At its roots, the Internet was as a place for enthusiasts to share information and learn from each other. As it became more accessible to the general public over the years, it has been used more and more as a means of generating profit through sales and entertainment. We are now witnessing a third phase—AI-generated content is beginning to reshape the web.
Nowadays, AI-generated content fills social media in unexpected ways - stories, videos, images, and posts. It's not some Skynet; people use AI to produce as much content as possible to maximize their profit. Humans have always tried to optimize their output/input ratio, but this time, it might be more transformative to the world.
Just recently, I saw a post on Facebook featuring two pictures of a “couple”—one from now and one from 80 years ago. They were allegedly happily married for this long. Of course, these people didn't exist; AI generated both images, which was noticeable due to minor details in the images. While it was possible to differentiate the fakes in this instance, many AI-generated images appear entirely normal and indistinguishable from real ones. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you’ll be able to recognize a fake—you won't.
If this is what's happening now, can you imagine how it will improve in 5 or even 10 years? The Internet is slowly turning into a Matrix, and we can observe this in the present day. If you Google “baby peacock,” you’ll find that half the images on the first page are AI-generated. And you can’t be sure about the ones that appear to be real.
"Dead Internet" Theory
Some speculate that already, the internet is well on its way to becoming what is called the "Dead Internet": where all information is not created by humans anymore, but by automated bots and AI. It's a theory that suggests much of what we may be meeting online could actually be artificially generated in ways to create an illusion amongst us of a busy and diverse digital world, when in reality, the content we’d be viewing is void of any genuine human origin. That's an interesting, unnerving hypothesis—the Internet is gradually becoming an illusion network, wherein human voices are in danger of being drowned under fakes.
Misinformation and Influence
In the wrong hands, if someone is willing to put their time and mind into it, AI can be easily used to spread misinformation through social media, support political views or even create cults. With AI's ability to generate at-first-look believable stories, it’s straightforward and too easy to influence public opinion.
Consider political propaganda. It’s not just about catchy slogans or flashy ads; it’s about how carefully crafted messages can steer our thoughts and emotions. These AI-generated posts can slip into our feeds and shape our perceptions without us even realizing it. Over time, the lines between what’s real and what’s fabricated will begin to blur. We might find ourselves questioning the very information we consume.
Ethical Implications of AI Content Creation
Putting aside problems of credibility and power that AI can give to anyone, there is an issue of ethics involved in AI flooding over social media. Is it ok to enjoy content created by the use of AI (or rather very soon created by AI) or is that something humanity should stay away from?
First off, there’s the big worry about authenticity. When we consume content, we often (even if we don’t realize it) are looking for a connection to other people's thoughts and feelings. But with AI-generated content, that human touch is missing. It’s like enjoying a meal that looks delicious but has no flavour—there’s no real emotion or intention behind it.
Then there’s the impact on human creativity. Think about all the artists, writers, and creators who pour their hearts into their work, infusing it with their unique perspectives and experiences. In contrast, AI creates content based on algorithms and data, which can lead to a bland feeling of ideas, which might discourage people from pursuing their own passions. We also must consider the ethical side of things, particularly when it comes to exploitation. Some companies have already began relying heavily on AI for content creation, resulting in job losses for the brilliant people who depend on their creativity for a living.
The Potential of AI
I am not throwing shade at AI without admitting that it can be used for good on the Internet - this article is more of a philosophical pondering and raising the awareness of possible problems that come with such rapid technological advancement. There is a lot of good AI could do for content and art of all sorts.
Considering how we’ve dealt with similar changes in the past is helpful and instructive. Take photography, for example. When it first hit the scene, many artists worried it would spell the end for traditional art forms like painting. But instead of disappearing, painters adapted, using photography to inspire new styles and ideas. The same goes for film—initially, there were fears that it would shallow storytelling. Despite that, it opened up new ways to share stories, blending visuals, sound, and motion. Just as with photography and film, AI is a tool that can inspire creativity rather than stifle it.