Nothing CEO says AI agents will take over smartphone apps
What's the story
Carl Pei, the co-founder and CEO of tech company Nothing, has predicted a future where smartphone apps will become obsolete. He believes that artificial intelligence (AI) agents will take their place in this new era. "In terms of AI in software, I think people should understand that apps are going to disappear," Pei said during an interview at the SXSW conference in Austin.
AI integration
Pei's vision for 'AI-first device'
Pei's comments come as part of his broader vision for an "AI-first device." This concept was instrumental in helping Nothing raise $200 million in its Series C funding round last year. The company had pitched the idea of a new kind of smartphone that would use AI and personalization technology to such an extent that users wouldn't feel compelled to double-check its output.
AI evolution
Shift from apps to AI agents
Pei envisions a future where smartphones will be powered by AI agents instead of traditional apps. He believes that this shift could disrupt the current app-based model, whether founders and startups are ready for it or not. "So, if you're a founder or a start-up and your app is like where the core value lies, that will be disrupted whether you like it or not," Pei said at SXSW.
User experience
Critique of current smartphone user experience
Pei also criticized the current way we use smartphones, calling it "very old-school." He compared today's user experience with that of Palm Pilots and PDAs from years ago. "The current way we use phones is very old-school. It's pre-iPhone," he said. This frustration stems from the fact that while technology has advanced significantly, our interaction with these devices hasn't changed much over two decades.
AI advocacy
Future of smartphones and AI integration
Pei believes that the future of smartphones should be an experience where the device knows you well enough to execute your intentions without you having to navigate through multiple apps. "It should just do it through AI," he said. This vision also implies that future devices would have an interface designed for AI agents, not humans.