The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet: Navigating the Age of Generative AI

The Dark Forest Internet

In Chinese sci-fi author Leu Sushin's novel, "The Three-Body Problem," he puts forward an intriguing solution to the Fermi Paradox. Rather than the universe being devoid of life, Sushin suggests that it is actually a dark forest, teeming with hidden and hostile civilizations. In this dark forest, any intelligent life that broadcasts its presence is immediately preyed upon by more advanced civilizations. This concept may seem far-fetched, but it resonates with our experiences on the internet. Every day, more and more of our lives are lived in the digital realm. However, the internet, once a vibrant and lively space, now feels increasingly lifeless. It is overrun with bots, advertisers, trolls, data scrapers, clickbait, influencers, and mindless social media mobs. The real human users have retreated to private apps, servers, and RSS feeds in order to avoid being beset by these digital predators. This phenomenon is what Yansy Strickler calls the Dark Forest theory of the internet.

The Rise of Generative AI

To understand the declining realness of the web, we need to examine the rise of generative AI. Generative AI refers to AI systems that can generate new text, images, videos, and sounds based on training data. This technology has already started to change our digital lives. When was the last time you clicked on something or believed a headline without checking its veracity? The overwhelming flood of synthetic content has made it difficult to discern what is real and what is not. The Dark Forest internet and generative AI have driven users to seek out private spaces where they can have provably human interactions. Platforms like text messages, emails, discords, and slacks have become sanctuaries amidst the chaos. However, cultural anthropologist Maggie Appleton warns that generative AI and large language models like Chat GPT will further push us into our digital bunkers and impenetrable silos.

The Expanding Dark Forest

As generative AI continues to advance, the Dark Forest internet expands. Synthetic content is on the rise, and it is estimated that the majority of online content will be synthetic within the next year. Language models like Chat GPT are generating more text than has ever appeared in every physical book ever written every two weeks. The accessibility of these language models means that anyone can use them to generate content without any technical skills. This accessibility has led to the emergence of automated content rings, where AI-driven bots create lifeless engagement on social media platforms, websites, podcasts, and even independent books. Companies and individuals have already started exploiting this technology for their own gains, such as stealing web traffic from competitors or creating massive amounts of content in a short period of time. The Dark Forest internet is expanding, and we are ill-prepared for the consequences.

The Reverse Turing Test

Alan Turing's famous Turing test was a benchmark for thinking machines, but the rise of generative AI has raised a new question: how can humans prove their humanness in the dark forest of the internet? Turing's assumption that a human will always be able to determine what passes for human is no longer valid. Artificial intelligence has become so advanced that language models like Chat GPT can surpass human performance in various domains. The reverse Turing test flips the roles, where non-human machines are tasked with proving their humanness. As AI proliferates on the internet, language models and other technologies will engage in a reverse imitation game to showcase their human-like capabilities. This presents a challenge for platforms and users alike. How can we distinguish human-generated content from synthetic content in an increasingly automated and lifeless internet?

Human Signaling Online

In the face of generative AI, Maggie Appleton suggests some practical ways for humans to signal their humanness online. The first is to show up in the physical world and interact with other people. By engaging in real-life interactions, we can demonstrate our humanity to others. This may seem dystopian, but it may become an unavoidable requirement for online presence verification. Institutional verification of humanness, beyond a simple blue checkmark, may become necessary. This could involve physically verifying one's identity before registering a website, writing an article, or posting on social media. While this idea may go against the principles of internet culture, it may be the only way to combat the rising tide of synthetic content. Another way to signal our humanness is to engage in online interactions that reflect aspects of humanity apart from intelligence. Current AI models lack the ability to reflect on themselves, belong to communities, or feel the world as humans do. By communicating with each other and sharing objective realities, humans can maintain grounded interactions while ensuring that there is a human on the other side of the screen. Finally, humans can distinguish themselves in the Dark Forest by creating internet-specific culture that outpaces AI culture. Language models struggle to keep up with the fast-paced nature of internet lingo, jargon, memes, and ingroup dialects. By embracing these aspects of internet culture, humans can assert their uniqueness and signal their humanness.

The Future of the Dark Forest Internet

The proliferation of generative AI poses both incredible possibilities and harmful outcomes. While it has the potential to revolutionize education, healthcare, and various industries, it also opens the door to phone scams, deepfakes, and the loss of authenticity on the internet. The dark forest of the internet is expanding, and we must proceed with caution. As technology advances, we need to develop systems to distinguish between human-generated and synthetic content. However, the challenge lies in the fact that these systems are likely to lag behind what AI can accomplish. Platforms like Twitter may struggle to sort through the cacophony of synthetic content and protect users from misinformation and manipulation. In the face of this uncertain future, we must remember the importance of human connection and physical presence. We need to reclaim the real world and engage in meaningful interactions with others. By doing so, we can assert our humanness in a world that is increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. The dark forest of the internet may seem overwhelming, but there is hope. By embracing our human qualities, engaging in real-world interactions, and creating internet-specific culture, we can navigate this new era of generative AI and ensure that humanity remains at the forefront of the digital realm.

Conclusion

The Dark Forest theory of the internet challenges our perception of online spaces. As generative AI becomes more prevalent, the internet feels increasingly lifeless and dangerous. However, by embracing our humanity and finding ways to signal our humanness, we can reclaim the internet and create spaces that reflect our authentic selves. The future of the internet may be uncertain, but by understanding the Dark Forest theory and its implications, we can navigate this new era with caution and resilience.