This is a podcast titled "Is 2025 the Year of the 'Dead Internet'?" recorded in February 2025 featuring Jim Carter III as the host. The episode explores the Dead Internet theory, discussing the rise of AI-generated content and bots dominating online traffic, the implications for authenticity and human connection on the Internet, and strategies to balance AI use with genuine human interaction. Jim Carter III also shares his own experiments with AI-driven content automation and invites listeners to engage with his community for further exploration of AI in creative work.
Have you heard of the Dead Internet theory? Well, today we're going to dive into this fascinating and somewhat unsettling topic that's been getting a lot of attention lately. If you're new here, I'm your host, Jim Carter. And if you enjoy this episode, make sure to follow the prompt to stay up to date with all the latest in AI, as there are some great episodes to come. Okay, so the Dead Internet theory. If you're not familiar with this idea, get ready because it's a wild ride. The Dead Internet theory suggests that a big part of the Internet has been taken over by bots and AI generated content and automated interactions. Basically, it says the Internet is becoming less about people and more about machines. And the numbers to back it up might surprise you. Back in 2023, nearly half of all Internet traffic was already automated. That's right, 49.6% of online activity came from bots and AI systems. And it's only been growing since then. Some experts even predict that by 2026, bots could make up to 90% of online traffic. Think about that for a moment. Nine out of 10 interactions online could be driven by machines rather than real people. It's a mind blowing thought. So why is this happening? Well, a big reason is the rise of AI and its ability to create content that's almost the same as what humans make. Tools like ChatGPT and image generators are making it easier than ever to fill the Internet with AI generated posts, images and videos. As this AI generated content spreads, it can start to drown out real human voices. So search engines and social platforms often prioritize this automated SEO optimized material, hiding genuine content in the process. Now, I want to be clear. I'm a big fan of using AI to make our lives more efficient and creative. I use it myself and encourage others to do the same. But we have to be careful about the possible downsides of a completely automated Internet. When bots flood the web, finding trustworthy, genuine content becomes a real challenge. AI can simulate emotions and insights, but it can't replicate the depth and nuance of real human experiences. And as more of our interactions feel artificial, it erodes the trust and authenticity that make the Internet so valuable. So what can we do about it? I think the key is to find a balance to combine the benefits of AI with the irreplaceable value of human connection. Here are a few ideas. First, lead with humanity. Share your personal stories, emotions and experiences. Bots can't replicate the power of lived moments. Second, engage directly. Build meaningful connections in spaces like email, newsletters or smaller community platforms where human interaction still thrives. Third, stay curious. Learn about how AI is shaping the Internet so you can navigate it more effectively and make intentional choices about your online presence. Fourth, set standards. Use AI responsibly. Let it support your creativity, not replace it. Be transparent about when you're using AI to build trust with your audience. And finally, be honest. If AI is part of your work, own it. You're not trying to deceive anyone. You're using these tools to better serve your audience. The Internet is changing fast, but we don't have to lose what makes it special the potential for real connections between real people. In fact, I've been doing some serious work on this myself. For the past month I've been experimenting with AI driven content automation behind the scenes. It's a way for me to test out the strategies I've learned over the years and see how they can be applied to new channels and the early results are really promising. I call it Project A I S E o Mote and I'll be sharing parts of it with my BARA AI customers for their podcasts and channels in the coming months. AI is a big part of this, but the direction and focus come from my decade plus of experience in SEO and content marketing and I'm leaning into the fact that AI plays a significant role. If you're curious about the inner workings of this AI driven podcasting venture, I'm an open book. I'm building this in the public eye and inside my Slack community. It's a safe space where we explore the strategies, the scripts, the workflows of AI and podcasting, among so many other topics you can take advantage of. If you're interested, join us@fastfoundations.com Slack to be a part of this and maybe even find ways to use AI for your own show and creative efforts at a fraction of the cost of hiring my team or me one on one. Send me a DM and let me know what you think of the Dead Internet theory. I'd love to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for tuning in. Let's keep exploring the boundaries of what's possible with AI prompt at a time. Until next time, stay curious and stay connected.
