OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has voiced growing concern that social media platforms like X and Reddit are becoming increasingly indistinguishable from bot-driven spaces, with human-generated content now mimicking the stylistic quirks of large language models (LLMs). In a post on X, Altman described having the “strangest experience” reading posts in the r/Claudecode subreddit, where users enthusiastically praised OpenAI’s new AI coding tool, Codex. Despite knowing that Codex’s growth is real, Altman admitted he suspects much of the content is artificial—generated by bots or influenced by AI-generated patterns. He attributed this shift to several interconnected factors. First, real users are increasingly adopting “LLM-speak”—a distinct writing style marked by certain phrasings, punctuation (like em dashes), and tonal patterns that reflect how AI models generate text. Second, the “Extremely Online” crowd tends to congregate and behave in highly correlated ways, amplifying trends and creating echo chambers. Third, the AI hype cycle has become extreme, oscillating between over-enthusiasm and sudden backlash, which fuels polarized discourse. Additionally, social platforms are optimized for engagement, pushing creators to generate content that drives clicks and reactions, often at the expense of authenticity. Altman also hinted that OpenAI itself may have been subject to astroturfing—coordinated efforts by competitors or third parties to manipulate online sentiment—making him extra sensitive to inauthentic activity. This concern echoes a broader trend: as AI tools become more pervasive, their influence seeps into online culture. Altman noted that he didn’t take the “dead internet theory” seriously before, but now he sees a surge in AI-generated content across platforms. Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator, echoed this sentiment, observing that AI-generated posts now come not just from state-backed operations or fake accounts, but from individual would-be influencers trying to gain attention. Even Substack CEO Chris Best warned of a future flooded with “sophisticated AI goon bots” producing low-quality, engagement-driven content designed to keep audiences hooked. Altman’s comments have sparked speculation about ulterior motives. Some suggest this may be a subtle marketing move for OpenAI’s rumored social media platform, which has been reported to be in early development. If such a platform exists, it raises a paradox: how can a network built on AI avoid becoming a bot-dominated space? Research from the University of Amsterdam found that even social networks composed entirely of AI bots eventually form cliques, echo chambers, and tribal behaviors—mirroring human online dynamics. Ultimately, Altman’s reflection underscores a deeper transformation: the line between human and machine-generated content is blurring, not just in AI outputs but in the way people write and engage online. The challenge for platforms, creators, and users alike is to preserve authenticity in an era where AI can replicate not just words, but tone, style, and even social behavior. While Altman’s observations are personal, they reflect a growing unease across the digital landscape—one where the very tools meant to enhance communication may be eroding the trust that underpins it.