Hanging in the balance

Empowering the Individual: Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s Vision for a Reimagined Web at Web Summit Lisbon 2025

At Web Summit Lisbon 2025, Ms. Lauren Jackson of The New York Times hosted Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Mr. John Bruce, CEO of Inrupt. They discussed Inrupt’s mission to restore individual control over web data. Sir Tim, known for prioritizing public service, and Mr. Bruce advocate for a fundamental “reset” of the web, shifting power from large platform companies back to users, echoing the early web’s spirit of free creation.

Sir Tim articulated his consistent vision for individual digital sovereignty, emphasizing re-empowering users. Mr. Bruce introduced Solid, a technology developed by Sir Tim at MIT, which provides users with a digital wallet. This allows individuals to store and manage personal data, granting access under their own specified terms. This ensures direct control, moving beyond the current model where platforms own user data, which Mr. Bruce deems unfair.

The rapid acceleration of AI adoption has intensified Inrupt’s mission. Mr. Bruce noted a significant increase in interest from organizations, including CEOs, recognizing AI’s transformative impact. This heightened awareness underscores the urgent need for solutions that keep data with the individual. Sir Tim affirmed that a web “reset” is achievable amidst AI’s influence, stressing new developments must uphold original values of individual digital sovereignty.

Sir Tim’s long-standing concept of an intelligent web agent, “Charlie,” is now more relevant. He envisions an AI that works exclusively for the individual, managing personal tasks with unwavering loyalty, unlike current company-aligned AI assistants. This model ensures personal data is utilized solely for the user’s benefit, mirroring trusted professional relationships. This approach also creates value for businesses by fostering direct, trusted customer relationships and enabling superior, personalized services.

The rise of Generative AI poses a significant threat to the traditional advertising model. Large Language Models (LLMs) are evolving into powerful recommendation and purchasing engines, potentially disintermediating established brands. If LLMs dictate buying decisions, brand investments could be undermined by AI recommendations influenced by commercial interests rather than genuine user preferences. This necessitates a new approach to customer engagement and revenue generation, moving beyond exploitative data practices.

Achieving user data control requires public awareness and widespread adoption of technologies like Solid. The “Charlie” layer acts as a crucial intermediary, ensuring data remains with the user while still enabling AI utility. Mr. Bruce stressed a critical, limited window of opportunity to implement this reset. Inrupt collaborates with diverse global clients, including governments and major corporations like Visa, for hyper-personalized commerce solutions.

Sir Tim clarified that the movement is fundamentally about empowerment, not just privacy, which he views as a “hygiene factor.” He expressed ethical concerns about the uncoordinated “race” among large tech companies in AI development, contrasting it with the collaborative, safety-focused approach seen in nuclear power development. Sir Tim reiterated his belief in the eventual emergence of super intelligence.

Reflecting on tech culture, Sir Tim distinguished between negative “hubris” and positive “pride” in community. In their concluding remarks, Mr. Bruce urged leaders and innovators to take personal responsibility for shaping a positive digital future. Sir Tim’s final message was to empower the individual and restore the “coolness” of the early web through digital sovereignty, ensuring a web that truly serves humanity.