When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

AtMobile World Congress 2025in Barcelona, AI is the hottest topic on peoples lips.

All of this could stem from a straightforward verbal command.

A hand holding a phone running the ChatGPT app, the Rabbit R1 on a grey background, and a Humane AI Pin on someone’s lapel

‘Appless’ AI assistants like Rabbit and the ill-fated Humane AI pin have been floated before, with limited success.

Digital doubles

Your personal AI agent, Malladi explains, is the equivalent of your digital persona.

If anything, Id be happier with an agent that offers a more distinct and unique personality.

Thats not the only issue I have with this whole process, though.

Google Maps on two iPhone 12 Pro devices sitting side by side.

Is Google Maps really a tool that needs to be filtered through an AI agent?

Weve been living in this app-centric world for about fifteen years now, he says.

These apps are silos by themselves.

Hes not entirely wrong.

A press shot of the Asus ROG Tessen mobile gaming controller

I’m still going to have a tonne of games on my phone, too - AI agents can’t replace that.

The agent is the first interface, and theonlyinterface, Malladi explains.

Youre never going to see the apps.

That feels a bit unlikely.

For starters, some apps are borderline non-functional without a proper visual interface.

The death of apps?

There are other problems with this appless vision of the future of tech.

This is the next step in this process.

And what about free software that relies on in-app ad revenue to turn a profit?

Im reluctant to say outright that Ill refuse to embrace AI agents if they do become widespread.