Engineer reports internet increasingly dominated by low-quality AI-generated content

The author’s experience reflects a broader frustration among engineers and knowledge workers who rely on the internet for meaningful discourse. The proliferation of AI-generated content has diluted the signal-to-noise ratio, making it harder to find high-quality discussions or original ideas. This shift is not just aesthetic, it changes how professionals evaluate the credibility of sources and the effort behind shared information.

The comparison to *Disco Elysium*’s ‘pale’ is a useful metaphor for the degradation of online spaces. Just as the pale erodes information, AI-generated content risks overwhelming the ‘isolas’ of genuine human interaction. For engineers, this means fewer reliable forums for technical debate, mentorship, or serendipitous discovery of new concepts. The cost of sifting through low-quality content may outweigh the benefits of participation.

The workplace impact is particularly acute. Collaboration depends on understanding colleagues’ perspectives, but AI-generated communication obscures individual thought processes. This isn’t an anti-AI stance, it’s a recognition that unchecked automation in communication undermines trust and connection. If the trend continues, engineers may need to seek alternative channels or stricter curation to maintain productive interactions.

The incentives driving this change are structural. Platforms prioritize engagement and scale, which favor low-effort, high-volume content. For engineers, this means adapting by either disengaging from mainstream platforms or developing new norms, such as labeling AI-generated content or favoring smaller, human-moderated communities. Neither solution is seamless, but both may be necessary to preserve the internet’s utility.