Exploring the evolution of traditional UIs to conversation-driven digital experiences

It’s the end of the month. As you walk into your favorite coffee shop, your phone buzzes. A familiar voice, modeled after your chosen tone and persona, addresses you by name and speaks through your earbuds.

“Your rent is due tomorrow, but I noticed your checking account is low. May I suggest moving some money over from your savings? I can then send the amount due to your landlord.”

You respond with a quiet “Yes, please go ahead with that,” and it’s done. No app. No login. No clicking through menus. This simple example illustrates the kind of experience Gen Z and Gen Alpha already expect, one that feels more like a conversation than a transaction.

Why zero UI matters now

From banking to retail, automotive, travel, and insurance, zero UI – referring to the absence of traditional user interfaces – is poised to revolutionize how people use smartphones and other digital devices. In place of an app or a website is an interactive AI assistant that both responds to your requests and already knows what to offer you based on what you might need next.

Spurred by major advances in AI technology, the user experience will soon be app-less, screen-less, and frictionless. Tom Eggemeier, Zendesk CEO, says “we’re advancing toward a world where 100 percent of customer interactions will involve AI in some form.”[1]

This shift toward zero UI and AI-infused devices is not a distant vision. One striking example is how Meta’s AI-powered glasses use no visual interface at all. Now you can take high-quality photos and videos, send messages, and even get AI insights on anything in your line of sight using just your voice. Imagine the possibilities when this technology is connected to daily habits, including commerce.

People increasingly value the speed of digital interactions. For example, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of customers now prefer digital channels.[2] As this figure climbs even higher, so will customers’ expectations when it comes to their convenience. They may question whether they still need traditional apps and websites to complete tasks if better options exist. 

There’s a growing popularity for online interactions to feel as natural as speaking or gesturing to a friend. Since digital natives already use voice commands to query their favorite large language models, they’ll keenly embrace personal AI assistants that can do more than just answer zero-shot queries.

Although we have grown accustomed to navigating digital spaces through screens and clicks, the times are changing and challenging the status quo of visual interactions. To stay competitive, organizations must design for continuous conversational experiences.

Transforming every industry, one conversation at a time

In financial services, this transformation is already underway. Analysts predict that by 2026, 40 percent of banking interactions will be completed with voice and other zero UI technologies.[3] No-click, no-tap commands will speed up banking, making the experience feel like you’re actually talking to a rep – minus the wait times of a brick-and-mortar branch.

In the retail sector, voice UIs will know a customer’s regular shopping list, their favorite brands, and where they like to shop. In healthcare, touchless interactions will improve clinical hygiene and safety. And in automotive, drivers will be able to interact with their in-car infotainment systems without taking their eyes off the road.

These invisible interfaces don’t necessarily have to stay within the confines of a specific industry. There’s no reason why data can’t be shared across interfaces and platforms of all kinds. Your AI assistant will know things like when your bills are due, the time of your scheduled dental appointment, and even the kind of music you listen to when driving there.

Zero UI’s appeal extends beyond simple novelty; it’s more about the efficiency, trust, and emotional connection users gain because of it. When a digital assistant knows you enough to understand what you need, and might want, it creates a bond that traditional interfaces simply can’t replicate.

Common questions about Zero UI – Answered

Despite its promise, zero UI faces skepticism:

“Is it secure?”
Yes, and in many cases, even more secure than traditional interfaces. The removal of login screens or visual confirmations doesn’t mean breached security. Zero UI takes advantage of biometric authentication, continuous validation, and context-aware security protocols. When your voice, face, or behavior becomes your password, the risk of fraud and unauthorized access is extremely low.

“Is it accessible to everyone?”
Zero UI doesn’t suddenly mean interfaces and apps disappear; it just shifts interactions from screens to voice, gestures, and facial recognition. Although you can still interact via a screen or keyboard when needed, keep in mind that people with visual or motor impairments will welcome the more intuitive method of interaction.

“Is it expensive to implement?”
Yes and no. While the initial investment in agentic AI and orchestration may be high, the long-term benefits, such as lower operational costs, higher conversion rates, and better customer satisfaction, which all point to higher business growth, are quite compelling.

“Will users adopt it?”
Adoption is a journey, which starts with trust. The key is to begin with informational journeys that feel helpful and nonintrusive. As users grow more comfortable, you gradually introduce transactional and orchestrated flows to prove the intuitiveness of zero UI.

Four steps to invisible but indispensable UI

Since zero UI is a mindset shift, it’s wise to take small steps and gradually scale up projects. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Track informational journeys. Use AI to surface helpful insights before the user asks, like reminders, recommendations, or alerts based on context, patterns, and behavior.
  • Introduce transactional, orchestrated flows. Once trust is built, expand these flows into actions, whether they’re payments, bookings, service updates, or any other tasks requiring multiple interactions.
  • Rethink the API architecture. Agentic AI needs flexible setups that respond to events, helping different channels and services work together smoothly. Rather than using fixed points of connection, aim for systems that can adjust to user needs and intentions in real time.
  • Design for trust. ZeroUI must feel intuitive and error-free, with clear confirmations, transparent logic, and the ability for users to override or opt out at any time.

The goal isn’t to eliminate interfaces; it’s to make them invisible when they’re unneeded, and invaluable when they are. In essence, great design hides complexity and only reveals itself in moments of true need.

The time to act is now

Zero UI is no longer a distant vision. As digital natives influence new expectations and AI capabilities improve, the gap between traditional interfaces and conversational experiences will only widen.

Want to know how to turn your interfaces into hands-free interactions? Contact us and let’s delight the new generation of digital users.

[1] https://www.zendesk.com/blog/ai-customer-service-statistics
[2] https://www.verint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/State-of-Customer-Experience-2025-Report.pdf 
[3] https://www.forrester.com/report/the-state-of-digital-banking-2023/RES179031