Session
Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br)
Diogo Cortiz, Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Heloisa Candello, IBM Research, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Henrique Xavier, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Vagner Diniz, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Beatriz Rocha, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Diogo Cortiz, Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Heloisa Candello, IBM Research, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Henrique Xavier, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Vagner Diniz, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Beatriz Rocha, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organization's Website
Speakers
Dominique Hazaël-Massieux, W3C World Wide Web Consortium, Technical Community, Western European and Others group (WEOG)
Heloisa Candello, IBM Research, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Henrique Xavier, Web Technology Study Center (NIC.br), Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Onsite Moderator
Diogo Cortiz
Online Moderator
Vagner Diniz
Rapporteur
Beatriz Rocha
SDGs
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Targets: This Network Session aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By addressing how AI-driven search engines disrupt traditional economic models of the web, the session underscores critical concerns for economic sustainability and employment stability within the digital content industry, directly impacting SDG 8. It promotes dialogue around fair business models and governance strategies aimed at protecting digital content creators, ensuring their economic viability, and preserving equitable access to economic opportunities online. Furthermore, the discussion surrounding technological innovation and infrastructure—such as developing standards to manage AI-driven web crawling—directly contributes to SDG 9.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Targets: This Network Session aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By addressing how AI-driven search engines disrupt traditional economic models of the web, the session underscores critical concerns for economic sustainability and employment stability within the digital content industry, directly impacting SDG 8. It promotes dialogue around fair business models and governance strategies aimed at protecting digital content creators, ensuring their economic viability, and preserving equitable access to economic opportunities online. Furthermore, the discussion surrounding technological innovation and infrastructure—such as developing standards to manage AI-driven web crawling—directly contributes to SDG 9.
Format
Roundtable
This Networking Session will be divided into four segments to engage the audience in the discussion. In the first part (15 minutes), the speakers will introduce the topic and give an overview of how AI could affect the Web Ecossystem. In the second part of the session (15 minutes), the speakers will be invited to response and give insight to two policy questions: 1. How could Search Engines with AI change the way users interact with information, and what are the implications for content creators and the digital economy? 2. How can business models be designed to promote fairness and inclusion in an AI-driven digital economy Then, in the third part of the session (10 minutes), we will invite audience to share questions and participate in the deabte. In the final part of the session (5 minutes), the speakers will summarize the findings from those three groups and propose ways to introduce those themes into local agendas.
This Networking Session will be divided into four segments to engage the audience in the discussion. In the first part (15 minutes), the speakers will introduce the topic and give an overview of how AI could affect the Web Ecossystem. In the second part of the session (15 minutes), the speakers will be invited to response and give insight to two policy questions: 1. How could Search Engines with AI change the way users interact with information, and what are the implications for content creators and the digital economy? 2. How can business models be designed to promote fairness and inclusion in an AI-driven digital economy Then, in the third part of the session (10 minutes), we will invite audience to share questions and participate in the deabte. In the final part of the session (5 minutes), the speakers will summarize the findings from those three groups and propose ways to introduce those themes into local agendas.
Duration (minutes)
45
Description
AI poses a significant risk of fragmenting the Web and disrupting its current interaction and economic model. While deepfakes, misinformation, and copyright issues are widely discussed as AI challenges in the digital environment, a silent shift threatens the Web's openness.
Unlike traditional search engines, which collect third-party data to direct users back to original sources, Search Engines with AI collect data to train models and deliver customized responses directly to users.
A recent study published by a consortium of Media companies shows that 52% of users are already replacing search engines with AI-driven searches — and this number soars to 61% among Gen Z.
This transformation is not only about access but also about how users interact with information. The integration of AI into search engines is shifting the experience from merely searching for links to engaging in open-ended conversations with AI, which provides summarized answers based on original sources. While this enhances convenience and accessibility, it also reduces direct engagement with websites, potentially threatening the sustainability of digital content creators.
In response, portals, websites, and content producers are taking measures to restrict this type of access by blocking bots or creating mechanisms to hide content from open access through logins or paywalls. This not only affects AI bots, possibly slowing down innovation, but could also hamper access by search engine crawlers and other types of bots and even create barriers for humans. The result is a Web fragmented into many territories, few of which are fully accessible.
This Network Session will provide a space to diagnose the issue and discuss potential technical, economic, and design solutions to ensure the future of the Web does not become isolated clusters of content.
To ensure the active participation of online participants, we will use a conference tool with breakout room features. Both online and onsite participants will be in contact through the conference tool. The speakers will ensure an active and fluid interaction among them. In the last session, all the participants are in the same room with the speakers and moderators.
To ensure the active participation of online participants, we will use a conference tool with breakout room features. Both online and onsite participants will be in contact through the conference tool. The speakers will ensure an active and fluid interaction among them. In the last session, all the participants are in the same room with the speakers and moderators.