During the Build 2025 conference, Microsoft unveiled a new initiative called NLWeb, which stands for Natural Language Web. This project is designed to create a framework for websites that enables them to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) models. By integrating AI capabilities, these websites will be able to respond to user inquiries in natural language, effectively transforming the way information is accessed online. Microsoft anticipates that NLWeb could revolutionize AI-enabled web experiences in a manner reminiscent of the impact HTML had on website development.
Microsoft Aims to Transform Websites into AI Applications with NLWeb
In a recent announcement, Microsoft clarified its vision for NLWeb, depicting it as a paradigm shift in web technology. The initiative will replace conventional search functionalities with an AI-driven chatbot interface, allowing users to interact with web content using conversational language. This technology is designed to make it straightforward for website owners to convert their sites into AI applications.
According to the company, NLWeb offers what it describes as “the fastest and easiest way to effectively turn your website into an AI app,” enabling users to inquire about site content as they would with an AI assistant or a Copilot feature. However, the project’s ambitions extend beyond merely adding AI chatbots to websites.
Every website implementing NLWeb will also function as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Developed by Anthropic, MCP serves as a universal standard for connecting AI systems with external data sources. By endorsing this protocol, NLWeb sites will ensure that their content is accessible and indexable by AI agents and other participants within the MCP ecosystem.
This approach lays the foundation for a new architecture of interconnected NLWeb-enabled sites, facilitating data extraction by AI agents and empowering them to perform various tasks. “Ultimately, we believe NLWeb can play a similar role to HTML in the emerging agentic web,” Microsoft explained.
With the introduction of NLWeb, Microsoft envisions the creation of an internet that is friendly to AI agents, thereby enabling the broader use of browser-based agentic tools. In this framework, AI agents could undertake increasingly complex activities, such as negotiating deals with sales representatives, verifying warranty information, and processing returns independently.
Importantly, Microsoft has emphasized that NLWeb is designed to be technology agnostic, supporting multiple operating systems, AI models, and vector databases. The concept and development of NLWeb are credited to RV Guha, who recently joined Microsoft as Corporate Vice President and Technical Fellow.
