An internet populated and run by AI agents will need not just reliable data but also a broader information ecology capable of questioning its own inputs and transmitting corrections where they are needed if information changes. But whether this will serve private interests or the public good remains to be seen.
CAMBRIDGE—Information is undergoing a category change. It has always been something people consume, but it is also becoming something machines act on. That means errors will stop being mere digital impressions and start becoming actions with far-reaching consequences. Given the risks, the system will need safeguards of its own. Better data or putting a human back in the loop will not suffice.