A startup founded by former Google executives has set its sights on developing an operating system (OS) specifically designed for AI agents, marking a significant shift in the way humans interact with computers. The venture, dubbed /dev/agents, has secured $56 million in seed funding from CapitalG, Alphabet's independent growth fund, and is poised to revolutionize the computing landscape.

Industry analyst Brian Jackson, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group, notes that an OS built for AI agents would be fundamentally different from existing operating systems. "Today's OSes were built for a software architecture that is file-based and designed to be used with a computer and a mouse," Jackson explained. "An OS that is built around AI could look at defining computing as data-based, with intelligent models that continuously learn and adapt based on new data."

The /dev/agents team, led by CEO David Singleton, a former Google vice president of engineering, aims to create an OS that enables computers to work with humans in a more collaborative and intuitive manner. Singleton envisions a future where "modern AI will fundamentally change how people use software in their daily lives. Agentic applications could, for the first time, enable computers to work with people in much the same way people work with people."

To achieve this vision, the startup is building a team to work closely with users and developers across the full technology stack, from tuning models to the user interface layer. This approach will enable the company to solve novel system and user experience problems created by AI, according to a posting on the CapitalG website.

Industry experts agree that AI agents are the next wave of innovation in the tech industry. Gartner analyst Tom Coshow predicts that by 2028, 33% of enterprise software applications will include agentic AI, up from less than 1% in 2024, enabling 15% of day-to-day work decisions to be made autonomously. Deloitte analysts forecast that a quarter of companies using generative AI will launch agentic AI pilots or proofs of concept in 2025, growing to half of genAI users by 2027.

Jackson believes that /dev/agents has the potential to fundamentally change our relationship with computers. "The UI could be based on less abstracted modes of interaction like natural language, gestures, or even eye movements. And AI agents would be like the next generation of applications built on top of the OS, where developers could use tooling to combine those AI elements in new ways to solve problems."

The development of an OS for AI agents is a significant step forward in the evolution of human-computer interaction. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely to have a profound impact on various industries and aspects of our lives. With /dev/agents at the forefront of this innovation, the possibilities for transforming the way we interact with computers are vast and exciting.

While details on the development of the OS are still scarce, the /dev/agents website is expected to provide more information in the coming months. As the startup continues to build its team and work towards its vision, the tech industry will be watching with bated breath to see how this revolutionary concept takes shape.