What is this stupid symbol all chatbots seem to do now and why do they generate it unasked?

Understanding the Unwanted Dash: Why Chatbots Default to Using Em Dashes and How to Manage Them

In recent interactions with AI chatbots, many users have noticed a peculiar pattern: the frequent inclusion of an em dash—like this “—”—appearing unexpectedly within generated text.

This dash is often used in formal writing to introduce explanations, interruptions, or as a stylistic punctuation mark. However, when AI models incorporate it automatically, especially in large blocks of text, it can become impractical. For instance, it may complicate copying and repurposing content for reports, emails, or other documents, where clean, straightforward punctuation is preferred.

So, why do these AI systems seem to default to inserting em dashes? Primarily, it stems from the training data—comprising diverse styles of writing from books, websites, and other sources—where such punctuation is prevalent. Additionally, the models aim to produce natural-sounding language that mimics human writing patterns, which sometimes results in the automatic inclusion of stylistic punctuation marks like em dashes.

If this behavior is undesirable for your specific use case, the good news is that many AI tools and chatbot platforms offer ways to customize output. Often, this involves adjusting model settings or directives to minimize or eliminate such punctuation. In some cases, developers can implement prompt engineering techniques or post-processing filters to remove unwanted characters before use.

In summary, while the em dash has its place in formal and creative writing, its automatic inclusion by AI models can be inconvenient for practical applications. Understanding the root cause allows users to better tailor AI outputs to their preferences, ensuring clearer, more utilitarian content without unintended punctuation clutter.