Carl Pei, the co-founder and CEO of Nothing, has stirred conversations across the tech industry with his latest prediction: the traditional app-based smartphone experience may soon become obsolete. Speaking about the future of mobile technology, Pei suggested that apps could gradually “disappear” as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in devices.

According to him, smartphones are evolving toward a more “agentic” model—where AI agents act on behalf of users, reducing the need to manually open and navigate apps.

Rise of Agentic AI in Smartphones

Pei’s comments reflect a broader shift toward AI-driven interfaces. Instead of relying on separate apps for tasks like booking a cab, ordering food, or scheduling meetings, users may soon interact with a single intelligent system that handles everything seamlessly.

This concept, often referred to as agentic AI, involves systems capable of understanding context, making decisions, and executing tasks across multiple services without direct user intervention. In such a setup, the app itself becomes less visible, operating in the background rather than as a primary interface.

What This Means for Users

If Pei’s vision materializes, smartphone usage could become far more intuitive. Users may no longer need to switch between multiple apps or remember where specific features are located. Instead, they could simply state their intent—through voice, text, or even predictive behavior—and let the AI handle the rest.

This could significantly reduce screen time spent navigating interfaces while improving efficiency. However, it also raises concerns about transparency, control, and user dependence on AI systems.

Impact on Developers and the App Economy

The idea of apps fading away presents both challenges and opportunities for developers. The current app ecosystem, which drives billions in revenue globally, could undergo a major transformation.

Developers may need to shift focus from building standalone apps to creating services that integrate seamlessly with AI agents. APIs, data access, and interoperability could become more important than traditional user interfaces.

Such a shift may also alter how companies monetize digital services, potentially disrupting established app store models.

Industry Momentum Toward AI-First Experiences

Pei’s remarks come at a time when major tech companies are aggressively integrating AI into their platforms. From advanced voice assistants to generative AI features embedded in operating systems, the industry is clearly moving toward more intelligent and proactive devices.

Companies like Google, Apple, and OpenAI are already working on systems that anticipate user needs and automate complex workflows, signaling that the transition to agentic computing may already be underway.

A Long-Term Vision, Not an Immediate Shift

While the idea of apps disappearing may sound dramatic, experts suggest this transformation will take time. Apps are deeply ingrained in both user behavior and the business models of the tech industry.

However, Pei’s perspective highlights an important direction: the gradual move from app-centric design to intent-driven computing. Whether apps vanish completely or simply evolve into invisible back-end services, the way people interact with smartphones is likely to change significantly in the coming years.

Conclusion

Carl Pei’s prediction underscores a pivotal moment in mobile technology. As AI continues to advance, the smartphone could transform from a collection of apps into a unified, intelligent assistant. While the timeline remains uncertain, the concept of an app-less future is gaining traction—and could redefine the digital experience as we know it.