Key points
- AI to replace apps and operating systems
- Devices become AI-powered edge nodes
- Content generated and anticipated by AI
ISLAMABAD: Elon Musk has predicted that smartphones, as they are known today, could disappear within the next five to six years, replaced by artificial intelligence-driven devices that no longer rely on traditional apps or operating systems.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, the Tesla and SpaceX chief executive said future “phones” would function mainly as edge devices for AI inference, serving as a screen and audio interface rather than standalone computing platforms.
“We’re not going to have a phone in the traditional sense,” Musk said, explaining that devices would act as nodes connecting user-side AI with more powerful AI systems on servers. These systems, he added, would generate real-time video and content tailored to user needs, often before users even ask for it.
🇺🇸 ELON TO JOE ROGAN: “PHONES WON’T EXIST IN 5 YEARS”
He says that they’ll be replaced by AI edge nodes generating real-time video.
No apps and no OS. Just direct AI-to-user interaction anticipating your every need.
Source: @elonmusk, @joerogan pic.twitter.com/HXZuR6AQNY
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 8, 2026
Musk suggested that operating systems and mobile applications would become obsolete, comparing apps to Blockbuster Video — once dominant, now defunct. “There won’t be operating systems or apps,” he said. “It’ll just be a device there for the screen and audio, with as much AI on the device as possible to minimise bandwidth use.”
AI systems
According to Musk, the shift would allow AI systems to anticipate user preferences and instantly deliver content, effectively reshaping how people interact with technology. He said most digital consumption in the near future would be driven by AI-generated material, including music, videos and other forms of media.
The billionaire pointed to recent advances in AI-generated video, noting that tools are already capable of producing coherent clips lasting 10 to 15 minutes. He suggested that this technology would continue to improve rapidly, accelerating the decline of traditional software ecosystems.
When asked about the timeline for this transformation, Musk estimated that it could happen within five or six years, possibly sooner. “Everything’s run through AI,” he said, adding that the pace of development was faster than many people expected.
Musk’s comments come amid growing debate over the future of consumer technology and the expanding role of artificial intelligence in everyday life.
