The internet is dead, long live the internet

The internet as we knew it might be dead and gone. The Dead Internet theory has been around for almost a decade, but the conspiracy now seems closer than ever to becoming a reality. What believers claim is that most of the content and activity we see on the internet is populated by bots, and now, AI. AI bots are being used to generate posts created specifically to maximize online engagement on social media platforms. But the only ones engaging with artificial posts? Other AI bots.

Is the online world even for humans anymore? With AI seemingly making leaps of progress everyday, people are now having trouble identifying what’s real and what’s not. Online shopping scams are already on the rise thanks to the power of AI-generated images and deepfake technology. But that’s not the worst of it. More malicious applications of sophisticated tech would be to pollute digital town squares with sponsored disinformation and propaganda, steering people’s opinions to the benefit of the highest bidder or trapping them in echo chambers of bias, all under the guise of an online community.

But there are more material ways a dead internet will harm humanity. The reliance on LLMs like ChatGPT and other AI bots — which have a seemingly unstoppable tendency to hallucinate — as search engines means that people will stop consulting the expertise of real humans being published online, putting us at risk of consuming and accepting false information without question. And as AI agents start operating on social media, genuine human experiences, insights, and discussions could become increasingly difficult to find amid a sea of synthetic content.

The economy could take a hit: Increasing AI bot engagement could distort the market by creating false signals that could lead to businesses making decisions based on seemingly popular trends or consumer preferences that are actually being manufactured by bots. The digital advertising ecosystem — a major source of revenue for Big Tech — could face severe disruption when the bulk of the traffic and engagement comes from non-human sources. Once advertisers realize that they aren’t reaching enough real customers, internet publishers will see a collapse in CPM (cost per thousand impressions) and a shift away from digital advertising, which threatens the revenue model that supports much of the free internet.

What can we do? As digital literacy declines across the board, even — and maybe especially — among the younger generations who were heralded as digital natives, it becomes increasingly important to develop the ability to recognize AI-generated posts and pictures, fact check information being circulated widely, and distinguish between credible sources and AI slop.

Can we save the internet? Maybe, but not easily. Traditional verification systems like CAPTCHA are not discerning enough to keep out the bots. But implementing more sophisticated proof-of-personhood protocols could be a threat to our data and our privacy. Online platforms will need to redesign their algorithms to favor meaningful engagement over raw metrics to encourage genuine content creation and authentic online communities. Community-based content validation mechanisms could help maintain content quality without relying on automated moderation, says the Harvard Business Review, but it doesn’t solve the root problem. A possible holistic solution for this would be to increase ISP responsibility for network security, writes HBR.

The 2025 Grammys are done and dusted. Here’s what went down. Beyoncé made Grammy history with her Album of the Year win by being the first Black artist to clinch the title, silently addressing years of criticism over the Recording Academy’s past snubs. Her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, led the nominations with 11 nods. But she didn’t stop there — her collaboration with Miley Cyrus on II Most Wanted took home Best Country Duo Performance.

Kendrick takes it all: Kendrick Lamar dominated the rap categories with his track Not Like Us, which set a new Grammy record with five awards in a single night. K Dot went home with Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and also secured Record of the Year for the single.

Rising pop star Sabrina Carpenter had a breakthrough night, winning Best Pop Album for Short N’ Sweet and Best Pop Solo Performance for her viral hit Espresso. Other notable victories include Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s Die With a Smile for Best Pop Duo Performance, newcomer Chappell Roan claiming Best New Artist, and Shakira taking home Best Latin Album.

On a deeper note (pun not intended): The ceremony included a few somber moments, most notably honoring Liam Payne, a former member of UK boy band One Direction, who passed away a few months ago. Artists showed solidarity with the California wildfire victims by wearing blue heart pins on the red carpet and through acceptance speeches throughout the ceremony. Meanwhile, fans of Taylor Swift were left disappointed, conspiracy theories in tow, as the artist — who usually goes home with armfuls of awards — left the Grammys empty handed.