URGENT UPDATE: Substack CEO Chris Best has issued a stark warning about the future of online content, asserting that artificial intelligence (AI) could either inundate the internet with low-quality “slop” or empower creators to spark a cultural renaissance. In a recent episode of the a16z Podcast released on July 5, 2023, Best emphasized the critical role of attention in today’s media landscape.
AI-generated content is already flooding social media platforms, leading to a dramatic decline in quality. Best described this overwhelming wave of content as “AI slop,” which he believes could keep users mindlessly scrolling. “You could have a bunch of AI slop that kind of keeps dumb people clicking,” he stated. But there’s a glimmer of hope, he added, as the same technology could provide creators with “more creative leverage” to produce meaningful content.
Best highlighted that the real challenge facing media today isn’t a lack of content but a dire scarcity of quality content. “We’ve entered a world where attention is the scarce resource,” he noted. “We have won the war on boredom.” As technology advances, much of the internet is being tailored solely for engagement, which Best likened to a form of addiction. “That side of the media is going to get supercharged,” he cautioned.
Despite this bleak outlook, Best remains optimistic about the potential for media to foster culture. “The other purpose of media is culture,” he stated. “That is something that people really, really want as well.”
In a related development, the impact of AI-generated content has caught the attention of prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, who expressed concern over the implications of viral AI-generated videos. During a press conference on July 4, 2023, Trump remarked, “It’s a little bit scary, to be honest with you,” in reference to the potential for misinformation.
Substack, known for allowing writers to monetize directly from subscribers, secured $100 million in funding earlier this year, boosting its valuation to approximately $1.1 billion. This funding is seen as a vote of confidence in the platform’s mission to empower independent creators amidst the chaos of the digital content landscape.
As we continue to witness the rapid evolution of AI, experts urge content creators and consumers alike to remain vigilant. The landscape is shifting, and the choices made today will shape the future of media. The question looms: will AI lead to a flood of mindless content or a renaissance of creativity?
Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.