OpenAI CEO Sam Altman weighs in on 'dead internet theory': Are LLM-run accounts turning the conspiracy claims into reality?

What was once dismissed as a fringe conspiracy now has the attention of one of the most influential figures in tech. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently suggested that the much-debated “dead internet theory” may hold some truth after all, pointing to the rising number of large language model (LLM)–run accounts on social media.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Altman posted: “I never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now.”

i never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now

— Sam Altman (@sama) September 3, 2025

What is the dead internet theory?
The theory emerged online around 2016, arguing that human voices on the web have been steadily displaced by bots and algorithm-driven content. Proponents claim much of what we see online is manufactured—either to influence public opinion, manipulate consumer choices, or subtly control narratives.

According to a review of the theory published in multiple sources, including New York Magazine, it has two key strands:

• Displacement of human activity: bots and algorithmic curation now dominate what users encounter.
• Coordinated control: governments and corporations may be intentionally curating content, limiting genuine interaction, and amplifying artificial voices.

While researchers caution that there is no evidence of a vast state-run conspiracy, the measurable rise of bot traffic and “link rot” has added fuel to the debate.

Altman’s comment ignites fresh debate
Altman’s acknowledgement has sparked wide reactions online. Many users on X shared personal experiences of encountering suspiciously repetitive or AI-generated replies, while others questioned the irony of the statement—given OpenAI’s own role in mainstreaming AI.

One user remarked: “Being a real person, with real thoughts, who makes mistakes publicly, is actually very positive. Some of my favorite people on here are those people.”
Another pointed out the contradiction: “You are the single most responsible person for it? Do something about it?”

From theory to lived reality?
The dead internet theory may have begun as a conspiratorial narrative, but Altman’s comments suggest that the growing presence of AI-generated accounts is no longer hypothetical. Whether this trend represents a controlled manipulation of online spaces or simply the unintended consequence of rapid AI adoption remains a question.

What is clear is that the internet as we know it is shifting. As Altman himself notes, there are “really a lot” of AI-driven accounts out there. For users navigating feeds crowded with both human and artificial voices, the line between authentic conversation and machine-generated chatter is becoming harder to draw.