Will bots make the internet useless for real conversations in the future?

Technology Forum
1

Sometimes when you post online, you already get replies that are clearly written by bots. If AI keeps improving, will it get to a point where you can’t trust any responses? Will it still be possible to make online friends without worrying if they’re bots? Even video calls could be with AI eventually.

How can this be stopped? What can developers do to keep platforms human-focused? Do you think the internet will remain a place to connect with real people? It makes me sad because if you’re lonely, online interaction can help. But who wants to talk to bots?

2

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3

I think smaller, niche websites will come back. They’ll focus on real human interaction, light moderation, no ads, and verified users. It’ll be like the forums we had before smartphones took over.

I’m already cutting back on my time here because it feels like these big platforms are heading in the wrong direction.

4

@Val
How would verification even work? AI-generated IDs or photos could be faked pretty easily soon.

5

Lyle said:
@Val
How would verification even work? AI-generated IDs or photos could be faked pretty easily soon.

Good point. I guess if they come up with a reliable method, that would be great. Everyone needs spaces where they know they’re talking to actual people.

6

Lyle said:
@Val
How would verification even work? AI-generated IDs or photos could be faked pretty easily soon.

In Norway, we use BankID for strict verification. It ties your account to your real identity.

7

Lyle said:
@Val
How would verification even work? AI-generated IDs or photos could be faked pretty easily soon.

The only way might be to link online activity to a verified internet identity. It would limit how much content bots could create without exposing themselves.

8

Lyle said:
@Val
How would verification even work? AI-generated IDs or photos could be faked pretty easily soon.

Make users pay to post. That would make bot farms too expensive while being affordable for individuals.

9

AI will probably dominate online spaces soon. From forums to streaming platforms, bots will be everywhere. Some people might move to platforms where everyone is verified, like with ID checks. Those systems already exist for things like renting or job applications.

10

@Lian
What’s to stop someone from verifying their account and then using bots anyway? Verification might reduce the problem but won’t eliminate it.

11

Morgan said:
@Lian
What’s to stop someone from verifying their account and then using bots anyway? Verification might reduce the problem but won’t eliminate it.

Some companies cross-check your ID against databases to make sure it’s legit. That’s how they could enforce it.

12

@Lian
That’s naive.

13

Honestly, I already talk to AI more than humans online. With all the fake content, it’s only going to get worse.

14

Yes. There’s nothing you can do about it.

15

Fifer said:
Yes. There’s nothing you can do about it.

You can always go outside and talk to real people.

16

Mainstream sites will lose their purpose for real conversations.

17

This reminds me of the ‘dead internet theory.’ As AI dominates, many people might just leave big platforms and find smaller, human-focused spaces. Capitalism and AI already affect creativity—maybe this will be the next thing to break.

18

Nope. Next question?

19

Check out ‘proof-of-personhood.’ It’s a concept for keeping the internet human-friendly.

20

Eventually, bots will outnumber us. We’ll just be digital ghosts.