Will AI accounts make social networks unusable in the future? Social media platforms face many issues, such as fake news, hate speech, and flawed algorithms. However, one problem is so significant that it could signal the end of these platforms. Surprisingly, companies like Meta, X, and TikTok might be accelerating their own downfall with their strategies.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, sees generative AI as a significant opportunity. Since late 2023, Meta has been testing 28 different AI characters on its platforms. These AI characters post content and chat with users, and they are almost indistinguishable from real users except for a small indicator. This raises ethical questions and undermines the core idea of social platforms: connecting people. With AI accounts in the mix, it’s hard to tell who is real and who isn’t, increasing skepticism towards other users on the platform.
Spam has been part of the internet for as long as the internet has existed, and it is prevalent on social networks. Fake accounts, boosted likes, phishing messages, and dubious offers are common. AI is now intensifying this process. For users, this means they have to be more vigilant and prepared for more annoyances. However, for platform operators like Instagram and X, these bots are beneficial as they inflate user numbers, making the platforms more attractive to advertisers.
Spam is not only increasing but also becoming more sophisticated. Experts warned in 2023 that AI would change spam messages. Fake accounts are easier to automate, and the messages they send seem more genuine. AI tools like ChatGPT are already being used to spread fake news on platforms like X.
The trend is clear: AI accounts and AI-generated content are on the rise in social networks. Authentic human interactions are becoming rarer on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. This shift is reflected in user engagement. According to a global survey by Statista and the consulting agency Kepios, the daily time spent on social networks decreased for the first time since records began. In 2023, people spent 151 minutes per day on social media, but in 2024, this dropped to 143 minutes, nearly reverting to 2018 levels.
Some people even consider the internet to be “dead.” Adherents of the Dead-Internet Theory believe that the internet is now mostly composed of bot activities and automatically generated content. Although this is a conspiracy theory, it highlights growing doubts about social media accounts. If skepticism becomes widespread, social networks could lose their value and become unusable due to AI in the future.