We explore whether the shift from exploratory interfaces to AI-driven services is stripping away the friction that once built trust, leaving us with speed that feels hollow. Patrizia Bertini warns that this transition breaks the economic handshake between readers and creators, while Dawn Perrott argues that without backend access, our AI agents remain passive rather than truly helpful. We also dissect how dark patterns in pricing and complex filter designs reveal a deeper tension between conversion goals and the transparency required for long-term loyalty.
