Artificial intelligence has democratized polished writing, so the typo is starting to take on a new meaning. What for decades has been interpreted as carelessness or lack of professionalism is now beginning to be read, in certain environments, as a sign of authenticity and even status. The hypothesis is that when anyone can write impeccably thanks to tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly, imperfection becomes something different.

From Business Insider have picked up on this trend, ironically formulated under the concept of “typomaxxing”, that is, the deliberate practice of introducing errors such as grammatical errors to convey that the message has been written without technological assistance. In his analysis, this type of writing functions as a cultural marker that distinguishes the human from the automated in an increasingly homogeneous communicative ecosystem.

The idea finds its support in dynamics already observed in corporate environments. As pointed out The Wall Street Journalsome high-powered profiles have begun to abandon the traditional conventions of formal writing. Cases such as that of Jack Dorsey, who reported layoffs in lowercase letters, or obvious errors in messages between executives, illustrate a conscious relaxation of linguistic norms. In these contexts, correction is no longer a priority over speed, authority or closeness.

This evolution responds to a profound transformation in the perception of language. Deborah Tannen, a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, points out that ignoring grammar can simultaneously function as a gesture of power or familiarity. At one extreme, it communicates hierarchy: “I don’t need to care about form”; in the other, closeness: “There is no need for formality between us.” In both cases, the message moves away from neutrality.

The emergence of artificial intelligence has intensified this paradigm shift. If writing correctly previously required effort and competence, today it can be achieved with a simple prompt. This reduces the perceived value of impeccable text and shifts the focus toward intent and authorship. In this new scenario, a perfectly written email can be interpreted as generic or impersonal, while one with imperfections suggests direct intervention and own thought.

There is even a reversal of the code: the error-free text becomes what is called “workslop”, functional content but without differential value, associated with automation. Faced with this, the manually written message with its inconsistencies acquires a more artisanal dimension. Imperfection, in this sense, acts as proof of the human origin of a specific text.

This phenomenon connects with a broader trend in marketing and communication: the revaluation of the imperfect as a symbol of authenticity. Just as in the design or production of content visible textures, errors or processes are recovered to reinforce credibility, language begins to adopt that same logic to move away from an environment saturated with optimized messages, in a bid to be more truthful.

However, the adoption of this code is not universal nor is it free of nuances. The hierarchical context continues to be decisive and, while for a CEO a short and careless email can be interpreted as efficiency or authority, in intermediate profiles it can be perceived as a lack of professionalism or even discourtesy.

Ultimately, the trend reflects a growing tension between automation and individual expression. As artificial intelligence redefines quality standards in written communication, new codes emerge to differentiate the human. And, in that process, something as basic as a typo can become a sign loaded with meaning.