Part 5/11:
The emergence of autonomous AI agents could threaten existing consumer services and online business models. For example, platforms like DoorDash generate revenue not just from food delivery, but also from advertising, data collection, and brand loyalty efforts. If users begin to interact solely through AI agents—bypassing the app interface entirely—these companies risk losing control over customer engagement, reducing ad impressions, and diminishing revenue streams.
A DoorDash executive pondered the scenario: "What happens when only AI Bots, not people, visit their site?" This highlights a broader concern about disintermediation—the possibility that AI-driven interactions could upend traditional business models by replacing human engagement with automated processes.