AI agents could replace apps and reshape digital transactions, says architect of India’s DPI

AI agents and the end of the app era

Pramod Varma, co-founder of Networks for Humanity and one of the key architects of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), predicts that AI agents will replace traditional apps on smartphones. According to YourStory, Varma envisions an "AI-led agentic operating system" that could end the app era entirely, with each user having a personal agent that handles tasks autonomously.

Impact on digital transactions and value exchange

Varma suggests that AI will not just enhance software but transform how the internet functions, how businesses transact, and how value is exchanged. He raises questions about the broader implications of this shift, including who controls these transactions and how trust is established in an ecosystem where billions of AI agents interact with each other, as reported by YourStory.

The discussion highlighted the potential for AI agents to negotiate, spend money, and act on behalf of users. This could redefine digital economies, particularly in regions with robust digital infrastructure like India’s DPI, which Varma helped build.

Challenges of trust and verification

A critical question raised in the discussion is how AI agents can be trusted. Varma pointed to the need for mechanisms that verify the identity of an AI agent and its authority to represent a user. According to YourStory, this becomes especially important when agents start interacting with each other at scale, requiring new forms of infrastructure to manage trust and security.

India’s role in the next digital economy

Varma drew a connection between India’s existing DPI, such as Aadhaar and UPI, and the potential for an "Internet of Value" enabled by AI agents. He suggested that India’s digital infrastructure could position it as a leader in the next phase of the digital economy, where open networks and AI-driven transactions become the norm, as reported by YourStory.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Varma’s perspective matters because it signals a potential shift in how digital products are built and monetized. If AI agents replace apps, founders may need to rethink their product strategies, focusing on agent-compatible services rather than standalone applications. For Indian startups, this could be an opportunity to leverage the country’s DPI to build innovative, agent-driven solutions. However, the challenges of trust and verification will require new technical and regulatory frameworks, which could shape how startups and operators design their systems.