Nothing CEO Carl Pei envisions a future where smartphones will operate without traditional apps, relying instead on AI systems that anticipate user needs. Speaking at SXSW, Pei criticized the stagnant smartphone experience since 2007, stating, “Apps are going to disappear.” He proposed a vision where AI efficiently completes tasks without user intervention. This shift could disrupt businesses built around app ecosystems, urging startups to evolve or face obsolescence as intelligent technologies reshape mobile interactions.