Why the Open Web Still Matters in the Age of AI

AI is growing fast—but the future of the internet should not belong to a few companies. The open web —open protocols, open standards, and open access—is still the best guarantee we have for transparency, innovation, and independence. Here’s why developers should care. The Risk of Centralization Many AI platforms concentrate power in a few ecosystems. Models, data, and distribution sit inside walled gardens. That means: A handful of players decide what gets built, who gets access, and how much it costs. Switching costs rise; lock-in deepens. Innovation follows the interests of those platforms, not necessarily the broader community. A closed AI web would look like the early app-store era—but with even more control over the underlying intelligence. The open web won’t defend itself. Building on open standards is how we keep the internet open. The Role of the Open Web Open systems allow: Transparency — Protocols and formats are inspectable. You can see how things work, audit behavior, and b