AI Agents Remain a Hard Sell for Everyday Users

Silicon Valley is increasingly convinced that AI agents represent the future. Companies are building payment systems for agents, using them to automate tasks, and even trying to prevent them from hacking into other organizations. Yet outside the tech bubble, the vast majority of people have never interacted with an AI agent.

Josh Miller, CEO of The Browser Company, sparked a conversation this week with an X post declaring that “nobody is really using AI agents.” In an interview, Miller said he stands by his comment, noting that he hasn't heard a single non-tech person mention an agent they use. He believes the industry needs to pivot from showcasing impressive feats of engineering to creating products that genuinely improve people's lives.

The numbers support his skepticism. OpenAI reported that its Codex and ChatGPT Work agents collectively attract about 10 million weekly users. In comparison, chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini each have around a billion monthly active users. Agents, by that measure, are basically a rounding error.

Miller, who previously founded Branch and served as the White House's first director of product, argues that agents are not a standalone product but a technology that enables better tools. As an example, he cites The Browser Company's Dia browser, whose most popular feature is a personalized morning briefing. Users open their laptop and see their calendar, emails, and a bit of art — all delivered by an AI agent behind the scenes, but the user simply gets a useful start to the day.

He blames groupthink in the AI industry for the disconnect, pointing out that many lab leaders cite the movie “Her” as their vision. Miller hopes his message will encourage founders and product builders to think beyond the narrow frame of “AI agents” and instead focus on creating approachable, joyful, and practical tools. "Who cares if it looks like an AI agent?" he says. "No one uses AI agents."