The Rise of Synthetic Sentences: A Symptom of AI's Growing Influence

In recent years, corporate communications have become increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence (AI) tools to craft compelling narratives and messaging. A telling trend has emerged in the process, one that highlights the growing influence of AI on our language and writing styles. The sentence construction “It’s not just this — it’s that” has become a ubiquitous feature of AI-generated text, and its prevalence has reached epidemic proportions.

According to a recent report by Barron’s, this phrase has more than quadrupled in corporate news releases, earnings reports, and government filings from 2023 to 2025. The data paints a stark picture: what was once a subtle indicator of AI-generated writing has become a hallmark of corporate communications. This trend is not limited to a single industry or sector; it is a widespread phenomenon that reflects the increasing reliance on AI tools in corporate communications.

The examples cited in the report are telling. Phrases such as “AI won’t just be a tool; it will be a collaborator” and “The future of autonomy isn’t just on the horizon; it’s already unfolding” are not only repetitive but also demonstrate a lack of originality. The use of this sentence construction has become so pervasive that it is now considered a tell for AI-generated text, much like the overuse of em-dashes.

This trend is more than just a quirk or a stylistic preference; it is a symptom of AI’s growing influence on our language and writing styles. The fact that AI tools were trained on existing writing, without permission from authors, raises important questions about authorship, ownership, and the future of content creation. The use of this sentence construction may be seen as innocuous, but it belies a deeper issue: the increasing reliance on AI in corporate communications.

As we move forward, it is essential to acknowledge the role that AI plays in shaping our language and writing styles. Rather than viewing this trend as simply a quirk or a trend, we must recognize its significance as a reflection of AI’s growing influence on our communication landscape. Next time you come across a sentence like “It’s not just this — it’s that,” remember that it may be more than just a catchy construction; it might be a symptom of something greater.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/ai-writing-its-not-just-this-its-that-barrons/