Grammarly Overhauls Design, Adds AI Assistant & Detection Tools
Grammarly has unveiled a significant overhaul of its platform, introducing a new document-based interface and an array of advanced artificial intelligence features designed to assist both students and professionals. This revamped interface is built upon the technology of Coda, the productivity startup Grammarly acquired last year, marking a strategic integration of its capabilities.
The core of the new design adopts a flexible, “block-first” approach, empowering users to easily incorporate elements such as tables, columns, separators, and custom headers directly into their documents. It also supports rich text blocks, allowing for the highlighting of critical information or the inclusion of instructional tips and alerts, enhancing document clarity and organization. Complementing this structural flexibility, a dedicated sidebar now hosts an AI assistant, capable of summarizing lengthy texts, answering user queries, and offering context-aware writing suggestions, streamlining the drafting and editing process.
Beyond the general AI assistant, Grammarly has introduced several specialized AI tools tailored for specific writing needs. The “Reader Reactions” feature enables users to select a particular reader persona and receive feedback on their writing, simulating how different audiences might perceive the content. For academic users, the “Grader” tool provides detailed feedback on assignments, aligning with instructor guidelines and publicly available course materials. The “Citation Finder” simplifies the often tedious task of academic referencing by helping users locate and generate citations from public sources, while the “Paraphraser” allows for the quick modification of a text’s tone to suit various preferences, from formal to casual.
In a move addressing growing concerns about digital integrity, Grammarly has also integrated sophisticated “agents” designed to detect plagiarism and identify AI-generated content. Luke Behnke, Grammarly’s VP of enterprise product, acknowledged that AI content detection can be inconsistent. However, he emphasized to TechCrunch that the company has meticulously calibrated its detection agent to achieve market-leading accuracy. Behnke clarified the tool’s primary purpose, stating, “The goal here is not to provide an enforcement mechanism for teachers… But this [AI detector tool] is about providing a window to students into what could be AI-generated text in their writing before they submit.” This approach underscores a commitment to educating students about the ethical use of AI, rather than merely policing its presence.
This dual focus—providing tools to help students write with AI while also enabling the detection of AI-generated content—presents an interesting balance. Grammarly asserts it has a “moral imperative” to equip students with the skills to effectively use AI, preparing them for an increasingly AI-driven workforce. This strategic direction aligns with Grammarly’s broader ambition to embed more AI agents across its product ecosystem, a vision reinforced by its acquisition of the email client Superhuman last month. The company’s expansion efforts are well-supported, having raised a substantial $1 billion from General Catalyst in May, earmarked for future acquisitions and the bolstering of its sales and marketing initiatives.