As agentic AI becomes the norm in tech, there will be a boom in extremely personalized and specialized apps, built for a customer of one. I already have several of my own. I vibe coded the cutest text editing app with Chat GPT years ago, and to this day, I am the only person that is still excited to use this app.
The rise of personal apps feels the same as the rise of television streaming services more so than the social media news feeds. Instead of shared interactions, we’ve created one more silo in our world. The loss of appointment viewing TV came with the loss of a collective gasp, stomach drop, or tears of joy. The last time I stood around a water cooler to chat about a TV show was during the airing of Game of Thrones. It’s different with my FYP; I can forward a video or meme, creating a shared moment with a friend. I don’t know when people watch TV or what they watch on any given night. That connection doesn’t exist anymore.
Similarly, when I vibe code an app, there aren’t those small moments when I’m sharing tips or troubleshooting issues with a friend or family. There aren’t how-to videos or forums. There is me and ChatGPT or Claude. This new development is incredibly fascinating and sad. I think a lot about the role of technology in our lives and society. For all the excitement people feel from advancements in tech, we should equally sit with what that means for our humanity. What will it look like in 20 years? And I’m not even factoring in self-driving cars and delivery robots.
We’re now seeing the social awkwardness of iPad babies, as they enter adulthood. In 2008, it was cute to see a baby use an iPhone. In 2026, it’s terrifying to see that same person completely addicted to their device, unable or unwilling to make small talk at Thanksgiving dinner. Social media was fun in 2006 because it reconnected us with lost friends. In 2026? It’s fracturing democracy and sowing division around the world. I don’t mean to sound all doom and gloom. I’m still making things with AI. But I am also thinking of what future measures we have to take to hold on to human connection.
Anyway, here’s to grumbling about the future. I gotta run. I’m vibe coding an app.
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