top of page
Search

Algorithm Inference Bias: Why this article might frustrate you


This text is 100% human-written—but many of you may immediately dismiss this as AI-generated. Here's the truth: I wrote this with many patterns and hallmarks that regular users of ChatGPT will recognize. Even knowing this fact, some individuals will not believe this statement. Some will even feel strong emotion or frustration. 


If you use LLM generation frequently—for LinkedIn posts or other writing—your brain notices these patterns. To correct for these powerful indicators, many regular OpenAI users will try to instruct through prompts to eliminate them from their writing. ChatGPT does not always listen. The default formatted responses will elicit frustration. When users recognize these patterns or hallmarks in other writing—even when written entirely by a human—it will evoke an emotional response. 


This is not only about AI. This is about human bias and instinctive reactions to inherent beliefs.

Humans are exceptional at pattern recognition. Humans are overconfident in correctly attributing pattern recognition content or material they did not individually create. Humans are biased toward believing their interpretation of what was created by AI, based on singular instances or perceptions based on individual experiences. The underlying and instinctive emotional response will cause a discounting of human-generated information if there is even a single hallmark present.


In today's fast-paced world of communication, people rely on AI. Those who use AI the most are the first to recognize the patterns. Those users become frustrated by the LLM's inability to respond as instructed consistently. The pattern recognition and frustration evoke an emotional response. The emotional response is recalled when perceived recognition of previously experienced patterns occurs. The emotional response in conjunction with the pattern creates a bias against the presented information, regardless of its source. I suggest calling this psychological phenomenon "Algorithmic Inference Bias."

This bias, driven by pattern recognition and subsequent emotional discounting, has not been described in the psychological literature. There is a concept called "Algorithm aversion," which is related to the perception of the veracity of AI results' accuracy based on the knowledge of the source. However, algorithm aversion does not describe the emotional response and resulting biases. These emotions are evident in perceptions articulated across social media. 


Recognized perceptions of patterns in AI will remain after they fade from use in LLMs. New hallmarks will emerge. Our brains will hold on to our perceived patterns and apply them confidently—even when we are wrong. This was written entirely by human hand. I was still able to use Grammarly's AI detection to identify a paragraph that resembles AI text. 


Did you feel a sense of frustration at any time reading this article? Does your brain still suspect AI had a hand in this article? Do you have a sense this article can't be authentically human? Congratulations, you are experiencing "Algorithmic Inference Bias."




My name is Dale Werner, PhD, and I help leaders use psychology to improve strategy, transformation, and decision making.

 
 
 

Comments


  • LinkedIn
  • Spotify

mindloft

copyright 2025 opnmynd llc 

clinical services provided by mindloft family therapy incorporated

bottom of page