This report argues that policymakers must confront a fundamental choice as the agentic web transforms the economy: whether artificial intelligence (AI) agents must primarily represent the interests of users or will be permitted to serve the interests of the corporations that deploy them. 

The report argues that a handful of already dominant technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are embedding AI agents into their existing monopoly products and services. But these companies always have primarily worked on behalf of their shareholders, not users. The potential for exploitation is great. 

The report lays out several recommendations for policymakers:  

• apply traditional real-world fiduciary duties to AI agents that perform the functions of human agents
• establish strong protections against surveillance, using the data protections given to corporate users of AI agents as a model
• require meaningful transparency and auditing of AI agents
• promote competition and interoperability in AI markets
• prevent dominant technology firms from using control over AI infrastructure and distribution channels to foreclose rivals.