Inrupt Closes Web Summit 2025: The Window for Reset Is Now

In November, Inrupt co-founders Sir Tim Berners-Lee and John Bruce took the main stage at Web Summit 2025, in Lisbon, to deliver a closing session on the future of data, AI, and digital sovereignty. Moderated by Lauren Jackson, of the Times, the conversation explored how organizations can seize this critical moment to reshape their relationship with customer data—before it's too late.

"Three years from now, this window won't exist," Bruce warned the audience, underscoring the urgency facing enterprise leaders today.

The Existential Moment for Enterprise

The past year has brought unprecedented acceleration in AI adoption, fundamentally changing how we interact with the Web. As Bruce revealed, "This week alone, I've had discussions with five or six managing directors and C.E.O.s of corporations who realize they sit at an existential point in time."

The stakes are clear: as AI becomes the primary interface between businesses and customers, companies risk losing their most valuable asset—direct customer relationships. When large language models have more influence over purchasing decisions than brand reputation, who truly controls the customer experience?

Digital Sovereignty: From Vision to Reality

Sir Tim's vision of "Charlie"—a personal AI assistant that works for individuals, not platforms—is no longer two decades away. It's here now, powered by Solid technology and deployed through Inrupt's Enterprise Wallet Infrastructure.

The solution allows customers to maintain sovereignty over their data while still enjoying the personalization benefits of AI. As Bruce explained, "If I trust you, I'll tell you about me. And, as a consequence, I expect you'll be able to service me better."

Leading organizations across financial services, retail, telecommunications, and government are already implementing this approach. Visa's recent announcement about the future of commerce relying on hyper-personalized recommendations—guided by the principles of Solid technology—demonstrates the enterprise momentum behind this shift.

The Call to Action

Sir Tim's closing message resonated: "Build a Web where each individual person can be empowered. Work always for digital sovereignty of the individual."

For enterprise leaders, the path forward is clear. The question is: Will you act now, or watch the window close?

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