Where Are the "Killer Apps" of AI? (www.oreilly.com)

In a thought-provoking exploration of the current state of AI technology, industry veteran discusses the absence of a "killer app" for AI, paralleling historical technological revolutions. While tools like ChatGPT and Claude Code have generated significant excitement and productivity in coding, the author argues that they resemble foundational technologies rather than transformative applications that redefine user experiences. Just as VisiCalc was a game-changer for personal computing and the web's true value lay in the innovative applications built atop its infrastructure, the current AI landscape may still await a breakthrough that will fundamentally alter the way people engage with technology. The discussion emphasizes that the AI/ML community might still be in the preliminary stages of innovation, akin to the early days of the web, where foundational platforms were established but not yet fully realized in terms of impactful applications. Key constraints—such as mechanisms for secure transactions or accountability for AI agents—need to be addressed before the potential of AI can be fully unlocked. This reflection serves as a call to action for developers to think beyond current capabilities and consider what transformative applications could emerge once the necessary infrastructure is in place.