LLMs as Historical Actors: How AI Systems Influence the Web's Evolution

The history of the web has been defined by a series of revolutionary developments, from the advent of HTML and web browsers to the explosion of social media and cloud computing. Throughout this evolution, human actors have played pivotal roles, serving as developers, technologists, and innovators who have guided the trajectory of the Internet. However, the emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as OpenAI's GPT series, represents a paradigm shift. These AI systems are not merely tools for humans but are increasingly becoming autonomous agents that shape the flow of information on the web. In this paper, we argue that LLMs can be framed as historical actors, meaning they are not only facilitators of human endeavors but also independent forces that influence the web's evolution. We explore how these AI systems direct the flow of information, shape public discourse, and may influence future interpretations of web-based history.