The Future of AI and Publishers: Collaboration or Conflict? The opening day’s first keynote panel—“AI Implications on Publishers”—became a major highlight. Guests from major media groups and technology platforms discussed how AI is reshaping ad delivery, content recommendation, and revenue models.
At a time when data privacy and algorithmic transparency are global focal points, AI is not only a tool for efficiency but also a key force in rebuilding trust mechanisms. Attendees generally agreed that publishers must find a new balance between automation and human editing to ensure the dual sustainability of content and advertising value.

Beyond Google: Building a Healthy Supply-Side Ecosystem Another breakout session titled “Google and Beyond: Building a Healthy Supply-Side Strategy for the Future” sparked deep reflection on the concept of a decentralized advertising ecosystem.
With third-party cookies gradually fading into history, how publishers can build more independent supply-side systems through first-party data, open-source ad technologies, and transparent bidding mechanisms became a shared consensus. Experts noted that promoting open standards and continuously evolving the Prebid framework will play a crucial role in ensuring fairness and competition within the ad market.

2025 New York Prebid Summit Focuses on AI Evolution and Internet Evolution

The Dual Challenge of Open Web and Privacy Transformation: Privacy protection and user identification were another major focus of this year’s summit. Several roundtables centered on the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and new U.S. privacy regulations, discussing ID alternatives, the transparency of Real-Time Data (RTD) modules, and how to maintain accuracy and ad revenue under privacy constraints.
Prebid community experts emphasized that 2025 will be a critical year for “open web evolution”—as technology standards, policy frameworks, and business logic are being reshaped in parallel. The industry must work together to create a sustainable identity ecosystem.

From Technology to Philosophy: The Next Phase of the Internet Beyond technology topics, the summit also focused on “the evolution of the Internet.” AI-driven ad optimization, cross-screen integration (CTV / OTT / DOOH), invalid traffic (IVT) control, and sustainable ad quality development became central themes.
Many speakers noted that the Internet is transitioning from a “user-centered” era to a new era “centered on trust.” The fusion of AI and open code is driving the advertising industry toward a more transparent, fair, and human-centric future.

Shared Vision for an Open Ecosystem: The Prebid Summit was not merely an industry gathering but also a yearly audit of the open Internet.
Attendees widely agreed that in an era of full AI penetration, privacy restructuring, and redefined global data flows, the power of open standards has become more vital than ever.
A Prebid.org representative concluded, “AI will not replace human judgment but will expand human creativity. The future of the open web depends on how we maintain balance between transparency and innovation.”

In conclusion, the 2025 Prebid Summit, centered on AI and Internet evolution, offered new perspectives for the global advertising and publishing industries. Technological innovation, data ethics, and open collaboration are jointly defining the next phase of the digital ecosystem. The Manhattan summit not only marked a pivotal moment in the AI revolution but also set the tone of openness and trust for the next decade of the ad-driven Internet.