Automattic Premieres 20-Minute Film Urging Users to Defend Open Internet as Closed AI Gains Ground
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jul 8
Automattic Premieres 20-Minute Film Urging Users to Defend Open Internet as Closed AI Gains Ground
1 articles · Updated · Variety · Jul 8
Summary
July 9 marks the free online release of Automattic-funded documentary “Code for the People,” a 20-minute call for users to back open-source tools and resist closed digital ecosystems.
Bao Nguyen said the film was built as an accessible, human-centered manifesto rather than a dystopian tech critique, aiming to turn dense debates about the web into practical action for everyday users.
Anil Dash argued users increasingly value open-source products because they fear lock-in by commercial software vendors, while Paolo Belcastro said better user experience—not ideology alone—is what wins people to open platforms.
The film also targets black-box AI: Dash said major AI companies use web-scraped data without meaningful consent, while panelists pointed to open-source AI and personal domain ownership as ways to restore user control online.
Can a fragmented open-source movement ever build an ethical AI to rival Big Tech's models trained on our scraped data?
As AI agents gain control of websites, is the 'open web' simply trading one set of corporate masters for another?
If open-source culture can produce 'mediocre crap,' how can it truly compete with the polished 'walled gardens' of Big Tech?
Defending the Open Web: How "Code for the People" and Automattic’s WordPress (Powering 43% of the Internet) Challenge Closed AI and Walled Gardens
Overview
Launching in July 2026 with major premiere events in San Francisco and New York, the documentary 'Code for the People' introduces a powerful message about defending the open web against the growing threats of walled gardens and closed AI. These closed systems are eroding the internet’s original promise, leading to restricted user choice, limited data portability, and less innovation. Automattic, known for its commitment to open source, drives this initiative to highlight the urgent need for a more open, user-controlled digital future. The film aims to engage audiences and spark action to preserve internet freedom.