[V+ Perspective] Can't Live Without the Internet? How AI Agents Are Evolving the Platform Economy and Disrupting Daily Life

Do you remember your first online purchase? Maybe it was a plane ticket to Japan, a winter down jacket, or just an emergency phone charger. That one-click moment is quietly reshaping the way we live.

Since the debut of platforms like Amazon and eBay in the 1990s, the "platform economy" has risen rapidly, revolutionizing global commerce. No longer bound by physical stores, business hours, or geographic limitations, goods and services became accessible anytime, anywhere. And that was just the beginning. With the rise of smartphones, digital platforms have integrated into every corner of life—listening to music on Spotify, watching videos on YouTube, streaming series on Netflix, ordering meals via Foodpanda, catching a ride with Uber, and booking travel on Airbnb. Digital platforms are not just convenient; they are now foundational.

Platform 1.0: Centralized Information, Self-Navigation

At first, the internet was like a digital Yellow Pages.

In the early 2000s, platforms like Amazon and eBay introduced the idea of e-commerce—"you can shop without leaving your house!" This was the essence of Platform 1.0: moving transactions online and giving users the freedom to search, compare, and decide.

Platform 1.0 emphasized open access to information. Buyers and sellers could freely post listings, and users had full autonomy—but also full responsibility. These platforms gave you choices, but also made you bear the cost and risk of those decisions.

Platform 2.0: Real-Time Matching and Trust Engines

Before you even say it, the platform knows what you want.

With Platform 2.0, we moved into the era of real-time, data-driven matchmaking. Platforms like Uber began actively analyzing user needs, predicting intent, and automatically suggesting matches. This two-way intelligence allows platforms to understand both supply and demand in real-time and connect them seamlessly.

Signal the slightest intent—your location, browsing habits, budget, past behavior—and the platform will likely know what you want better than you do. Instead of showing you hundreds of options, it gives you one perfect fit.

This shift turned us from information seekers into service recipients. We now live within a highly digital, algorithm-driven environment. Studies show that nearly half of life services in the U.S. are digitized, with e-commerce taking nearly 20% of retail market share within just a decade.

Digital Platform Penetration Rates Across Daily Life Services

(Source: Global Market Insights / U.S. Census Bureau / TravelAge West / Self Financial)

Platform 3.0: The Rise of AI Agents

The digital platform economy has transformed from a tool for information matching into a core infrastructure that shapes both industry value chains and user lifestyles. From the early days of Platform 1.0, which enabled open transactions and basic search functionality, to Platform 2.0 with its real-time recommendations and push-based services, algorithms and data analytics have gradually permeated every sector.

Now, with the rise of generative AI and autonomous agent technologies, platforms are undergoing their third major evolution—entering the era of Platform Economy 3.0.

In this phase, platforms are no longer just decision-making assistants—they are becoming user agents. With generative AI and large language models (LLMs), platforms can interpret natural language, build contextual understanding, and execute tasks independently.

For example, an AI agent can now file taxes, manage finances, curate product bundles, interact with customer service, or even apply for government benefits or legal claims on a user’s behalf. Platforms are evolving from information providers to task executors.

Consider this: a user types, “I want to travel to Spain next month for seven days with a NT$60,000 budget.” The AI platform automatically generates a complete itinerary, comparing exchange rates, flights, accommodation availability, weather forecasts, and visa requirements. It not only books the trip but also fills out visa forms, uploads necessary documents, and formats everything as needed—with minimal user intervention.

This shift means the focus of platform competition moves from driving traffic to mastering execution. It’s no longer about who has the most users—but who understands them better, faster, and acts on their behalf.

Key enablers include:

1. Depth and Real-Time Access to Behavioral Data

Cross-context, cross-device behavioral databases are essential.

2. Model Optimization and Continuous Learning

Platforms must build highly personalized models that learn and adapt over time.

In Platform 3.0, AI becomes a user’s digital twin—not just recording preferences, but autonomously executing decisions. It will learn your tone, understand your habits, anticipate your choices, and act before you even realize you need something. This is not just an upgrade in efficiency—it is a fundamental redefinition of modern life and commerce.

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