The launch of OpenAI’s Sora has sparked intense debate about the future of social media and the role of human creators. Michael Mignano, a partner at Lightspeed Ventures, believes the technology marks the beginning of a "whole new chapter for the internet" — one where individual creators could become "far, far, far less valuable." Speaking on the podcast Sourcery, Mignano argued that AI-generated video, especially with the level of realism Sora demonstrates, will enable content to be produced instantly and hyper-personalized to each viewer. This shift, he said, could eliminate the need for human creators to produce content at scale. “That’s why the TikTok algorithm is so powerful,” he noted. “But it still requires human beings to make the content, and there’s a cost to that.” With AI, that cost could drop dramatically — but at the expense of human creators. Mignano, who co-founded Aviary and Anchor and now leads AI investments at Lightspeed, acknowledged the emotional toll of this transformation. He described the potential "end of the creator" as "devastating," but also inevitable. He believes the internet is entering an era where algorithmic efficiency and artificial content dominate, echoing concerns raised by figures like Alexis Ohanian and Sam Altman about the so-called "dead internet theory" — the idea that bots now outnumber real users online. AI influencers are already appearing on Instagram, and TikTok Shop has been flooded with AI-generated scams. Even seemingly wholesome content — like videos of bunnies bouncing on trampolines — is often AI-made. While current AI video tools aren’t yet capable of perfectly tailored, on-demand content, the trajectory is clear. Still, Mignano sees a path forward for human creators. In an email to Business Insider, he emphasized that authenticity and originality will become the last competitive advantages. “Platforms will no longer reward humans posting the same old, tried and true formats and memes,” he wrote. “Instead, true uniqueness of image, likeness, and creativity will be the only viable path for human-created content.” As the internet evolves, the focus may shift from mass appeal to rare, genuine expression. The era of the viral megastar may be fading, replaced by niche audiences and hyper-personalized experiences. For creators, survival may depend not on volume or trend-following, but on what only they can bring: a distinct voice, presence, and vision.