A report titled "The State of AI Traffic" released by Human Security, a cybersecurity firm, reveals that robots and artificial intelligence have surpassed human users in internet usage. Data shows that automated internet traffic grew at a rate approximately eight times faster than human traffic in 2025.
According to the report, automated traffic, defined as "traffic generated by software systems (including AI) rather than human users," has seen a significant increase due to the rising reliance on smart chatbots for daily inquiries. The proliferation of large language models such as ChatGPT from OpenAI, Claude from Anthropic, and Gemini from Google has contributed to this rise, with automated traffic increasing by 187% from January to December 2025.
Details of the Event
Stu Solomon, CEO of Human Security, stated that "machine-based traffic is effectively replacing humans as the most prevalent form of traffic on the internet." The report is based on data from the Human Defense Platform, which processed over one quadrillion interactions across its clients. However, measuring overall automated online activity may face challenges, as there is no comprehensive database for interactions.
Filippo Menczer, a professor of information and computer sciences at Indiana University, noted that estimates of automated traffic rely on "user agent strings," which are considered inaccurate estimates. He added that these estimates depend on the sample obtained and the location of data collection.
Background & Context
Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, the industry has tracked a continuous increase in automated traffic. Matteo Prince, CEO of Cloudflare, mentioned during the SXSW conference in Austin that automated traffic accounted for about 20% of internet traffic before the era of generative AI, primarily driven by Google's web crawler.
Prince predicted that robots would surpass human traffic by 2027, citing "the rise of generative AI and its urgent need for data." This shift indicates that the internet may undergo radical changes in how users interact with content.
Impact & Consequences
These shifts in online traffic are indicative of broader changes in the digital society. The increasing reliance on AI could lead to changes in how digital platforms are designed and how they interact with users. Additionally, this shift may raise questions about privacy and security, as automated traffic could be vulnerable to breaches or malicious uses.
Furthermore, the growing understanding of AI and its role in our daily lives may lead to changes in how policies and legislation related to technology are developed. It is crucial for policymakers to keep pace with these changes to ensure the safe and effective use of technology.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, this shift could have significant implications for how the internet is used and businesses are developed. With the increasing reliance on AI, Arab companies may need to reassess their digital strategies to meet the changing market demands. This shift could also create new opportunities in areas such as education and e-commerce.
In conclusion, the report from Human Security serves as a starting point for understanding how the internet is evolving in the age of AI. As these changes continue, it will be important to monitor their impact on societies and economies worldwide.