How the 2026 software crash is shifting power from SaaS apps to AI agents (www.businessinsider.com)

A recent shift in the software landscape, highlighted by Anthropic's innovation in creating capable AI agents, is challenging the dominance of traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. Rather than users relying on specific apps to perform tasks, these AI agents can now orchestrate workflows across multiple systems, thereby changing the nature of enterprise software interaction from app-driven dashboards to outcome-focused communication. This evolution suggests that the 'new front door' for businesses may not be individual applications but rather intelligent agents capable of navigating complex processes—and with this, the market is re-evaluating the value of established SaaS platforms. However, this transition is hampered by significant data challenges. While many organizations are eager to adopt AI, only a small fraction have the reliable data infrastructure needed for effective implementation. Fragmented and siloed data can lead to errors in AI-driven decision-making, emphasizing the importance of a unified, real-time context layer that governs actions and ensures data integrity. As companies work to enhance their data governance and ensure trusted contexts for AI, those that can effectively manage this transition are likely to lead in the agent-driven future, while others may face a continued decline in their valuation and market relevance.