ChatGPT boss fuels fears the ‘dead internet theory’ is true

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ChatGPT boss fuels fears the ‘dead internet theory’ is true

Ana Zirojević 2025-09-05

Although the ‘dead internet theory,’ which suggests that the majority of content and apparent people online are actually automatically generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, has many critics, the CEO of ChatGPT creators OpenAI has hinted it might be true.

Specifically, although Altman himself was previously skeptical of the conspiracy theory that the internet is, for the most part, ‘dead’ due to the overwhelming bot presence and content and failed attempts at their crackdowns, now he wasn’t so sure about his stance, saying as much in his X post on September 4.

i never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now

— Sam Altman (@sama) September 3, 2025

As it happens, the OpenAI chief executive was referring to large language models (LLMs), the technology underpinning ChatGPT and other similar products like Google Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and DeepSeek, and his statement has already caused uproar.

Who’s to blame for dead internet?

Notably, some have suggested that Altman himself was partially to blame as his company had directly contributed to the problem with the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, which triggered an explosion in generative AI models, making it easier for malicious users to automatically generate content and post online.

yeah dummy it's your fault

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— Is this a 3D model? (@IsThisA3DModel) September 3, 2025

Others have opined that this might be Altman’s way to promote World Network, previously known as Worldcoin, which he established in 2019 with an aim to deliver a way for humans to prove their real identity online by scanning their eyes, as its very focus was addressing the dead internet theory.

Isn’t the dead internet theory the entire thesis behind @worldcoin ??

— David Hoffman (@TrustlessState) September 3, 2025

Elsewhere, Brazil earlier this year shut down World Network’s World ID eye-scanning cryptocurrency payouts, its National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) ordering the company to stop offering crypto or financial incentives for collecting biometric data from its citizens.

Meanwhile, OpenAI has started collaborating with the United States government agencies, launching a specialized version of its flagship AI model called ChatGPT Gov, which the company said offers the “most powerful version” of OpenAI’s technology.

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Tags:

Altman

Artificial Intelligence

large language models

Ana Zirojević Crypto journalist and market analyst with 7+ years of experience covering digital assets, blockchain technology, and data-driven market analysis.