AI Agents Will Replace 80% of Apps - Here's What That Means for Your Business
Imagine never needing to open another fitness app, calendar tool, or food delivery service. According to OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger, AI agents will make most standalone apps obsolete by handling these tasks directly. This seismic shift in software usage will transform how businesses operate and create opportunities for those who adapt early.
Why 80% of Apps Will Become Obsolete
Most business owners today juggle dozens of apps - for scheduling, fitness tracking, food delivery, and more. Each requires separate logins, subscriptions, and attention. According to OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger, this fragmented experience is about to disappear as AI agents absorb these functions.
Steinberger observed early adopters on Discord already replacing apps with agent workflows. "Why do you need MyFitnessPal when the agent already knows where you are?" he asks in the discussion. The agent understands context like your sleep quality, stress levels, and location to make better decisions than any single app could.
The key insight: Apps provide narrow functionality while agents integrate across domains with rich personal context. This makes standalone apps redundant for most daily tasks.
How Agents Outperform Traditional Apps
Traditional apps force users into rigid workflows designed by developers. Agents flip this model by adapting to how each user thinks and works. As Steinberger explains, "It could show me UI just as I like."
Agents eliminate app switching by handling cross-platform tasks seamlessly. Need to schedule a dinner? An agent can check calendars, text friends, and make reservations without opening multiple apps. They also reduce subscription fatigue by consolidating functionality that previously required separate paid services.
Example: Your agent knows when you're traveling for business and can automatically adjust your gym routine, meal plans, and sleep schedule based on your hotel location and meeting schedule - no separate apps needed.
The Coming Business Transformation
This shift will disrupt software companies that fail to adapt. Steinberger predicts "a whole category of apps that are no longer used because agents can do it better." The impact parallels how the internet forced businesses to rethink their models.
Companies clinging to closed ecosystems will struggle. Steinberger notes how Google makes API access difficult, forcing workarounds. Meanwhile, services offering clean APIs will thrive as agents prefer them. This creates pressure for businesses to become agent-friendly.
Business opportunity: Companies that transform their apps into agent-facing APIs first will gain significant competitive advantage in the new ecosystem.
New Opportunities in an Agent-First World
While many apps will disappear, new service categories will emerge. Steinberger envisions "new companies that solve" agent-specific needs. These include:
- Agent allowance services: Budget management for tasks agents perform
- Human-assisted services: "Rent a human" options when agents need help
- Specialized APIs: Services optimized for agent consumption
Early examples include Uber Eats adapting to work seamlessly with agents. Companies providing the cleanest API access will become preferred partners in the agent ecosystem.
How Companies Are Responding
Business reactions range from resistance to embrace. Some companies like Medium and Cloudflare actively block agent access, while others recognize the inevitable shift.
Steinberger notes how users increasingly avoid services that fight agents: "I learned that maybe I don't click on Medium because it's annoying." This creates a powerful incentive for businesses to accommodate agent workflows.
Strategic choice: Companies must decide whether to resist agents (and risk becoming obsolete) or adapt their offerings to thrive in the new ecosystem.
The Future of User Experience
The agent revolution fundamentally changes how users interact with technology. Instead of app hopping, users will simply tell their agent what they want done. As Steinberger puts it: "I don't want the need to open apps for that."
This fluid, conversational interface represents the next evolution beyond mobile apps. Agents will handle the complexity behind the scenes while presenting each user with a personalized experience matching their preferences and needs.
When Will This Transformation Happen?
Early adopters are already shifting to agent-first workflows. Mass adoption will follow as agent capabilities improve and more services become agent-friendly.
Steinberger's observations suggest the transition will accelerate over the next 2-3 years. Businesses preparing now will be positioned to lead rather than react to these changes.
Action step: Audit your digital products and services for agent compatibility. Identify which features could be exposed through APIs and which workflows could be agent-enhanced.
Watch the Full Discussion
For deeper insights into how AI agents will transform software usage, watch Peter Steinberger's full conversation with Lex Fridman. At 4:32, they discuss specific examples of apps already being replaced by agent workflows.
Key Takeaways
The shift to agent-first computing represents both disruption and opportunity for businesses. Companies that adapt their offerings for agent integration will thrive, while those clinging to closed app models risk obsolescence.
In summary: AI agents will replace most single-purpose apps by providing integrated, context-aware functionality. Businesses should start preparing now by developing agent-friendly APIs and rethinking their user experience for an agent-first world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger predicts AI agents will replace about 80% of current apps by handling their core functions directly.
Agents can access APIs or simulate app usage through browser automation, making standalone apps unnecessary for many tasks. This includes fitness trackers, sleep monitors, meal planners, and other single-purpose utilities.
- 80% of current apps may become obsolete
- Agents either use APIs or simulate user interactions
- Single-purpose utilities are most vulnerable
Instead of opening multiple apps, users will simply tell their agent what they want done.
The agent will handle the task by combining data from various sources, executing actions across platforms, and presenting results in a unified interface tailored to the user's preferences. This eliminates app switching and creates a more natural workflow.
- Conversational interface replaces app hopping
- Cross-platform task execution
- Personalized presentation of results
Single-purpose utility apps (like fitness trackers, sleep monitors, and meal planners) are most vulnerable because agents can integrate their functionality with richer context about the user's life.
Apps that don't provide API access may still be used through simulated interactions, but this creates friction that makes them less desirable than agent-friendly alternatives.
- Fitness and health trackers
- Meal planning and nutrition apps
- Basic productivity utilities
Apps that transform into being agent-facing APIs will thrive. Services like Uber Eats that quickly adapt to work seamlessly with agents will maintain relevance.
Some complex creative tools may also persist as they offer specialized interfaces that are difficult to replicate through agent interactions alone.
- Agent-friendly APIs will replace many apps
- Services adapting quickly will survive
- Specialized creative tools may persist
Some companies like Google are resisting by making API access difficult, while others are embracing the change.
There's growing tension between companies trying to prevent agent access and users demanding seamless integration. This dynamic will likely resolve as market forces push toward agent-friendly solutions.
- Some resist through API restrictions
- Others embrace agent integration
- Market forces favoring openness
Businesses can create agent-specific services, develop tools for managing agent interactions, or build specialized APIs.
There's also demand for human-assisted services that agents can call upon when needed, creating opportunities for hybrid human-AI service models.
- Agent management tools
- Specialized APIs
- Hybrid human-AI services
Early adopters are already shifting to agent-first workflows, with mass adoption likely within 2-3 years as agent capabilities improve and more services become agent-friendly.
The transition will accelerate as users experience the convenience of agent-handled tasks compared to traditional app workflows.
- Early adopters leading now
- Mass adoption in 2-3 years
- Accelerating as benefits become clear
GrowwStacks helps businesses prepare for the agent-first future by developing custom AI workflows, creating agent-friendly APIs, and automating processes across multiple platforms.
We offer free consultations to assess how your business can adapt to this transformation, whether through API development, workflow automation, or complete agent integration strategies.
- Custom AI workflows tailored to your business
- Agent-friendly API development
- Free consultation to plan your transition
Ready to Future-Proof Your Business with AI Agents?
Every day you delay adapting to the agent revolution puts your business at greater risk. Our team at GrowwStacks can help you develop the APIs and automation workflows that will keep you competitive in the coming AI-first world.