Enterprise AI Analysis: Deconstructing the Shift in Scientific Readability Post-ChatGPT
An In-Depth Look at Abdulkareem Alsudais's Research and Its Critical Implications for Enterprise AI Strategy
Executive Summary: The AI Influence on Communication is Real and Measurable
A groundbreaking analysis by Abdulkareem Alsudais, "Exploring the Change in Scientific Readability Following the Release of ChatGPT," provides definitive, data-driven evidence of a phenomenon enterprises are just beginning to grapple with: the widespread adoption of Generative AI is fundamentally altering how we write. The study, which analyzed millions of scientific abstracts on arXiv.org from 2010 to 2024, found a steady trend of increasing complexity over the last decade. However, this trend saw a dramatic, statistically significant acceleration immediately following the public release of ChatGPT in late 2022.
For business leaders, this isn't just an academic curiosity. It's a critical signal. The very tools being integrated to boost productivity are silently reshaping corporate communication, often making it more complex, jargon-filled, and less accessible. This "complexity creep" can undermine brand voice, hinder knowledge sharing, and create internal communication barriers. This analysis breaks down the paper's findings, translates them into actionable enterprise strategies, and outlines how custom AI solutions from OwnYourAI.com can help businesses harness the power of LLMs while maintaining full control over their communication style and readability.
Key Findings from the Research at a Glance
The Core Finding: A Visual Timeline of Decreasing Readability
The research reveals a consistent decline in readability (meaning, an increase in complexity) over the past 14 years. However, the data for 2023 and 2024 shows a sharp, unprecedented drop. The chart below reconstructs this core finding, visualizing the average readability scores over time. Note how the Flesch Reading-Ease (FRE) score plummets (lower is harder), while grade-level scores like ARI, CLI, and FKRGL spike (higher is harder), especially after 2022.
Deconstructing the "How": Readability Metrics as Enterprise KPIs
The study utilized four standard metrics to quantify text complexity. Understanding these is key to developing an internal "Content Intelligence" dashboard. For an enterprise, these aren't just scores; they are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for brand voice, internal documentation clarity, and customer communication effectiveness.
The Post-ChatGPT Acceleration: A Quantified Leap in Complexity
While the long-term trend is a slow increase in complexity, the paper's most startling finding is the rate of change after November 2022. The chart below visualizes the year-over-year percentage change in readability scores. The spikes in the 2023 and 2024 data points are dramatic, far exceeding the gradual changes of previous years. This suggests that as scientists began using LLMs for writing and editing assistance, their output became significantly more complex in a very short period.
For enterprises, this is a cautionary tale: without explicit governance, AI-assisted content creation can quickly diverge from established brand and communication standards.
Sector-Specific Insights: AI Adoption is Not Uniform
The study found that while the trend of increasing complexity is widespread, its intensity varies by field. Unsurprisingly, Computer Science (CS) shows one of the most significant shifts, likely due to earlier and more intensive adoption of LLMs. This highlights a crucial enterprise insight: the impact of AI on communication will differ across business units. A "one-size-fits-all" AI policy is insufficient; custom strategies are needed for R&D, marketing, legal, and other departments.
The interactive chart below shows the percentage change in the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKRGL) score across different scientific fields, comparing the pre-ChatGPT era (2021-2022) with the post-ChatGPT era (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). Notice the accelerated complexity increase across almost all fields after 2022.
Is your company's communication becoming unintentionally complex? Let's build a custom AI strategy to ensure clarity and control.
Book a Custom AI Strategy SessionStrategic Implications & Custom AI Solutions for the Enterprise
The trends identified by Alsudais are not inevitable. They are the result of using generic, un-governed AI tools. With a strategic approach, enterprises can leverage AI to *enhance* clarity and consistency. Heres how OwnYourAI.com helps clients turn this challenge into a competitive advantage.
ROI Calculator: The Value of Content Standardization
"Complexity creep" has a real cost: wasted time deciphering dense reports, brand dilution from inconsistent messaging, and onboarding friction from unclear documentation. A custom AI "Style & Readability Engine" provides a measurable return by automating content governance. Use this calculator to estimate the potential savings for your organization.
Test Your Knowledge: The AI Readability Challenge
Based on the findings of the study, test your understanding of how AI is impacting professional writing.
Take Control of Your Enterprise's AI-Powered Voice
The research is clear: generic AI tools are making communication more complex. Don't let your brand voice become an unintended casualty of the AI revolution. OwnYourAI.com specializes in creating custom-trained language models that learn your unique style, vocabulary, and desired readability levels.
We build AI solutions that act as your brand's guardian, ensuring every piece of AI-assisted contentfrom internal memos to external marketingis perfectly aligned with your standards. Empower your team with AI tools that enhance, not obscure, your message.
Discuss Your Custom AI Solution