Scott & Mark Learn To... Are Apps Dead?

Scott & Mark Learn To... Are Apps Dead?

From Scott & Mark Learn To... by Microsoft

February 4, 2026 · 13 min · Season 1 · Episode 32

About this episode

Scott and Mark discuss the future of software and whether apps are becoming obsolete in the age of AI.

In this episode,  Scott Hanselman  and  Mark Russinovich  dive into a wide-ranging conversation about the future of software, debating whether apps are dead in an era of AI agents, chat interfaces, and automation. They explore the resurgence of text-based and terminal user interfaces, the limits of using large language models as stand-ins for deterministic workflows, and why reliability, security, and repeatability still demand traditional applications and SaaS platforms. Along the way, they unpack common misconceptions about AI replacing apps, argue for better UX and APIs instead of throwing AI at broken systems, and emphasize that AI is best used for reasoning and ambiguity, not as a replacement for well-designed software.     Takeaways:      AI tools don’t eliminate the need for well-built apps  Chat and terminal interfaces expand, not replace, software  Dynamic interfaces blur boundaries, but durable apps still anchor workflows    Who are they?       View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn    View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn       Watch…

People in this episode

Hosts: Scott Hanselman, Mark Russinovich

Topics covered

  • future of software
  • AI agents
  • user interfaces
  • automation
  • app reliability
  • UX design

Keywords

  • apps
  • AI
  • software
  • user interfaces
  • automation
  • SaaS
  • UX
  • APIs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Microsoft

More episodes of Scott & Mark Learn To...

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Scott & Mark Learn To... podcast page.