X Shareholder Sam Altman’s Revelatory Insights on Bot Influence in Social Media

X shareholder and AI enthusiast Sam Altman recently had a realization: Bots are making it increasingly difficult to identify whether social media content is authored by real humans. He shared his thoughts on this phenomenon in a recent post.

The Epiphany from r/Claudecode Subreddit

Altman’s revelation emerged while he was engaging with posts from the r/Claudecode subreddit, where users were expressing their support for OpenAI Codex. This service, launched in May, competes with Anthropic’s Claude Code.

A Flood of Codex Users on Reddit

Recently, the subreddit has been inundated with announcements from self-identified users migrating to Codex. One user even humorously questioned, “Is it possible to switch to Codex without posting about it on Reddit?”

Are We Reading Bot-Generated Content?

Altman pondered how many of these posts were genuinely from humans. He noted, “I have had the strangest experience reading this: I assume it’s all fake/bots, even though I know the growth trend for Codex is real,” he stated on X.

Human Behavior Mirrors AI Language Models

He elaborated on his thoughts: “Real people have picked up quirks of LLM-speak… The Extremely Online crowd behaves in correlated ways, driven by engagement optimization and creator monetization, and there’s always the possibility of bots,” he explained.

The Paradox of Mimicking Communication

Essentially, he suggests that humans are beginning to adopt the speech patterns of LLMs. Ironically, these language models, developed by OpenAI, were designed to replicate human communication.

Fandom Dynamics and Social Media Behavior

Altman accurately points out that fandoms led by hyperactive social media users can develop unhealthy dynamics, often devolving into negativity. The pressure to engage can create distorted perceptions.

Implications of Astroturfing and Engagement Motives

He further speculates that many pro-OpenAI posts may be the result of astroturfing, a practice where posts are generated by bots or paid individuals to mislead audiences about public support.

Reddit Reactions to OpenAI’s GPT 5.0

Although we lack concrete evidence for astroturfing, it’s notable how OpenAI’s subreddits turned critical following the controversial launch of GPT 5.0, resulting in many discontented user posts.

Unraveling User Sentiments: Human or Bot?

Altman shared his reflections during a Reddit AMA, admitting to rollout challenges and addressing user concerns, yet the GPT subreddit still battles to regain former enthusiasm.

The Ongoing Battle Against AI Overload

Altman concluded, “The net effect is that AI-driven platforms now feel much less authentic than they did a couple of years ago.”

Attributing Blame in the Age of AI

As LLMs become adept at mimicking human writing, they pose a challenge not just to social media platforms but also to schools, journalism, and even the legal system.

The Scope of Non-Human Traffic on the Internet

While the precise number of bot-generated or LLM-influenced Reddit posts remains uncertain, sources indicate that over half of internet traffic is now non-human, largely due to LLMs.

Speculating on Altman’s Intentions

Some skeptics believe Altman’s observations may serve as a strategic marketing move for OpenAI’s anticipated social media platform, purportedly in development to rival X and Facebook.

The Dilemma of Bots in Future Social Networks

If OpenAI goes ahead with a new social media network, the question arises: Can it remain free of bots? Interestingly, research shows even entirely bot-operated networks can develop their own echo chambers.