The Bot Spectrum: From Helpful Heroes to Cyber Villains
By Kraig Kleeman
“Diving into the digital deep today feels a bit like exploring a haunted house—every corner turned reveals another bot pretending to be human. Let’s shed some light on these shadowy figures.” — Ghazenfer Mansoor
Introduction
I have been very close to watching the exciting journey of AI development. Many times, we discuss how AI can change healthcare or make difficult tasks easier. But today, I want to explore a less clear part of AI: its place in the growth of internet bots.
The Bot Boom: Not All Are Created Equal
Did you hear about the recent increase in bot traffic? It is not a tiny rise; almost half of all internet activity now comes from non-human sources! It is like entering a party where many guests are actually robots pretending to be humans. This year, these bad bots, which we can think of as the uninvited troublemakers at this party, have managed to become so skilled at hiding that they now form nearly one-third of all web traffic.
Debunking the Dead Internet Theory
Talking about robots all over, there is this idea named the Dead Internet Theory. It says that a big part of the internet might actually be bots chatting with other bots instead of real people. Feels like a science fiction film, no? Even though it’s somewhat over-the-top, it really makes you think about how real the things we see on the internet are. It is an interesting thought, and even though I do not completely agree with it, it reminds strongly how important to keep human connection in the digital world.
A Day in the Life of Today’s Bots
Let us think about the world of robots. Picture two types: one is very helpful and assists with many tasks, like helping customers or organizing information on the internet. These good bots are like secret heroes of the internet. On other side, there are bad bots—these ones act like villains on the internet, stealing data, causing problems for websites, and even trying to buy all concert tickets so they can sell them more expensive later.
I recall first time we set up a bot for our client’s customer service. Bot was supposed to reply to easy questions, but one day it began saying pie recipes instead of giving store locations! There was a misunderstanding in the code, but it demonstrated to us that even good bots might act unexpectedly if they are not managed well.
How AI is Changing the Game
AI works like the brain for these robots, making them more clever and flexible. For helpful bots, this means they can learn from talking to you so they can help you better next time. But for bad bots? They become more tricky, learning to act like humans very well so they can avoid security checks.
My Take on the Future
As we keep making and using AI, it is very important to think about how this strong tool can make our online lives better instead of putting them at risk. We have to be careful and active in building AI systems that are safe and clear for everyone. The goal? To make sure our digital future is one where technology makes human abilities and good intentions stronger, not weaker.
About Ghazenfer Mansoor
Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO and Founder of Technology Rivers, leads a top software development firm in Washington DC, dedicated to empowering startups and enterprises globally with innovative solutions. His commitment to social and economic impact is showcased through employment generation and philanthropy in emerging countries. A seasoned advisor and investor in technology and healthcare, Mansoor combines technical expertise with strategic vision. His firm focuses on software innovation, especially in health, AI, and Machine Learning. He is also writing “Free App Promotion Playbook: The Ultimate Guide to Supercharge Your Mobile App’s Reach,” sharing insights for app developers.