Nothing CEO Carl Pei Says Smartphone Apps Will Disappear as AI Agents Take Their Place
Key Points
- Carl Pei envisions smartphones powered by AI agents rather than traditional apps.
- Current app‑centric design requires users to juggle multiple apps for simple tasks.
- Initial AI features focus on command execution, but Pei finds this "super boring."
- Future AI will learn long‑term user intentions and provide proactive suggestions.
- The interface will shift from human‑focused screens to AI‑friendly designs.
- Nothing’s OS currently allows user‑created mini‑apps, but the long‑term goal is AI integration.
- Founders relying solely on apps may face disruption as AI becomes dominant.
Carl Pei, co‑founder and CEO of Nothing, told an audience at SXSW that the future of smartphones will be driven by AI agents rather than traditional apps. He argued that the current app‑centric model is outdated, requiring users to juggle multiple applications to accomplish simple tasks. Pei envisions a device that anticipates user intentions and acts on them automatically, eventually shifting the interface from human‑focused screens to AI‑friendly designs. While acknowledging that apps will still exist for now, he believes the long‑term trend will render them obsolete as AI integration deepens.
AI‑First Vision for the Smartphone
Carl Pei, the co‑founder and chief executive of Nothing, described a future where smartphones operate primarily through artificial‑intelligence agents. In his remarks at the SXSW conference, Pei explained that the next generation of devices will move beyond the traditional app ecosystem, allowing AI to carry out user intentions without explicit commands.
Why the Current Model Is Outdated
Pei criticized the existing smartphone experience as "very old‑school" and comparable to pre‑iPhone devices such as Palm Pilots. He highlighted that users today must navigate lock screens, home screens, and a multitude of full‑screen apps to complete even simple actions. For example, arranging a coffee meet‑up might involve a messaging app, a maps service, a ride‑hailing app, and a calendar, each requiring separate steps.
From Command Execution to Intent Prediction
The initial AI capability being tested by some companies, according to Pei, is the ability to execute specific commands like booking a flight or a hotel. He dismissed this as "super boring" because it still relies on explicit user instructions. The more compelling development, he said, will be AI that learns a user’s long‑term intentions. In a health‑focused scenario, the device could proactively nudge the user toward healthier choices, surfacing suggestions the user may not even realize they want.
Redesigning the Interface for AI Agents
Pei emphasized that the future interface will not be built for humans to navigate but for AI agents to operate seamlessly. He warned against designing the AI to mimic human interaction with menus and taps; instead, developers should create an interface that the AI can use directly. While Nothing’s current operating system lets users code small “mini‑apps,” Pei believes the ultimate goal is an AI that can employ functionality without a human‑oriented interface.
Transition Timeline and Market Impact
Pei clarified that apps are not disappearing overnight. However, he cautioned that founders whose core value resides in an app will face disruption as AI integration progresses. The shift, he suggested, will reshape the smartphone market and the way developers approach product design, moving from app‑centric solutions to AI‑driven experiences.