In a recent LinkedIn post, Kieran Flanagan discusses a subtle yet significant pattern that reveals when content is likely generated by artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing on common giveaways like em dashes, Flanagan points to a specific linguistic structure that AI often employs when attempting to sound profound.
Flanagan highlights a recurring formula that AI assistants tend to use, especially when trying to present a novel or impactful idea. He frames this as the ‘contrarian reframe,’ a technique where familiar advice is dismissed in favor of a newly coined, often more complex-sounding concept.
“It’s not [familiar thing everyone says]. It’s actually [rebranded version that sounds profound].”
Understanding the ‘Contrarian Reframe’
According to Kieran Flanagan, this pattern emerges because AI models are trained on vast datasets that include a significant amount of thought leadership content, TED Talks, and similar material. When prompted to generate insightful or groundbreaking statements, the AI defaults to this established structure.
Flanagan provides clear examples of this pattern in action. He notes:
“Sure, influencers will tell you to post more content. But it’s not about posting more; it’s about strategic content resonance. I call it the Resonance Framework, and it changed everything.”
This example, as presented by Flanagan, illustrates how a common piece of advice (“post more content”) is contrasted with a more jargon-filled, rebranded concept (“strategic content resonance,” or the “Resonance Framework”).
The ‘Permission-Based’ Example
Another example shared by Flanagan further clarifies his point:
“Today, we’re seeing that it takes more email outreach to book meetings for our sales teams. But, it’s not about sending more email, it’s about practicing Permission-Based Relationship Nurturing, and when you understand that, it changes everything.”
In Flanagan’s view, this structure is a strong indicator of AI-generated text because it mimics the style of content that often aims to present a contrarian or a more sophisticated take on a well-understood topic. The AI, reflecting its training data, reproduces this popular framing.
Why This Pattern Matters
Kieran Flanagan argues that recognizing this pattern can be crucial for content creators and consumers alike. For creators, understanding this AI tendency can help in refining their own authentic voice and avoiding the pitfalls of sounding generic or formulaic. For readers, it offers a tool to critically assess the originality and authorship of online content.
Flanagan concludes by sharing his observation that even successful AI influencers often exhibit this trait in their posts. As he puts it:
“I know one AI influencer who’s doing great on here and on X, and who uses AI a lot; this pattern shows up in nearly every post.”
By identifying this specific linguistic cue, Flanagan suggests, individuals can gain a better understanding of the underlying tools used to craft online narratives, emphasizing the importance of critical media literacy in the age of AI.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Kieran Flanagan on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 22, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →