"Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI are racing to develop "operating systems" for AI-powered devices-and 2026 is likely the year these efforts will start to take off. The devices are largely built around a future where AI agents can take actions on a user's behalf, without requiring them to visit an app or website. In theory, this sounds like an idyllic relationship between humans and technology."
"But it could rewrite the business model for a huge swath of consumer tech companies. Instead of tapping through apps filled with ads and upsells, AI devices promise that a user will be able to ask for an outcome, and get it. An AI assistant will-in theory-book your travel, order you lunch, or restock your paper towels. It should be able to figure out which service has what you need and which can offer it quickly and cheaply."
"Leaving aside the nontrivial problem that AI agents today can be fairly unreliable, AI-powered operating systems also threaten to separate companies from their users. That could be a nightmare for app developers. Companies like Uber and DoorDash have historically relied on keeping consumers in their apps, where they can serve ads, upsell other services, and build loyalty to keep users coming back."
Major tech companies are racing to create operating systems for AI-powered devices, with 2026 expected as an inflection year. These devices center on AI agents that can take actions on a user's behalf without visiting apps or websites. AI assistants can book travel, order food, or restock supplies by selecting fast, cheap services. The agents risk being unreliable today. AI-powered operating systems could separate companies from their users, threatening app-based monetization through ads, upsells, and loyalty programs. Services like Uber and DoorDash depend on keeping consumers in apps to sell additional services. Companies lacking deep control over product supply may struggle to reach users through AI agents.
Read at WIRED
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