AI Creates Over A Third of New Websites

In a significant development, over a third of new websites appearing online were created with AI assistance, according to research from Imperial College London, Stanford University, and the Internet Archive. Data from late 2022 to mid-2025 indicates that 35.3% of newly published websites leveraged AI, with 17.6% being fully AI-generated. This trend aligns with broader observations of increased bot activity online, raising concerns about the future of information dissemination. However, the study debunks some fears, finding AI content generally factually accurate and well-sourced. Despite this, the research highlights a concerning reduction in diverse ideas and a tendency towards artificially cheerful, sanitized writing styles.

Researchers involved in the study noted that while AI content does not necessarily compromise factual accuracy or individual writing styles, it does contribute to a less diverse range of unique ideas and viewpoints. This sanitized feel, even acknowledged by industry leaders, is a key finding. In response, the research team is developing continuous monitoring tools to better understand the nuances of AI's impact across different website categories and languages, aiming to provide greater clarity on this evolving digital landscape.