Nothing CEO says apps will soon disappear from your smartphones, AI will take over everything 

Nothing CEO Carl Pei believes that the way we use smartphones is about to change. Users may no longer need apps as AI agents will be able to do everything we need on our phones in the future.

When the iPhone launched in 2007, it revolutionalised the phone industry. Gone were the old keypad phones or those capacitive-touch smartphones, everyone wanted the iPhone – to use apps, have a nice touchscreen, and a clean software experience. Now, Nothing CEO Carl Pei believes that we are set for another revolution in the smartphone industry, one that could replace apps with AI agents.

Carl reckons that for almost two decades, the smartphone experience has been stagnated with the same elements. He told SXSW, “You have lock screens, home screens, apps. You browse different apps. Each app is like a full-screen thing. There’s some kind of app store that allows you to download more apps. So, it hasn’t really changed for like, 20 years.”

Pei added, “In terms of AI in software, I think people should understand that apps are going to disappear.”

AI is already rattling the software industry. Tools like Anthropic’s Claude Cowork have shaken investor confidence in SaaS companies such as TCS and Infosys. SaaS companies like Atlassian have laid off thousands of workers as they prepare to be more AI-driven.

The Nothing chief believes that AI can transform how we use smartphones completely. According to Pei, AI agents will make it much simpler when it comes to getting tasks done. He said, “It’s very hard to get things done on a phone It’s probably like four apps to grab coffee with somebody — some messaging app, some kind of maps, Uber, calendar.”

Instead of going through various apps to arrange for a coffee meeting, the AI agent will do it all for the user at once. He explained, “I think the future of smartphones or operating systems should just be, ‘I know you very well, and if I know your intention, I just do it for you.’”