Speaking at the SXSW event, Pei suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) agents will replace apps, fundamentally changing how users interact with their devices.

According to Pei, the current smartphone interface-built around lock screens, home screens, and individual apps-is nearly two decades old and has seen little innovation. He described the system as "outdated and complex," arguing that constantly switching between apps for different tasks has made the user experience cumbersome.

To illustrate his point, Pei cited a common scenario: planning a simple outing for coffee. A user may need to open multiple apps to book a table, send messages, set reminders, and arrange transport. "In this process, the user becomes the operator," he noted, highlighting how routine tasks have turned into a series of manual steps.

Pei believes AI agents will eliminate this friction. In the future, users will only need to express their requirements-such as planning a meeting or going out-and AI will automatically handle every step, from reservations to scheduling and travel arrangements. This shift, he said, will make smartphone usage faster, more intuitive, and significantly more efficient.

He also issued a warning to developers and tech companies, urging them to adapt to this coming change. Instead of focusing solely on building standalone apps, companies should develop systems that can integrate with AI agents, such as APIs and backend connectors. "In the future, AI will operate apps, not humans," Pei emphasized.

If this vision materializes, it could mark one of the biggest transformations in smartphone technology since the advent of app ecosystems, redefining how users interact with digital services.