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Analysts Warn That If AI Agents Succeed, the "Internet Will Go Dark"

Mar 03, 2025 - futurism.com
The article discusses the potential impact of "AI agents," which are advanced personal assistants capable of performing tasks using apps and computers on behalf of users. As these AI agents become more prevalent, they could significantly alter the online information ecosystem by shifting consumption from humans to neural networks. Financial analysts, including Mark Shmulik and Nikhil Devnani from Bernstein, warn that this shift could have profound economic effects, as apps and websites might be designed for AI rather than human users. This could lead to a decrease in ad revenue for publications if AI agents summarize news without human interaction, raising questions about the future funding of journalism.

Furthermore, the rise of AI agents could centralize economic power with their creators, as these agents become the new intermediaries between consumers and services. This change could disrupt traditional job markets and lead to significant economic upheaval. The article also questions the reliability of AI agents, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and insurance, where their recommendations could have serious consequences. Despite these concerns, the potential for profit in the AI industry remains high, marking the beginning of what analysts call the "Agentic AI era."

Key takeaways:

  • The rise of AI agents could significantly alter the online information ecosystem, as they may consume information instead of humans.
  • AI agents could disrupt the economy by changing how apps and websites are designed, focusing on AI users rather than humans.
  • The widespread use of AI agents could impact industries like news and advertising, as fewer humans view ads, affecting funding for content creation.
  • AI agents could become powerful gatekeepers between consumers and services, potentially leading to economic shifts and job disruptions.
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