Potential changes to the internet economy over the next decade

The internet economy, which encompasses all economic activities that use digital technologies, is poised for radical transformation in the next decade, or so.

These changes will be shaped by advancements in technology, shifts in consumer behavior, new regulations, and the ongoing globalisation of digital platforms. This globalisation differs from economic ‘globalisation’ as it is commonly referred.

Below is a structured list of key anticipated changes, with explanations of their implications:

Dominance of AI-driven Economies

Artificial Intelligence will become a cornerstone of the internet economy. From hyper-personalised e-commerce to automated customer service, AI will effectively:

• Enable real-time data-driven decision-making
• Reduce costs through automation
• Create new business models in areas like AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS)
• Increase conversion rates by incremental learnings

Decentralised web3 adoption

Web3 technologies promise a shift from centralised platforms to decentralised models:

• Blockchain-based platforms will enable peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries
• Users will have ownership of their data and digital assets
• DAOs (Decentralised Autonomous Organisations) could replace traditional corporate structures in some sectors

Growth of the metaverse

The metaverse, a persistent virtual world, will become a significant digital marketplace:

• Virtual real estate, digital fashion, and in-world advertising will emerge as high-growth sectors
• Companies will establish immersive brand presences
• Cross-platform digital identity and currencies will be vital

Tokenisation of assets

Real-world assets (such as real estate, art, and stocks) will be tokenised on blockchain platforms:

• Improves liquidity and enables fractional ownership
• Reduces entry barriers for retail investors
• Facilitates 24/7 global trading

Rise of digital currencies and CBDCs

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins will gain widespread adoption:

• Faster and cheaper cross-border payments
• Enhanced financial inclusion in emerging economies
• Pressure on traditional banking models

Subscription-based everything

More industries will transition to subscription/membership models:

• Predictable revenue streams for businesses.
• Growing demand for bundled services (for example, Amazon Prime, Apple One)
• Challenges for consumers in managing ‘subscription fatigue’

Zero-party data and privacy-first marcoms

Privacy regulations (like the loathed GDPR and CCPA) are forcing marketers to rely more on zero-party data:

• Businesses must earn user trust to access data
• First-party analytics and customer engagement become critical
• Ad-tech players must innovate beyond cookies

Proliferation of AI-powered content creation

AI tools such as ChatGPT, DALL.E, Grok, and Sora will automate content generation:

• Accelerates production of marketing, media, and educational content
• Raises ethical and copyright issues
• Creates demand for authenticity and human oversight

Hyper-personalised e-commerce

Using AI and real-time data, brands will tailor product offerings at an individual level:

• Dynamic pricing and customised promotions
• Virtual shopping assistants powered by natural language processing
• Ethical considerations about manipulation and consumer autonomy

Ultra-fast connectivity

The rollout of 5G and future 6G networks will enhance mobile internet experiences:

• Drives innovations in mobile AR/VR and real-time cloud gaming
• Enables IoT devices to be fully integrated into everyday life
• Improves latency for mission-critical applications like telemedicine

Platform cooperatives

While platforms like Uber, Airbnb, and Fiverr dominate now, a new wave of platform cooperatives will emerge:

• Workers will own a share of the platform
• More equitable profit-sharing and governance
• Fuelled by dissatisfaction with traditional gig models

Quantum computing impacts on security

Quantum computing could render current encryption obsolete:

• New quantum-resistant algorithms will be required
• Businesses must future-proof their cybersecurity systems
• Potential disruption in blockchain and financial transactions

Global e-commerce expansion in emerging markets

Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America will see exponential e-commerce growth:

• Mobile-first strategies are key due to limited PC infrastructure
• Fintech solutions (for example, mobile money) will support inclusion
• Localised logistics and payment gateways will thrive

B2B digital transformation

Small and mid-sized B2B firms will embrace digitisation:

• B2B marketplaces like Alibaba or Amazon Business will grow
• Automated procurement, supply chain digitisation, and smart contracts will reduce friction
• SaaS for niche verticals (for example, manufacturing, agriculture) will proliferate

Sustainability as a digital selling point

Consumers and regulators increasingly demand sustainable practices:

• Digital platforms must report and reduce their carbon footprints
• Green hosting, energy-efficient algorithms, and eco-browsing are on the rise
• Carbon credits may be traded online

IoT monetisation

IoT devices will not just collect data, but participate in economic activities:

• Smart appliances ordering their own supplies
• Predictive maintenance services creating recurring revenue
• Data from wearables being sold with user consent

Immersive advertising and experiential marketing

Traditional display ads will decline in effectiveness:

• Branded experiences in the metaverse and AR/VR will drive engagement
• Dynamic, real-time storytelling powered by user data
• Need for ethics in immersive persuasion

Freelance and creator economies will continue to surge

More professionals will operate as independent creators:

• Platforms like Patreon, Substack, and Ko-fi will grow
• Microservices and niche expertise will dominate freelancing
• Legal frameworks for creator rights and IP will evolve
• The decline of MSM will accelerate

Digital Identity as a Service (IDaaS)

Managing digital identity securely will be crucial:

• Governments and corporations will offer reusable digital IDs
• Biometrics, decentralised IDs, and multi-factor authentication will be standard
• Opportunities in fraud prevention, access control, and personalisation

AI regulation

With AI’s rising influence, new services will emerge to audit, monitor, and regulate it:

• ‘Algorithm auditors’ to ensure fairness and transparency
• Compliance platforms to help businesses navigate evolving laws
• Potential for global AI standards bodies

Edge computing and the localised web

Rather than central servers, processing will happen at the network edge:

• Faster response times for apps like self-driving cars and smart factories
• Less reliance on data centers reduces latency and environmental impact
• Decentralised infrastructure poses new security challenges

Vertical integration of big tech

Big Tech companies will increasingly control entire value chains:

• Apple controlling both hardware and services (for example, Apple Pay, Vision Pro)
• Amazon expanding further into end-to-end logistics, digital media, and potentially even healthcare
• Regulatory scrutiny will intensify

Digital twin economies

This is a biggie. Digital replicas of real-world systems (cities, factories, humans) will emerge:

• Enables advanced simulations for planning and testing
• Digital twins of consumers may drive predictive retail
• Ethical concerns over surveillance and digital representation

Job displacement and reskilling industries

Automation and AI will displace millions of jobs:

• Entire new sectors will emerge around reskilling and upskilling
• Online education and vocational tech will surge
• Significant possibility that governments will incentivise lifelong learning platforms

Rise of RegTech

As digital regulation becomes more complex, Regulation Technology will flourish:

• AI-driven compliance tools for data protection, AML, and taxation
• Essential for FinTech, InsurTech, and e-commerce businesses
• Reduces legal risk and improves operational efficiency

Prepping for the Internet Economy 2035

The internet economy of the next decade will be defined by unprecedented complexity, connectivity, and opportunity.

From AI and blockchain to immersive experiences and new forms of labour, businesses must be agile and forward-looking to thrive. The convergence of technologies will not only reshape markets but redefine what it means to participate in the digital economy.

For business leaders, investors, and policymakers, staying informed and adaptive is not optional, it’s absolutely, 100 per cent essential. Those who embrace innovation while addressing the ethical, legal, and social implications of change will lead the next chapter of digital progress.

Let us know if you think we have anything wrong, or if you believe we have missed anything major.