Why 80% of Apps Will Disappear: The Rise of Personal AI Agents

Artificial intelligence is entering a new phase. Instead of using dozens of separate apps, people may soon rely on a single personal AI agent that manages everything on their computer and in their life. 

 

Peter Steinberger, creator of OpenClaw, believes this shift will fundamentally reshape software—and eliminate most apps as we know them.

The Shift: From Apps to Personal AI Agents

Today’s software ecosystem is fragmented. People use separate apps for fitness, reminders, notes, scheduling, email, and productivity. Each app manages a specific type of data.

 

Personal AI agents change that model completely.

 

Instead of switching between apps, users simply talk to their AI agent. The agent handles tasks directly by interacting with the computer, files, internet, and connected devices.

 

For lowering room temperature, scheduling meetings, summarizing documents, or tracking fitness, there is no need to open separate apps. The AI agent becomes the interface.

 

As Steinberger explains, when the agent runs directly on your computer, it can access everything you can access—and act on your behalf.

Why 80% of Apps Will Become Obsolete

Most apps exist to store, manage, or display user data.

For example:

  • To-do apps store tasks

  • Fitness apps track health data

  • Notes apps store information

  • Reminder apps manage schedules

But an AI agent can handle all of these functions without separate apps.

Instead of opening a fitness app, users can say:

 

“Track my workout and adjust my routine.”

 

The agent automatically records data, analyzes behavior, and optimizes the schedule.

 

Instead of opening a reminder app:

 

“Remind me to call John tomorrow.”

 

The agent remembers and notifies the user.

 

As Steinberger explains, users do not care where the data is stored. They only care that the task gets done. This makes many apps unnecessary.

The Real Advantage: Agents That Run Locally

Most current AI tools operate in the cloud. But OpenClaw runs directly on the user’s computer.

 

This difference is critical.

 

When the agent runs locally, it can:

  • Access files directly

  • Control the mouse and keyboard

  • Interact with applications

  • Search personal data

  • Execute commands instantly

This allows the agent to act like a digital extension of the user.

 

Steinberger describes the agent as a “friend” that can control the computer and perform tasks autonomously.

Agents Will Replace Interfaces

Traditional apps rely on graphical interfaces: buttons, menus, and screens.

 

AI agents replace interfaces with conversation.

 

Instead of:

  • Opening an email app

  • Clicking compose

  • Typing the message

Users simply say:

 

“Send an email to Sarah about the meeting.”

 

The agent handles everything. This removes friction and increases speed while the software becomes invisible.

The Rise of Agent-to-Agent Communication

A powerful future development is agent-to-agent interaction.

 

Your AI agent could:

  • Book restaurants

  • Schedule meetings

  • Negotiate services

  • Hire humans when necessary

For example, your agent could contact a restaurant’s system and reserve a table automatically.

 

This creates an autonomous digital economy where agents interact on behalf of humans.

 

Steinberger describes this as a natural next step because it is more efficient than manual interaction.

The Importance of Memory: The New Competitive Advantage

In the AI era, memory becomes more valuable than apps.

 

Personal AI agents store detailed records of user behavior, preferences, habits, and conversations.

 

This memory enables:

  • Personalization

  • Automation

  • Predictive assistance

The more memory an agent has, the more useful it becomes.

 

Steinberger emphasizes that in OpenClaw, users own their memory locally as simple files, giving them full control.  This ownership model is a major shift from cloud-controlled platforms.

Models Will Become Commoditized

Today, companies compete based on AI model quality.

 

But over time, models will become interchangeable.

 

New models constantly replace older ones. What was impressive yesterday becomes standard today.

 

This means the real value will not lie in the model itself, but in:

  • Memory

  • Integration

  • User trust

  • Workflow control

The agent, not the model becomes the product.

What This Means for Builders and Entrepreneurs

This shift creates massive opportunities.

 

Builders should focus on:

 

  1. Agents, Not Apps: Instead of building standalone apps, build agent capabilities.
  2. Tools That Extend Agents: Create tools that agents can use, such as APIs, services, and automation systems.
  3. Memory-Driven Software: Software that improves with user interaction will dominate.
  4. Local-First AI: Users increasingly want privacy and control. Local AI systems will grow rapidly.

The Future: One Agent Instead of 100 Apps

The traditional app model is inefficient. It requires users to manage software manually.

 

AI agents automate this process. Instead of using many apps, users rely on one intelligent agent.

 

This agent:

  • Knows their preferences

  • Manages their tasks

  • Automates workflows

  • Learns continuously

This is why Steinberger predicts that 80% of apps will disappear.

We are moving from an app-based world to an agent-based world.

  • Apps were designed for human interaction.
  • Agents are designed for autonomous action.

This shift will reshape software, productivity, and business.

 

The winners will be those who build tools and systems that empower AI agents—not those who build traditional apps.