OpenAI CEO and Reddit shareholder Sam Altman has voiced growing concern over the authenticity of social media, suggesting that bots and AI-generated content have made platforms like Reddit and X feel increasingly artificial.

In a post shared Monday, Altman described a moment of realization while browsing the r/Claudecode subreddit, where users were praising OpenAI’s Codex programming tool.

Despite knowing that Codex adoption is rising, Altman admitted he found it difficult to believe the posts were written by real people. “I assume it’s all fake/bots, even though in this case I know codex growth is really strong and the trend here is real,” he wrote on X.

Altman went on to dissect the phenomenon, attributing the sense of artificiality to a mix of factors: humans mimicking the speech patterns of large language models (LLMs), hyper-engaged online communities amplifying trends in unison, and the influence of monetization and engagement-driven algorithms.

He also cited past instances of “astroturfing”—coordinated campaigns where paid individuals or bots post content to simulate grassroots support—as a reason for his heightened skepticism.

The irony is not lost on observers. OpenAI’s own models were trained on platforms like Reddit, and Altman himself served on Reddit’s board until 2022. Now, he finds that even genuine fan enthusiasm for OpenAI products can feel suspiciously synthetic.

Altman’s remarks come amid broader concerns about the impact of AI on digital discourse. Following the release of GPT-5 earlier this year, OpenAI faced backlash from users who criticized the model’s performance and personality shifts. Altman addressed these issues in a Reddit AMA, acknowledging rollout challenges and promising improvements. Yet, the r/GPT subreddit has remained divided, with many posts expressing dissatisfaction.

The scale of the bot problem is significant. Cybersecurity firm Imperva reported that over half of all internet traffic in 2024 was non-human, driven largely by bots and LLMs. X’s own bot, Grok, estimated “hundreds of millions” of bots on the platform.

Altman’s candid reflections have sparked speculation about OpenAI’s rumored plans to launch a social media platform. Reports from April suggested the company was exploring a new network to rival X and Facebook, though no official confirmation has been made.

Critics argue that painting existing platforms as bot-saturated could serve as a strategic prelude to introducing a supposedly “authentic” alternative.

Still, Altman’s core observation remains: distinguishing between human and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly difficult. Even in hypothetical bot-only environments, researchers have found that AI agents tend to form cliques and echo chambers—mirroring human behavior.

As AI continues to reshape communication, Altman’s comments underscore a growing challenge: preserving authenticity in a digital world where the line between human and machine is rapidly fading.