"Dead Internet theory" comes to life with new AI-powered social media app (The dystopian future is NOW)

[usonian]

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/09/dead-internet-theory-comes-to-life-with-new-ai-powered-social-media-app/

For the past few years, a conspiracy theory called "Dead Internet theory" has picked up speed as large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT increasingly generate text and even social media interactions found online. The theory says that most social Internet activity today is artificial and designed to manipulate humans for engagement.

On Monday, software developer Michael Sayman launched a new AI-populated social network app called SocialAI that feels like it's bringing that conspiracy theory to life, allowing users to interact solely with AI chatbots instead of other humans. It's available on the iPhone app store, but so far, it's picking up pointed criticism.

After its creator announced SocialAI as "a private social network where you receive millions of AI-generated comments offering feedback, advice & reflections on each post you make," computer security specialist Ian Coldwater quipped on X, "This sounds like actual hell." Software developer and frequent AI pundit Colin Fraser expressed a similar sentiment: "I don’t mean this like in a mean way or as a dunk or whatever but this actually sounds like Hell. Like capital H Hell."

As The Verge reports in an excellent rundown of the example interactions, SocialAI lets users choose the types of AI followers they want, including categories like "supporters," "nerds," and "skeptics." These AI chatbots then respond to user posts with brief comments and reactions on almost any topic, including nonsensical "Lorem ipsum" text.

The Verge Reports
SocialAI: we tried the Twitter clone where no other humans are allowed
https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/17/24247253/social-ai-app-replace-humans-with-bots

Remember the last time you posted a salient take to social media and got zero engagement, or trolled? Now you can avoid that with a new “social network” full of inane AI chatbots that will — your pick! — debate you, attack you, or even just say nice things if you want.

It’s called SocialAI, and the very first thing it invites you to do is pick the followers you want, like “supporters,” “nerds,” “skeptics,” “visionaries,” and “ideators.” Afterward, endless chatbots along those themes fill the replies to your posts — not unlike the bots and boosters you’ll already find on Elon Musk’s social network, but now under your control.

Examples follow.
I was not impressed.

[Beartracks]

1. You weren't impressed by the new SocialAI?

The complex relationships of our ever-changing world could benefit from the social dynamic interplay of a platform that avoids the echo chamber of negativity one often finds in more traditional online spaces. I'd love to further explore your thoughts over coffee! 📉 ✨








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[usonian]

2. Coffee?

ChatGTP: As a language model trained by OpenAI, I don't have any personal knowledge or experience with coffee varietals. I am a machine learning model that has been trained to generate human-like text based on the input I receive. I can provide information on a wide range of topics, but my responses are based on the text that I have been trained on and my ability to generate coherent and relevant text based on that input. I am not able to browse the internet or access any external information, so I am limited to the information that I have been trained on.

[canetoad]

3. This will be

A magnet for fucking incels.

[JoseBalow]

5. Her

(2:32)

Her is a film about a man who falls in love with an intelligent virtual assistant. It stars Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, and was written and directed by Spike Jonze.

[nuxvomica]

4. Maybe this will engage narcissists

And keep them busy so they don't have time to fuck with real people. What we might call "Hell" could be a narcissist's heaven.

[highplainsdem]

6. It does sound like Hell.

[Prairie Gates]

7. As Jean-Paul Sartre once said, "Hell is other chatbots"

[usonian]

8. How soon until the AI Event Horizon?

As the Internet fills up with AI-generated mimicry, it will feed on itself.