Low-quality content generated by artificial intelligence, often referred to as 'slop', is increasingly dominating the internet, crowding out genuine human interaction. Despite growing concerns, major platforms like Facebook appear to be encouraging rather than curbing this trend. A recent analysis suggests that more than half of longer English-language posts on LinkedIn are now AI-generated, while many news sites have covertly adopted AI-written articles, sometimes attributed to fictional authors.
Facebook, in particular, has been flooded with bizarre AI-generated images, such as depictions of Jesus made from shrimp. Research from Stanford and Georgetown universities found that Facebook's recommendation algorithms actively boost these posts, many of which are created by scammers seeking to drive engagement. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has also introduced its own AI-powered profiles, including 'Liv', described as a 'proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller'. These profiles were quietly launched in 2023 but drew widespread criticism after a Meta executive revealed plans to populate the platform with AI characters.
The backlash prompted Meta to remove the AI profiles, but the broader issue persists. Writer Cory Doctorow's term 'enshittification'—the gradual degradation of online services in pursuit of profit—aptly describes the accelerating decline. As AI-generated slop proliferates, the internet's future looks increasingly artificial, raising urgent questions about regulation and the preservation of authentic human content.
