Like SaaSpocalpse, I think this narrative really overestimates how many people actually use AI. Habits take time to build, and the vast majority of the population just doesn't use AI the way power users think. Or have formed the habits to ask AI to help them save cash. Even if it does happen, it's a super long-tailed thing that isn't going to manifest anytime soon.
I thought this too, but the difference may be that if the learning curve for using agents is shallow enough people will adopt them quickly. Like, excel is a great tool but most people won’t bother to learn it (this audience excepted of course). But if I can just type my instructions into an app in plain English and the agent will do it that’s not very hard.
No doubt it will be impactful to a degree, but to the point where it starts disrupting entire industry trends and business models? I somehow find that hard to believe. More likely than not this is just another scare which will evaporate after a few months. Just think of how quickly SaaSpocalpse blew over, the Citrini article came out in Feb and it's now more or less irrelevant.
I think for many people aesthetics, style, and status will still matter, and brands may retain their value similar to how they have in the past. Granted that’s always been a fickle sort of value, but I think it’ll hold up in general.
Where I would worry is brokerage type businesses, like the OTAs, Brown & Brown, Marsh McLennan, etc. And probably staffing agencies. Maybe those have been hit already, I haven’t looked - but that seems like applying for and vetting candidates for jobs could easily be done by agents. To the end, I would think job switching in general will be easier if your agent can just always be applying for jobs on your behalf, and having a strong company culture where people actually enjoy their jobs will be an even stronger moat.
Like SaaSpocalpse, I think this narrative really overestimates how many people actually use AI. Habits take time to build, and the vast majority of the population just doesn't use AI the way power users think. Or have formed the habits to ask AI to help them save cash. Even if it does happen, it's a super long-tailed thing that isn't going to manifest anytime soon.
I thought this too, but the difference may be that if the learning curve for using agents is shallow enough people will adopt them quickly. Like, excel is a great tool but most people won’t bother to learn it (this audience excepted of course). But if I can just type my instructions into an app in plain English and the agent will do it that’s not very hard.
No doubt it will be impactful to a degree, but to the point where it starts disrupting entire industry trends and business models? I somehow find that hard to believe. More likely than not this is just another scare which will evaporate after a few months. Just think of how quickly SaaSpocalpse blew over, the Citrini article came out in Feb and it's now more or less irrelevant.
Agreed, it’s definitely overblown in some regards. Remember when they said we’d do everything via Alexa and Google Home? 😂
Man that's a blast from the past 😂
I think Amazon just answered this problem - https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2026/09/21/amazon-blocks-metas-new-muse-ai-agent-from-shopping-on-amazoncom/
I think for many people aesthetics, style, and status will still matter, and brands may retain their value similar to how they have in the past. Granted that’s always been a fickle sort of value, but I think it’ll hold up in general.
Where I would worry is brokerage type businesses, like the OTAs, Brown & Brown, Marsh McLennan, etc. And probably staffing agencies. Maybe those have been hit already, I haven’t looked - but that seems like applying for and vetting candidates for jobs could easily be done by agents. To the end, I would think job switching in general will be easier if your agent can just always be applying for jobs on your behalf, and having a strong company culture where people actually enjoy their jobs will be an even stronger moat.
Interesting premise, but am I underrating how much people price compared already?