Nothing CEO Carl Pei predicts the smartphone app era is ending, replaced by AI agents handling tasks like booking rides or shopping end-to-end.

Pei argues modern smartphones are cluttered by fragmented apps, each requiring separate logins and interfaces for basic tasks like trip planning or messaging. He envisions a future where users simply state their intent – 'Get me a ride home' – and an AI agent orchestrates the process, eliminating app switching.

This shift moves computing from app-centric to intent-centric, though Pei offers no concrete product roadmap. Nothing is exploring deeper AI integration, potentially reimagining the entire interface away from icon grids and app stores. However, entrenched apps and developer reliance mean this transition won't happen quickly.

While convenient, Pei's vision raises concerns about reduced user control and transparency in AI-driven decisions, potentially replacing one interface with an opaque black box.