Is AI really the new UI, or is that just another tech buzzphrase? Or ... is AI actually EVERY user interface now?

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier sits down with Mark Vange, CEO & founder of Automate.ly and former CTO at Electronic Arts, to unpack what happens when interfaces stop being fixed and start being generated on the fly.

They explore:

• Why generative AI makes it cheaper to create custom interfaces per user

• How conversational, auditory, and adaptive experiences redefine “UI”

• When consistency still matters (cars, safety systems, frontline work)

• Why AI doesn’t replace workers — but radically reshapes workflows

• Whether browsers should become AI-native or stay neutral canvases

• The unresolved risks around AI agents, payments, and control

From hospitals using AI to speak Haitian Creole, to compliance forms that drop from hours to minutes, this conversation shows how every experience can become intelligent, contextual, and helpful.

👉 If you care about product design, AI, UX, or the future of software, this episode is for you.

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👤 Guest

Mark Vange

CEO & Founder, Automate.ly

Former CTO, Electronic Arts

Investor, serial entrepreneur, and builder focused on intent-driven, AI-native software

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⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Is AI the New UI?

Why generative interfaces are reigniting the UI conversation

02:10 – The Hidden Cost of Traditional Interfaces

Why one-size-fits-all software limits users

04:20 – When UIs Are Generated on Demand

Adaptive experiences vs fixed screens and buttons

06:15 – Conversational & Multimodal Interfaces

Why voice, audio, and language are all “UI”

08:30 – When Consistency Still Matters

Safety, muscle memory, and shared interface conventions

10:45 – How Generative UIs Change Work

AI as a collaborator, not a replacement

13:05 – Making Every Page an Application

Why “dumb forms” and static sites are disappearing

15:10 – The Browser as the Ultimate Interface

Neutral canvases vs AI-controlled environments

17:10 – AI Agents, Payments, and Control

Why money is the hardest unsolved AI problem

19:25 – The Future of Multimodal UI

Why UI goes far beyond pixels and screensIs AI really the new UI — or is that just another tech buzzphrase?