What is Dead Internet Theory and Could it Change the Web?

Should You Be Concerned?

While the majority of AI click-bait images should be considered harmless, the mass production of this spam content could also have more sinister implications, according to some experts.

For example, a report from the Stanford Internet Observatory found that many accounts behind AI images like Shrimp Jesus are guilty of trying to sell products that don’t exist, getting users to divulge personalized details from users, or stealing the pages from other Facebook users in the first place.

The majority of users interacting with this content also appear to be oblivious that images aren’t being generated by humans, emphasizing the importance of platforms like Facebook labelling this type of content, and ensuring additional transparency methods are rolled out going forward.

However, contrary to the beliefs of more radical proponents of the dead internet theory, it’s very unlikely that the recent proliferation of AI content is part of a pre-meditated effort to control and manipulate regular internet users. More feasibly, it is a symptom of speedy technological advancements outpacing regulations surrounding its use, as the US government continues to play catch up when it comes to AI regulation.

With the US unlikely to announce sweeping AI laws anytime soon, we recommend staying clear from spammy-looking AI-generated content on social media platforms and reporting any activity that looks suspicious or potentially harmful. As cybercriminals continue to use artificial intelligence as their weapon of choice, we also advise keeping your eyes peeled for increasingly advanced phishing attempts like AI voice cloning and AI social media scams.

Learn more about AI scams, and how to avoid them here.