TechCrunch Daily Crunch Sam Altman says that bots are making social media feel ‘fake’
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Sep 9, 2025 Sam Altman reveals a stark truth: bots are clouding our perception of social media authenticity. He discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between human and automated posts. This has led to an identity crisis online, especially on platforms like Reddit and Twitter. The rise of algorithm-driven engagement raises urgent questions about genuine interactions in a digital world. Is what we see really real, or just a bot's echo?
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Bots Blur Human Voice Online
- Sam Altman realized social feeds feel fake because bots and humans now sound similar.
- He attributes this to LLM-style phrasing, correlated online fandoms, hype cycles, and platform incentives.
Reading Reddit Felt Uncanny
- Altman described reading the Claude Code subreddit and assuming many posts were fake or bots.
- He noted this despite knowing Codex growth was real, which highlighted his surprise.
Engagement Incentives Produce Homogeneity
- Altman live-analyzed why posts felt fake, listing social and platform dynamics that amplify similarity.
- He called out optimization for engagement and creator monetization as drivers of homogenous content.