We all say we can spot AI hallmarks in a blog post that is clearly created by generative AI, but what actually is a hallmark?
It's come to mean "has characteristics of". But where does that word come from?
Going back hundreds of years in London, people used to bring their precious jewellery and metals to Goldsmiths' Hall. Here they would inspect it and if the gold medallion was deemed gold, they would stamp it with a "hallmark" to say that this was of a particular quality and has been judged by the guild.
You might see other marks such as makers' marks where the maker would etch or stamp their initials or brand into the item too. This gives provenance, whereas the hallmark shows quality.