What Even Is an OS Now?

The impact of AI on computing has yet to be fully understood, despite being a major topic for over a year. The author reflects on their early experiences with computers, starting with a VTech Laser 200 clone that ran BASIC programs on cassette tapes. By their teenage years, the author found programming to be overly complicated and complex, especially for simple tasks.

However, with the rise of AI, the boundaries between backend and frontend programming, as well as web and native applications, have become blurred. The author's Mac menu bar now features icons for apps they created themselves, emphasizing the democratization of programming.

The author argues that AI is changing the relationship between programmers and users, with many applications now serving just one or two users. This shift raises questions about software distribution, ownership, and the future of operating systems. The idea of prefabricated, fixed-function applications is expected to give way to user-generated programs tailored to specific needs. Instead of relying on expert strangers, users may increasingly create their own solutions using building blocks provided by strangers.

The author suggests that modern operating systems were designed to partition applications and control communication between them, a necessity in a world where software is supplied by strangers. However, as applications become more customizable and interconnected, the role of traditional operating systems becomes less relevant. The author envisions a new platform that adapts to this changing landscape, challenging the idea of traditional devices designed for deterministic, fixed-function applications.