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Artwork for Opening AI for Language Learning
Opening AI for Language Learning · October 27 · 31 min

017 AI detectors do not work

In this episode, Mat and Phil continue to explore Sam Illingworth’s Slow AI, this time turning their attention to AI detectors. Beyond the question of whether AI detectors work, the hosts discuss the technical, ethical and pedagogical concerns surrounding their use in education. They address the risk of false positives, the ways in which second-language writers may be disproportionately affected, and examples of students altering their writing or using AI-humanizer tools to avoid AI detection. They also consider the potential harms of AI detectors to teaching and learning, including its use of energy and water, the proliferation of AI slop, and the possibility of addictive use and brain rot. In this episode: Sam Illingworth’s Slow AI: Knowing When to Use AI and When to Leave It Alone, https://samillingworth.com/book Sam Illingworth’s substack: https://substack.com/@samillingworth Another of Illingworth’s books (open access): Illingworth, S., & Forsyth, R. (2026). GenAI in higher education: Redefining teaching and learning. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781350535824

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In this episode, Mat and Phil continue to explore Sam Illingworth’s Slow AI, this time turning their attention to AI detectors. Beyond the question of whether AI detectors work, the hosts discuss the technical, ethical and pedagogical concerns surrounding their use in education. They address the risk of false positives, the ways in which second-language writers may be disproportionately affected, and examples of students altering their writing or using AI-humanizer tools to avoid AI detection. They also consider the potential harms of AI detectors to teaching and learning, including its use of energy and water, the proliferation of AI slop, and the possibility of addictive use and brain rot.

In this episode:

Sam Illingworth’s Slow AI: Knowing When to Use AI and When to Leave It Alone, https://samillingworth.com/book

Sam Illingworth’s substack: https://substack.com/@samillingworth

Another of Illingworth’s books (open access): Illingworth, S., & Forsyth, R. (2026). GenAI in higher education: Redefining teaching and learning. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781350535824

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