The rise of AI agents could transform the internet. It could also make everyday online life far more frustrating.
Meta’s new AI agent, Muse, can perform tasks without constant human supervision. It can browse websites, contact businesses, buy products and manage online bookings.
OpenAI and other technology companies are also developing similar tools. The rapid rollout marks a new stage in the evolution of the web.
But experts warn that the internet was built for humans. It was not designed for billions of automated agents acting around the clock.
That mismatch could create serious problems for websites, businesses and consumers.
AI Agents Could Overload Online Services
AI agents do not have the same limits as human users. They can perform hundreds of tasks quickly and repeatedly.
That could create fierce competition for scarce resources.
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Concert tickets, restaurant reservations and government appointments could become harder to secure. Agents could repeatedly book slots or purchase tickets before human users get a chance.
Calli Schroeder, director of the AI and Human Rights Program at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, warned that the problems caused by bots could escalate sharply.
Some users could also instruct agents to reserve several appointments. They could then cancel the options they do not need.
That could force websites to change how they allocate scarce services. One possible solution would be lotteries instead of first-come, first-served systems.
However, such changes would represent a major shift in how online services operate.
The Web Was Not Built for AI Agents
Ramesh Raskar, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared the current situation to releasing cars without traffic rules.
He said AI agents need clear rules for how they interact with websites and other digital systems.
The challenge is becoming more urgent as agent use expands.
One analysis found that web traffic from bots rose 124% in the year to June 2026. Some websites are already struggling with the additional automated traffic.
AI has also changed how people discover information online.
Search engines and chatbots increasingly provide answers without sending users to individual websites. That has reduced traffic for some publishers and online businesses.
AI agents could accelerate that trend.
Agents can complete tasks without viewing advertisements. They can also reduce the need for users to visit websites directly.
That could put further pressure on businesses that depend on advertising, subscriptions or online traffic.
Meta Says Muse Has Safety Controls
Meta says Muse was designed with safety and privacy protections.
A company spokesperson said the agent asks for permission before making purchases. Meta also says Muse is designed to behave like a reasonable and honest personal assistant.
The company says its safety systems prevent abusive behaviour, such as buying every ticket to an event or repeatedly refreshing a website.
Meta also says Muse underwent extensive testing before launch.
The company has developed additional protocols to control how the agent interacts with websites and users.
Privacy Risks Raise Bigger Questions
AI agents also create a new category of personal privacy risks.
Muse can access highly sensitive information if users give it permission.
That can include email, calendars and files stored on a computer.
An email account can contain years of private conversations, financial records, legal documents and personal information.
That makes agent access very different from using a conventional chatbot.
Experts warn that users could also face hidden conflicts of interest.
An agent arranging a holiday, for example, could recommend a particular airline or hotel. Users may not always know why that option was selected.
Schroeder said consumers could be vulnerable if agents make purchasing decisions on their behalf.
Meta says Muse does not connect the data it collects to its advertising systems.
The company also says special safeguards are designed to prevent the AI from accessing passwords and payment information.
Users can choose whether Muse scans an entire Gmail inbox or only messages relevant to a specific task.
AI Training Creates Another Privacy Concern
Meta says Muse data can be used to train new AI models by default.
The company says it removes personally identifiable information before using the data for training. It also provides a setting that allows users to opt out of AI training.
Privacy experts remain concerned about the risks.
Schroeder argued that removing information from an AI model after training can be difficult.
She also warned that AI systems can sometimes be manipulated into revealing information from their training data.
The concerns are particularly significant because Muse can potentially access years of personal information.
Security Flaws Highlight Agent Risks
Security researchers have also raised concerns about vulnerabilities in AI agents.
Patrick Wardle, co-founder of the Objective-See Foundation, said he found a serious vulnerability in Muse shortly after its launch.
Wardle said an attacker could potentially take control of the agent and access its data.
He also warned that a compromised agent could pose risks to other connected devices.
Meta fixed the vulnerability after it was reported.
However, Wardle said the incident raised questions about whether AI agents are ready to receive such broad access to personal systems.
Meta disputed concerns about its security process. The company said Muse’s launch had already been delayed to allow for additional privacy and security testing.
Building a New Internet for AI
The problems created by AI agents could eventually force the internet to change.
Raskar said regulators need rules specifically designed for agents.
He compared AI models to engines and agents to cars. The digital world, he argued, needs its own version of traffic lights, brakes and road rules.
Technology companies are already developing new systems for agents to interact with websites more efficiently.
Some platforms are also exploring ways to charge AI systems for automated access to online content.
Other services have introduced restrictions on AI agents.
Some restaurant reservation platforms have moved against automated bookings. The UK has also changed driving-test booking rules to limit bot activity.
These measures could become more common as AI agents spread.
The Promise Comes With a Cost
AI agents can already perform useful tasks.
They can contact sellers, compare products, place orders and negotiate with businesses.
For individual users, that could save considerable time.
But millions of agents performing those tasks at once could place enormous pressure on online services.
The technology could eventually create a more efficient internet. It could also force businesses and governments to redesign how digital services work.
The transition, however, is unlikely to be smooth.
For users, the biggest cost may be privacy.
The more control an AI agent receives, the more information it can potentially access.
That leaves consumers facing a difficult choice: accept the convenience of AI agents or limit their access to protect personal data.
The internet may eventually be redesigned for a world shared by humans and autonomous agents.
Until then, experts warn, the digital road ahead could be chaotic.
