The Internet's Hidden Robot Population: Why Companies Should Be Worried
"AI agents are already much more prevalent on the internet than most people realize, and they're creating fundamental challenges for businesses that aren't prepared to handle them," warns Guy Tytunovich, CEO and founder of cybersecurity firm Cheq.
End of Miles reports that these automated systems, designed to navigate the web and interact with digital services on behalf of users, are silently transforming how companies must approach digital security, customer experience, and business operations.
An Invisible Transformation
According to Tytunovich, the rapid proliferation of AI agents is happening largely outside public awareness, with most businesses unprepared for the scope of the change. The cybersecurity expert notes that many companies remain focused on traditional human-centric security and experience models while a parallel machine economy develops.
"We're seeing a dramatic shift where increasingly sophisticated AI systems are interacting with websites, applications, and digital services in ways that were designed exclusively for humans. This creates significant blind spots and vulnerabilities that most organizations haven't even begun to address." Guy Tytunovich, CEO of Cheq
The Cheq founder explained that these AI agents range from simple bots to highly sophisticated systems capable of mimicking human behavior. They perform tasks ranging from data collection to more complex operations like making purchases, booking services, or even engaging in negotiations on behalf of users.
Detection Challenges
One of the most significant problems, Tytunovich points out, is the growing difficulty in distinguishing between human and AI-driven interactions. Traditional detection systems increasingly fail as AI agents become more sophisticated in mimicking human behavior patterns.
"The line between human and machine behavior online is blurring at an unprecedented rate. What we're witnessing is nothing short of a fundamental transformation of the internet's user base, where potentially 30-40% of all 'users' will soon be AI agents rather than humans." Tytunovich
This shift creates complex challenges across industries. E-commerce companies, for example, must now determine whether to allow AI shopping assistants to access their services and how to verify the authenticity of transactions. Media organizations face questions about AI agents scraping content, while financial services companies worry about automated systems exploiting arbitrage opportunities.
Business Impact Now and in the Future
The security expert emphasized that businesses need to develop new strategies and technologies specifically designed to address AI agent interactions. Companies that fail to adapt risk everything from security breaches to lost revenue opportunities.
"This isn't a future problem — it's happening right now. Companies that recognize this shift early and develop appropriate detection and response capabilities will have a significant competitive advantage. Those that don't will find themselves increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and unable to properly serve their actual human customers." The Cheq CEO
Tytunovich's company specializes in helping businesses identify and respond appropriately to AI agents, distinguishing between beneficial automated interactions and potentially harmful ones. This capability is becoming increasingly crucial as the digital landscape evolves.
As AI agents continue to proliferate, businesses across all sectors will need to reconsider fundamental aspects of their digital infrastructure, from security protocols to user experience design. The internet's user base is undergoing a profound shift, and the companies that recognize and adapt to this change will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly automated digital ecosystem.
