AI didn't break the web. The dotcons did – AI just turned up the volume (hamishcampbell.com)

Recent discussions around AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) like Claude, highlight a growing misconception in the tech community that these systems possess human-like qualities such as emotions or ethics. The article emphasizes that while AI can generate responses that mimic human intelligence and morality, it simply reflects the complexities of human behavior encoded in its training data. The danger lies not in AI achieving consciousness, but in humans treating these systems as peers, which risks further isolating individuals and weakening community bonds. The piece critiques the trend of viewing social issues as technical problems, warning that as AI systems become more anthropomorphic, they may replace vital human interactions and institutions. This mirrors patterns seen during the dotcom era, where engagement platforms took precedence over fostering genuine connections. The author calls for a deeper understanding of the social processes that shape morality and ethics, asserting that true governance and community require active participation rather than automated solutions. Ultimately, the challenge is to ensure that AI enhances social processes rather than diminishes them, reestablishing the value of community and shared norms that underpinned the early open web.