AI agents become the biggest threat: consumer software companies face uncertain futures
In the latest episode of the All-In Podcast, Uber founder Travis Kalanick revealed that almost all the CEOs of leading consumer software companies he knows are deeply anxious about AI agents. These agents are completely disrupting past product logic. Users no longer need to open a bunch of apps, but can instead complete all cross-platform task processes through a simple command that lets AI handle everything automatically.
He cited Perplexity or OpenAI as examples, stating that the AI agents they developed can not only simulate human operations but also perform tasks in the browser, even bypassing anti-scraping mechanisms and logging in with user accounts. This is not just about optimizing user experience but is fundamentally rewriting the infrastructure of interaction with the digital world. Kalanick described feeling like a 'psychological counselor' for tech CEOs:
I always tell them, you have real substance, you have a moat, you possess truly valuable things that AI agents cannot replace. However, some things have a moat, while others may not.
He admitted that in the face of such rapid changes, most CEOs are still searching for new positioning.
AI will turn to self-training: human knowledge data is gradually depleting
At the same time, they discussed Elon Musk's xAI recent launch of the Grok 4 model, which demonstrated powerful 'multi-agent collaboration' capabilities. It can solve mathematical, programming, and logical problems, and allow multiple agents to verify each other's answers and seek optimal solutions. Surprisingly, the team mentioned: 'In the future, AI will no longer rely on humans to provide data, but rather AI agents will generate synthetic data for self-training.'
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SPAC founder Chamath Palihapitiya pointed out that this concept echoes the 'The Bitter Lesson' theory proposed by computer reinforcement learning pioneer Rich Sutton, which states that in all fields, relying on large-scale computation for general learning methods will ultimately defeat training methods that rely on manually provided knowledge data:
AI will be able to independently establish arguments and write papers, even conduct self-assessments, promising unprecedented breakthrough potential for high-knowledge fields like science and medicine.
Perplexity launches AI browser Comet
Additionally, the disruption of interfaces by AI agents has pushed browsers, as essential tools for human interaction with the web, to the brink of extinction. The newly launched Comet by Perplexity is an 'agent browser' capable of automatically searching, placing orders, and autonomously reading Gmail and calendars, possessing the full ability to simulate human operations.
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However, angel investor Jason Calacanis bluntly stated that in the future where AI agents will directly replace browsing needs, continuing to invest in developing the browser itself may be 'foolish capital allocation.'
He believes that Perplexity should focus more on B2B vertical markets, like financial information platforms such as Bloomberg terminals:
The Bloomberg Terminal is complex and has an outdated interface, having been criticized for years. If AI agents can replace such platforms and provide more real-time and personalized professional information output, it is expected to reshape the financial industry.
Extended Reading
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AI is rewriting the operational rules of the digital world
The development of AI agents is not just a technological advance but a complete reshaping of user interfaces, data acquisition methods, and product design logic. When tasks can be automatically completed by AI agents, and users no longer actively participate but passively deliver demands, the functionality and value of traditional software are rapidly collapsing.
Thus, for companies, clarifying their positioning, seizing potential opportunities and needs, and creating a solid moat has become the key to survival in the current intense market competition.
This article is authorized for reprint from: (Chain News)
Original title: (AI Agents are Rewriting User Digital Experience: Even Consumer Software CEOs are Anxious, Self-Training Will Become the Norm)
Original author: Crumax
The article 'AI Agents Rewrite User Experience! Even CEOs of Consumer Software are Anxious, and Self-Training Will Become the Norm' was originally published in 'Crypto City'
