Are AI agents the new apps?

Are AI agents the new apps?

From TechFirst with John Koetsier by John Koetsier

April 7, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the future of AI agents in software, exploring their differences from traditional apps and the implications for developers and enterprises.

Are AI agents really the future of software — or just the latest wave of hype? In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier sits down with Don Murray, CEO of Safe Software, to break down what’s actually happening with “agentic AI.” From AI-washing and “agent-washing” to real-world use cases in coding, automation, and enterprise software, this conversation cuts through the noise. They explore how AI agents differ from traditional apps, why intent-based software is emerging, and how developers are already shipping faster with AI writing code. But it’s not all upside — there are real risks, from security vulnerabilities to the possibility of AI-driven mistakes at massive scale. You’ll also hear: • Why “agentic AI” might just be a rebrand of automation • How AI is changing software development (and junior dev roles) • The surprising productivity boost for senior engineers • Why AI could make companies faster — and more fragile • The rise of “good enough” content and the risk of mediocrity • How enterprises are (and aren’t) keeping up Plus: what happens when AI starts building itself — and whether we’re heading toward a breaking point. ⸻ This episode is sponsored by Apprentice…

People in this episode

Host: John Koetsier

Guest: Don Murray

Topics covered

  • AI agents
  • software development
  • automation
  • enterprise software
  • security vulnerabilities

Keywords

  • agentic AI
  • AI-washing
  • intent-based software
  • productivity boost
  • good enough content

Sponsors

Apprentice

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Apprentice, Claude, Gemini, AI-native manufacturing, coding automation

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