potential of using game-based learning to foster engagement and knowledge acquisition in a fun and interactive way.

 

Are you ready to dive into the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and discover the learning opportunities it offers? Your adventure awaits!

 

   

Reference

Lin, X., & Su, S. (2020). Motivating Learning by Playing Animal Crossing New Horizons: A trending game during the COVID-19 pandemic. eLearn Magazine, 2020(11). https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3440721.3425166