The 2026 AI Operating Systems Race: Killing the App Model

The era of tapping through apps is ending. Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI are racing to develop 'operating systems' for AI-powered devices—and 2026 is the year these efforts are finally hitting the mainstream.

The 2026 AI Operating Systems Race: A Shift in Control

These new systems are built around AI agents that act on a user's behalf, eliminating the need to visit individual apps or websites. While this promise of seamless automation sounds ideal for consumers, it's a potential nightmare for app developers. Companies like Uber and DoorDash rely on keeping users within their platforms to serve ads and upsell services.

Resistance is already mounting. Amazon recently sued Perplexity for scraping its site to perform purchases. Meanwhile, Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu noted that major developers are reluctant to grant API access because they make money through advertisements. However, others are leaning in; Expedia and Ticketmaster have already integrated with ChatGPT and Alexa+ as early agentic features.

Internal Friction: Jerry Tworek Departs OpenAI

As the platform war heats up, internal friction is surfacing at OpenAI. Jerry Tworek, the VP of Research, announced his departure on Monday. Tworek's exit follows a disagreement with Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki regarding the company's research direction.

A December reorganization left Tworek with fewer resources for his specific research bets, as leadership sided with Pachocki. This departure highlights the increasing tension in AI labs as they prioritize specific breakthroughs amidst fierce competition from Google and Anthropic.