'They're not done': Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison says AI can finally help us 'finish' building apps, dismissing SaaSpocalypse fears

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison dismissed concerns that artificial intelligence would render traditional software and SaaS businesses obsolete, stating that AI will actually enhance the capabilities of enterprise applications. During his keynote at Oracle's annual AI World conference, Ellison addressed fears that businesses could use AI to build their own software, citing examples like AI-generated apps like Adobe's Creative Cloud.

Ellison argued that while AI will allow companies to create more comprehensive and tailored applications for industries and sectors, it won't make existing software redundant. He explained that current enterprise applications are only partially effective, automating only a portion of business processes, and that AI can enable developers to create fully functional applications capable of handling entire business operations.

Oracle is currently focusing on healthcare, a notoriously complex and highly regulated industry, with Ellison discussing the challenges of navigating geographical variations. Ellison believes AI could change how workers interact with applications, replacing complicated interfaces with natural language processing and eliminating the need for user training.

While he remains confident in the future of commercial software, he acknowledged that the value of software products may shift towards data, logic, and processes rather than polished interfaces. Oracle's stock rose in the days following AI World, but remains down from its late 2025 high.