Apps Are Going to Disappear: Nothing CEO Carl Pei’s Bold AI Agents Prediction

Carl Pei, CEO and co-founder of Nothing, has made a striking prediction about the future of smartphones—traditional apps may soon become obsolete, replaced by intelligent AI agents that handle tasks seamlessly in the background.

Speaking at the SXSW conference in Austin, Pei outlined a transformative shift in how users will interact with their devices.

‘Apps Are Going to Disappear’
Pei criticized the current app-based ecosystem as outdated, noting that it has remained largely unchanged since the launch of the Apple iPhone nearly two decades ago.

He highlighted how even simple activities—like planning a coffee meet-up—require juggling multiple apps for messaging, calendars, bookings, and transport. According to Pei, this turns users into “operators” managing unnecessary digital tasks.

“In terms of AI in software, apps are going to disappear,” he said, warning startups that app-centric models could soon face disruption.

Rise of AI Agents and Intent-Based Interaction
Pei envisions a future where users simply express their intent—through voice or text—and AI agents take over. These systems would handle everything from scheduling meetings to booking rides and making reservations without requiring users to open individual apps.

This “agentic” approach, he believes, will make smartphones more intuitive, efficient, and engaging, eliminating friction from everyday digital interactions.

Call for Developers to Adapt
Highlighting the need for industry readiness, Pei urged developers and companies to shift focus toward building robust APIs and integrations. This would allow AI agents to directly interact with services, bypassing traditional app interfaces.

He emphasized that businesses relying solely on standalone apps risk becoming obsolete if they fail to adapt to this evolving ecosystem.

A New Era for Mobile Technology
While Pei did not specify a timeline, his remarks signal a major shift in the future of mobile computing. As AI capabilities continue to advance rapidly, the concept of app-less smartphones is gaining traction among tech leaders.

With Nothing already known for its design-focused and user-centric devices, Pei’s vision adds momentum to the growing debate over how artificial intelligence will redefine the smartphone experience in the years ahead.