—Linda Marsa
Artificial intelligence agents are beginning to deliver Tim Berners-Lee’s 2001 vision of an internet navigated by autonomous software rather than directly by people. These systems can prioritize inboxes, shop for groceries and access bank accounts, marking the emergence of what is being called the Agent Web—and raising uncertainty about whether today’s human-centered web will survive the transition.
The rise of the Agent Web
In 2001, a decade after inventing the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee described a new vision for the internet: autonomous software agents would navigate it and handle users’ needs without requiring them to operate a browser or search engine themselves.
At the time, that idea seemed far-fetched. A quarter of a century later, AI agents are beginning to make it a reality. They can prioritize email inboxes, complete grocery shopping and even access bank accounts.
This new era is known as the Agent Web, and it is likely to change the internet. However, no one knows whether the human web will survive the transition.
Listen to MIT Technology Review Narrated
MIT Technology Review Narrated is a weekly podcast featuring narrated stories from MIT Technology Review. Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or find MIT Technology Review Narrated on other podcast platforms to keep up with new episodes.
Must-read content
We scoured the internet to find the most entertaining, important, scary and fascinating stories about technology today.
Democrats gave tech billionaires a major midterm setback
The results could lead to increased scrutiny of AI and data centers. (CNBC)
Musk poured millions of dollars into Texas, but both of his candidates lost. (Wired $)
Several winners promised to limit data center construction. (Financial Times $)
Stock futures fell as the Democrats won a landslide. (NBC News)
The tech left said it was ready to “wipe the floor.” (Vanity Fair $)
Source: www.technologyreview.com