The web is splitting into two distinct futures: one driven by relentless AI agents, the other shaped by human hands. It fills me with both excitement and sadness - excited by the possibilities of AI-driven efficiency, yet nostalgic for the craftsmanship of a human touch. Let’s dive into what this means for the future of web development and ownership.

The Rise of AgentWeb

The AgentWeb represents the industrialisation of web development, where AI agents autonomously build, maintain, and optimise websites at scale. These digital properties will be born in vast WebFarms (remember Bitcoin farms?) where AI systems handle everything from design decisions to content optimisation and user experience refinement.

For website owners, this means hands-off management with AI handling:

• Complete brand identity creation and evolution
• Content creation and SEO optimisation
• Automated maintenance and security updates
• Real-time performance monitoring and optimisation
• User experience refinement through continuous testing
• Integrated social media presence and content distribution

For developers, AgentWeb demands a systems-level approach, managing AI orchestration and scalability. It means massive Kubernetes clusters running thousands of AI agents and ML models, each managing thousands of websites. These agents work non-stop to:

• Generate and adapt design systems
• Optimise web frontend for performance
• Auto-scale infrastructure based on traffic patterns
• Deploy updates and security patches
• A/B test different user experiences
• Generate and optimise content with AI

The Future Renaissance of ArtisanWeb

On the flip side, we might be witnessing a renaissance of handcrafted websites. Like craft beer versus mass-produced lagers, ArtisanWeb represents the boutique approach to web development. I can imagine content on the web being labeled “Handcrafted by a Human” or “No AI Was Used in Creating This Content”.

The interesting thing is that while handcrafted web will be proud to display these labels, web farms would not do the opposite: AI Generated Content. They are likely to try to fake that they are really hand-made content. In the same way browsers once faked their identities to gain compatibility, AI-generated websites might strive to mimic human craftsmanship to gain trust—a new battle for authenticity in the AI driven digital age.

For website owners, this means:

• Collaborative brand development with creative professionals
• Hand-crafted design systems that reflect unique brand personality
• Direct collaboration with human creators
• Personal attention to detail
• Custom solutions for specific needs
• Design that tells a real story

For developers, ArtisanWeb invites a return to the roots of web design, focusing on creativity and meticulous craftsmanship. These are the sites where they can:

• Create unique brand expressions through code
• Build distinctive, performant components from scratch
• Craft bespoke user journeys
• Design immersive experiences
• Maintain that crucial human touch

Why This Split Matters

Just as browser wars shaped the early web, this split between AI-driven and human-crafted sites will define our digital future. Visiting an AgentWeb site will feel like entering a gleaming superstore: efficient, predictable, and optimised for mass appeal. ArtisanWeb, by contrast, will evoke the charm of a small, bespoke boutique: intimate, creative, and deeply personal.

AgentWeb makes sense for:

• Business owners needing consistent, low-maintenance websites
• High-volume content publishers
• Standard business websites
• Companies prioritising cost-efficiency

ArtisanWeb shines for:

• Personal brands needing distinctive presence
• Creative professionals
• Luxury brands
• Projects requiring unique user experiences

Looking Forward The future won’t be winner-takes-all. Just as we see both chain restaurants and boutique eateries thriving, AgentWeb and ArtisanWeb will serve different needs in tomorrow’s digital landscape.

For website owners, the choice will depend on your goals, budget, and desired level of involvement. For developers, it’s about deciding whether to orchestrate powerful AI systems or craft bespoke digital experiences.

I hope the question isn’t which approach will win, but rather: which one suits your needs? I really hope both approaches can coexist in the future.

Happy building! ❤️