Is the internet already "dead"? A resurfaced conspiracy theory known as the Dead Internet Theory is making waves across platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and Facebook — and this time, artificial intelligence is front and center.

What Is the Dead Internet Theory?

First gaining traction in 2021 on forums like 4chan and Wizardchan, the Dead Internet Theory suggests that the internet we know largely "died" around 2016. According to believers, what we see online today is dominated by bots, AI-generated content, and carefully engineered manipulation — not genuine human interaction.

The theory exploded once again in 2024 with bizarre viral images like Shrimp Jesus, Challah Horse, and a 386-year-old granny baking her own birthday cake. Initially mistaken for memes, they were later revealed to be products of Facebook's generative AI — sparking alarm and curiosity in equal measure.

From Shrimp Jesus to Spammy Comments

TikTok creators like SideMoneyTom have highlighted how AI-generated content has infiltrated mainstream platforms. Many of these viral images are posted by accounts that seem eerily robotic — with suspicious bios, little engagement, and nonsensical comments.

These odd patterns aren’t isolated. In late 2023, Reddit threads were flooded with user complaints about “reply bots” on Bluesky and other platforms. Most tell-tale signs include:

• Generic or overly specific bios

• AI-generated profile pictures

• New accounts with high reply activity

• Follower-to-like ratios that don’t add up

• Scam-like or off-topic comments

Nearly Half of Internet Traffic Is Bots

According to cybersecurity firm Imperva, 49.6% of all internet traffic in 2023 came from bots — with "bad bots" accounting for nearly one-third. These include bots that steal data, perform account takeovers, and launch DDoS attacks.

AI's role? Imperva’s report suggests that the accessibility of generative AI tools has empowered even non-technical users to build bots, contributing to the exponential growth of this hidden traffic.

The Internet Isn’t Dying — It’s Evolving

Despite the dystopian buzz, experts suggest we may be witnessing a transformation — not a death.

Sofie Hvitved, tech futurist and senior advisor at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, explains:

“The internet as we know it is decomposing. It’s shifting toward a more personalized, contextual experience shaped by AI.”

Hvitved notes that future digital experiences may abandon static pages for dynamic, real-time summaries, interactive formats, and knowledge graphs tailored to each individual.

Human vs. AI: Who Wins the Culture War?

One of the core concerns: Can AI completely replace human creativity? From musicians and writers to podcasters and indie artists, many fear generative AI tools could drown out original human-made content.

The Harvard Business Review warns that generative AI poses the biggest threat to independent creators, raising critical questions:
What happens when AI content overtakes human content? Will shared digital communities become obsolete?

Hvitved fears this shift could erode common ground online:

“We might end up in echo chambers — isolated experiences where there’s no shared reality anymore.”

Final Take

The Dead Internet Theory may not be literally true, but it captures a very real anxiety: As AI content proliferates, the line between real and artificial is blurring. While the internet might not be dead, it's certainly changing — and whether that future feels alive or hollow may depend on how we adapt to this AI-powered evolution.