Shadowing Practice: Why Are People Starting to Sound Like ChatGPT? | Adam Aleksic | TED - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
How sure are you that you can tell what's real online?
⏸ Paused
55 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
How sure are you that you can tell what's real online?
2
(Laughter) You might think it's easy to spot an obviously AI-generated image, and you're probably aware that algorithms are biased in some way.
3
But all the evidence is suggesting that we're pretty bad at understanding that on a subconscious level.
4
Take, for example, the growing perception gap in America.
5
We keep over- and overestimating how extreme other people's political beliefs are, and this is only getting worse with social media, because algorithms show us the most extreme picture of reality.
6
As an etymologist and content creator, I always see controversial messages go more viral because they generate more engagement than a neutral perspective.
7
But that means we all end up seeing this more extreme version of reality, and we're clearly starting to confuse that with actual reality.
8
The same thing is currently happening with AI chatbots, because you probably assume that ChatGPT is speaking English to you, except it's not speaking English, in the same way that the algorithm's not showing you reality.
9
There are always distortions, depending on what goes into the model and how it's trained.
10
Like we know that ChatGPT says “delve” at way higher rates than usual, possibly because OpenAI outsourced its training process to workers in Nigeria who do, actually, say, "delve" more frequently.
11
Over time, though, that little linguistic overrepresentation got reinforced into the model even more than in the workers' own dialects.
12
Now that's affecting everybody's language.
13
Multiple studies have found that, since ChatGPT came out, people everywhere have been saying the word "delve" more in spontaneous spoken conversation.
14
Essentially, we're subconsciously confusing the AI version of language with actual language.
15
But that means that the real thing is, ironically, getting closer to the machine version of the thing.
16
We're in a positive feedback loop with the AI representing reality, us thinking that's the real reality, and regurgitating it so the AI can be fed more of our data.
17
You can also see this with the algorithm through words like "hyperpop," [not a] part of our cultural lexicon until Spotify noticed an emerging cluster of similar users in their algorithm.
18
[When] they identified it and introduced a hyperpop playlist, however, the aesthetic was given a direction.
19
Now people began to debate what did and did not qualify as hyperpop.
20
The label and the playlist made the phenomenon more real by giving them something to identify with or against.
21
And as more people identified with hyperpop, more musicians also started making hyperpop music.
22
All the while, the cluster of similar listeners in the algorithm grew larger, and Spotify kept pushing it more, because these platforms want to amplify cultural trends to keep you on the app.
23
But that means we also lose the distinction between a real trend and an artificially inflated trend.
24
And yet, this is how all fads now enter the mainstream.
25
We start with a latent cultural desire.
26
Maybe some people are interested in matcha, Labubu or Dubai chocolate.
27
The algorithm identifies this desire and pushes it to similar users, making the phenomenon more of a thing.
28
But again, just like how ChatGPT misrepresented the word "delve," the algorithm is probably misrepresenting reality.
29
Now more businesses are making Labubu content because they think that's the desire.
30
More influencers are also making Labubu trends because we have to tap into trends to go viral.
31
And yet, the algorithm is only showing you the visually provocative items that work in the video format.
32
TikTok has a limited idea of who you are as a user, and there's no way that matches up with your complex desires as a human being.
33
So we have a biased input.
34
And that's assuming that social media is trying to faithfully represent reality, which it isn't.
35
It's only trying to do what's going to make money for them.
36
It's in Spotify's interest to have you listening to hyperpop, and it’s in TikTok’s to have you looking at Labubus because that's commodifiable.
37
So again, we have this difference between reality and representation, where they're actually constantly influencing one another.
38
But it's incredibly dangerous to ignore that distinction, because this goes beyond our language and consumptive behaviors.
39
This affects the world we see as possible.
40
Evidence suggests that ChatGPT is more conservative when speaking the Farsi language, likely because of the limited training texts in Iran reflect the more conservative political climate in the region.
41
Does that mean that Iranian ChatGPT users will think more conservative thoughts?
42
Elon Musk regularly makes changes to his chatbot Grok when he doesn't like how it's responding, and then uses his platform X to artificially amplify his tweets.
43
Does that mean that the millions of Grok and X users are subconsciously being trained to align with Musk's ideology?
44
We need to constantly remember that these aren't neutral tools.
45
Everything that ends up in your social media feed or in your chatbot responses is actually filtered through many layers of what's good for the platform, what makes money and what conforms to the platform’s incorrect idea about who you are.
46
When we ignore this, we view reality through a constant survivorship bias, which affects our understanding of the world.
47
After all, if you're talking more like ChatGPT, you're probably thinking more like ChatGPT as well, or TikTok or Spotify.
48
But you can fight this if you constantly ask yourself: Why?
49
Why am I seeing this?
50
Why am I saying this?
51
Why am I thinking this?
52
And why is the platform rewarding this?
53
If you don't ask yourself these questions, their version of reality is going to become your version of reality.
54
So stay real.
55
(Cheers and applause)

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Context & Background

In the TED talk titled "Why Are People Starting to Sound Like ChatGPT?" by Adam Aleksic, the speaker explores the growing impact of AI and social media on our language and perceptions of reality. He highlights how algorithms influence our understanding of cultural trends and how AI-generated language can affect authentic communication. The conversation delves into the subconscious ways in which individuals may begin to mirror the linguistic patterns of AI, leading to significant implications for our language and thought processes.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "How sure are you that you can tell what's real online?" - A great opener for discussions about media literacy and understanding reality.
  • "We're clearly starting to confuse that with actual reality." - Use this to talk about perceptions and how they shape our opinions.
  • "This is how all fads now enter the mainstream." - Reference when discussing trends in conversation or social dynamics.
  • "Everything that ends up in your social media feed is actually filtered." - Useful for emphasizing the idea of curated content in social media discussions.
  • "We need to constantly remember that these aren't neutral tools." - A phrase to instigate critical thinking about technology and personal choices.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To tackle the linguistic patterns found in Adam Aleksic's talk, consider employing the shadowing technique. This method enhances your English pronunciation and helps you internalize effective communication styles. Follow these steps:

  1. Listen: Play the video and focus on the speaker’s tone, intonation, and word choice. Not just the content, but the delivery is important.
  2. Choose Phrases: Select important phrases like those listed above. Pay attention to how they are stressed and delivered.
  3. Shadow Speech: Repeat after Aleksic in real-time, trying to mimic the pronunciation and emotion in his voice, or use a shadowing site that offers playback tools.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your phone or a recording device to capture your shadowed phrases. Compare your recordings with the original to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Reflect: Ask yourself why certain phrases resonate with the speaker’s overall message and how using them can enhance your conversations.

By regularly practicing these steps, employing shadowspeak, and truly observing the nuances in communication styles, you can become more adept at engaging in meaningful dialogues. Embrace the shadowing technique to refine your speaking skills and gain confidence in your English pronunciation.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

☕ Buy us a coffee