"Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian claims that much of today’s internet is ‘dead,’ flooded with bots, AI content, and engagement slop instead of real human creativity."
Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian has set off a major debate after declaring that “much of the internet is now dead.” His warning, shared during a conversation on The Best People Network (TBPN), has reignited discussions about the growing influence of AI, bots, and low-quality engagement content across social platforms.
Why Does Ohanian Think the Internet Is ‘Dead’?
Ohanian described today’s web as a “botted” or “quasi-AI” ecosystem—dominated by repetitive, algorithmic content instead of authentic human creativity. He pointed to what he called “LinkedIn slop,” meaning posts designed purely to attract engagement without offering genuine insight or value.
“Much of the internet is now dead,” Ohanian said, referring to the endless flood of AI-generated content and engagement farms that have replaced real interaction.
Evidence: Bots Now Outnumber Humans Online
Ohanian’s claim isn’t just an opinion—it’s backed by data. According to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report, automated systems made up 51% of all web traffic in 2024. That’s the first time bots have overtaken human users in over a decade. Even more concerning, “bad bots” (used for fraud, scraping, or fake activity) rose from 32% to 37% in just one year.
| Year | Bot Traffic % | Human Traffic % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 47% | 53% |
| 2024 | 51% | 49% |
Is the ‘Dead Internet Theory’ Becoming Real?
Originally dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the Dead Internet Theory argues that most online content today is synthetic—created by AI, corporations, or algorithms rather than humans. Ohanian’s warning, alongside similar concerns from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is giving the idea new traction. Altman even admitted that he sees “a lot of LLM-run Twitter accounts,” raising alarms about AI echo chambers consuming their own content.
When AI Slop Fools Humans
One viral example was Reddit’s “Pound Cake” story—an emotional post about a plus-sized cat that turned out to be entirely AI-generated. It fooled thousands of users, showing just how easily synthetic narratives can pass as real human stories.
Where Are Real Conversations Happening Now?
As public platforms get noisier, Ohanian believes authentic conversation is moving elsewhere—to smaller, private spaces like Signal and Discord. “It’s all going down in the group chats now,” he said, suggesting that private communities have become digital refuges from algorithmic manipulation. However, even these spaces are starting to integrate AI chat assistants, blurring the line between human and synthetic presence.
Can ‘Proof of Life’ Save the Internet?
Ohanian envisions a new phase he calls the ‘Proof of Life Internet’—a web that prioritizes verifiably human participation. He predicts a rise in social platforms that reward transparency and real-time content, where creators prove they are genuinely human rather than automated or filtered through AI.
Reactions from the Tech World
Publications like Forbes and The Indian Express have echoed these concerns. Experts warn that AI-generated content is creating a “hallucination loop,” where bots produce and consume their own material—further eroding online credibility.
Key Takeaway
The “dead internet” conversation isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about survival. As AI-generated slop increases, users and creators must push for transparency, accountability, and systems that protect authentic voices online.
FAQs
- What is the Dead Internet Theory? It’s the belief that most online content is now synthetic or bot-generated rather than created by real people.
- Are bots really more active than humans online? Yes, reports like Imperva’s 2025 study show bots made up over half of all internet traffic in 2024.
- How can the internet become ‘alive’ again? Through verification systems, live content, and digital spaces that prioritize authentic human interaction.
