Sure they can - they're just another API interface tailored for LLMs. I think parent and OP are in fact ranting about that (many APIs being locked behind signups or paywalls). Not sure I agree with the criticism though. In my view, web 2.0 was a huge success: we went from a world with almost no APIs to one where nearly every major website or app offers one. That's real progress, even if we didn't turn every business into an open data non-profit.