The internet faces a fundamental transformation as artificial intelligence agents evolve from passive assistants to active decision-makers, according to technology expert Justin Westcott from Edelman. Writing for VentureBeat, Westcott argues that the current web design built for human users will become obsolete as AI agents take over routine digital tasks.
Today’s AI systems like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude still operate within interfaces designed for human interaction, clicking buttons and filling forms like “putting a robot in a glove and telling it to pretend it’s got fingers,” Westcott explains. This approach proves wildly inefficient for machines that could process information much faster through direct data exchanges.
The emerging machine-native web will prioritize speed and efficiency over visual appeal. Pages will transform into data endpoints, with APIs serving as digital storefronts. AI agents won’t need to browse product pages or read reviews. Instead, they’ll instantly evaluate options based on user preferences and make purchasing decisions.
This shift will create new optimization priorities. Search engine optimization will evolve into “machine experience optimization.” Content must become structured data that AI can quickly process. Website success will depend on accessibility, reliability, and machine readability rather than attractive design.
Westcott predicts two parallel web versions may emerge: one visual interface for humans and another streamlined system for machines. Companies that adapt early by building AI-compatible infrastructure will gain significant advantages. Within five years, AI agents will handle hundreds of daily decisions for users, from purchases to scheduling, fundamentally changing how businesses must present themselves online.