In a significant move to protect online content, Cloudflare has announced that it will block AI data scrapers and crawlers by default on millions of websites. This initiative aims to safeguard the interests of media firms and content creators amid the ongoing AI boom. With the introduction of a Pay Per Crawl model, website owners will have the ability to monetize access for AI bots, marking a dramatic transformation in online content management. This program, which some industry insiders believe could generate over $500 million in its first year, is positioned as a response to the perceived existential threat that AI tools pose to traditional publishing and content creation. As Cloudflare changes the rules of internet engagement, it also allows clients to control how their work is utilized by AI platforms, injecting a new business model into the digital landscape.