We are arguably at the very beginning of the AI era, which is poised to subsume and redefine the mobile era, much like the mobile era redefined the PC era.
The AI era signals the decline of this model in three keyways:
1. From GUI to NUI (Natural User Interface)
The primary way of interacting with technology is shifting from tapping on glass to something more intuitive.
- Old: Tapping icons, swiping through menus.
- New: Speaking or typing a request in natural language. The AI understands intent, context, and ambiguity. The interface becomes a conversation.
2. From Apps to Agents
The siloed nature of apps is becoming a bottleneck. An AI-first world replaces them with intelligent agents.
- Old: To plan a trip, you open Kayak for flights, Airbnb for lodging, and Google Maps for directions. You are the system integrator.
- New: You tell your AI agent, "Book me a weekend trip to Napa Valley for next month, find a quiet place to stay near a good vineyard, and arrange a car." The agent interacts with the APIs of all the necessary services in the background and presents you with a complete plan.
3. From Device-Centric to Ambient Computing
The smartphone's dominance is challenged as AI becomes embedded in the environment around us.
- Old: Your digital life is centered on the device you pull from your pocket.
- New: AI is accessible through various endpoints—smart glasses, headphones, cars, home speakers, and yes, still your phone. The "computer" is no longer a specific object but a layer of intelligence that is everywhere. The hardware becomes a simple portal to your personal AI.
Industry leaders are emphasizing this shift in recent times / news.