You are invited to join the discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Tree of Life § Can't display some taxa's authorities. Jako96 (talk) 09:56, 6 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

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An onslaught of seeming AI-generated additions to species articles

[edit]

Hi. Apologies if you see this elsewhere; I plan to crosspost it to WikiProject Plants and other relevant projects.

I've been tagging a huge amount of seemingly AI-generated additions to articles about species. Some are "sourced," some not. I suspect that they are due to AI tools that will "write" an article based on provided sources and/or search results provided in a prompt. What seems to happen is that the AI, unable to generate text on a topic, speculates on what may be "likely." At first I considered that maybe it's a copy-paste template because there are a few users who are prolific with these, or perhaps a sockpuppet situation, but I've noticed similar text pattern in other topics as well.

Some examples:

  • Diff 1: While specific distribution data for *Amethysa basalis* is limited, members of the genus are generally found in tropical and subtropical zones. This user has added many many edits like this (though they're not the only one). The asterisks indicate markdown formatting, a common AI tell.
  • Diff 2: Shell Characteristics: While specific morphological details are limited, as a member of the Modiolus genus, it likely.... A separate AI tell here is this puffery: "This inclusion highlights its relevance in studies of marine biodiversity in the South Atlantic region." Several drafts by the user have been declined for sources not matching text.
  • Diff 3: Although specific conservation assessments for Halystina globulus are not available, deep-sea species in general are considered.... Not also the "is essential" editorializing.
  • Diff 4: this remains unconfirmed without direct access to the original description and Specific details about its depth range or precise localities within the Philippine region are not well-documented in available literature, suggesting a need for further research. The "further research" editorializing is common. Note that this user's userpage also shows AI signs, like markdown link formatting.
  • Diff 5: Specific morphological details about C. bialata are limited in the provided sources.
  • Diff 6: While specific measurements are not widely detailed, it shares general characteristics with other species.... This user was blocked for ongoing LLM use. Note the plaintext "footnotes," also.

I could list a lot more but I really don't want to be here all day. Basically, we've been getting swamped with these edits for almost a year, it's worse than we thought, it shows no signs of stopping, and it is way too big for one person. and I'm not a biology expert by any means so I am of limited help doing anything but finding this stuff and flagging it to experts.

Anyway, wanted to bring this to your attention, hopefully people have bandwidth to help take it on. Please tag me if you have questions or remarks, or else I won't see it (because I am busy excavating slop).

Note to the future: I do not support a mass article deletion campaign related to this (as opposed to destubbing) and do not approve of any insults/harassment/dogpiling of the authors involved as have happened with similar past situations. Please don't make me regret flagging this. Gnomingstuff (talk) 19:10, 12 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at Template talk:Taxonomy/Neognathae § Always display. Jako96 (talk) 22:01, 17 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at Template talk:Taxonomy/Ecdysozoa § Template-protected edit request on 20 August 2025. Jako96 (talk) 10:20, 21 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at Template talk:Taxonomy/Lophotrochozoa § Template-protected edit request on 20 August 2025. Jako96 (talk) 10:22, 21 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at Talk:Skink § Requested move 27 August 2025. Jako96 (talk) 07:57, 27 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]