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Original poster

We will probably have to switch the internet off at some point in the next decade

158 replies

Cherrypi · 13/09/2026 19:19

I think we might need to temporarily switch the internet off at some point in the next decade to protect us from AI. Is that possible? What do you think would happen?

OP posts:
KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 13/09/2026 19:28

You know there isn't actually an internet switch don't you?

Theoretically we could unanimously decide to remove the connection wires and switch off the wifi access for every computer in the world but even if 1% of the population of the world disagrees, there will still be an internet

LottieMeDownAgain · 13/09/2026 19:27

It would be impossible as nearly all businesses are built on it, they will do anything to not let that happen… even up to catastrophic AI takeover

QwestSprout · 13/09/2026 19:26

As a former IT worker some of this discourse around AI is somewhat painful, particularly the recurring theme of 'can we switch the Internet off' or install a 'kill switch'.

The Internet is decentralised, there aren't single points of failure - that's by design, so that when a router goes down it reroutes like water to the next most viable path. It also isn't one single network, it's made up of loads of individual networks all connected together. If you took down our underwater cables China would be fine, and so on, and then even if you somehow took down the land and sea we'd still have the satellites.

Also, taking us backwards technologically by several decades is absolutely not the answer.

UniquePinkSwan · 13/09/2026 19:26

This AI paranoia is out of control

NeedBoosting · 13/09/2026 19:24

How would we 'switch off' the internet? It's not a homogeneous service provided by one organisation. All the world's governments and ISPs would have to be on board, I can't imagine how that would happen. Never mind the effect on businesses/services etc. It's like proposing 'turning off' everyone talking, how would you do it and how would you cope with even 10 minutes of it?

Lemonfrost · 13/09/2026 19:24

I think that would be a very welcome reset. The internet is completely out of hand as it is, without even getting into AI and what could happen there.

MadellineBellPictureMeGoneNS · 13/09/2026 19:24

It wouldn't be possible certainly not at this time.
We as individuals and businesses are wholly reliant on it now for so many things.
Wish we weren't though.

LemonLass · 13/09/2026 19:21

Cherrypi · 13/09/2026 19:19

I think we might need to temporarily switch the internet off at some point in the next decade to protect us from AI. Is that possible? What do you think would happen?

I think it may come to that if we are "in danger" from AI. Don't you?

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