These Android alum are launching an operating system just for AI agents

The rapidly evolving AI landscape is witnessing a new development as former Android executives launch a startup aimed at creating an operating system specifically designed for AI agents.

The core mission: /dev/agents, a new startup led by former Android leaders, aims to develop a cloud-based operating system that will make AI agents more accessible and easier to build.

• Former Google Android VP David Singleton leads the company as CEO, bringing his extensive experience in operating system development
• The platform will focus on enabling “trusted agents” to work with users across multiple devices
• The system promises to introduce new UI patterns, enhanced privacy models, and simplified developer tools for building AI agents

Market context: Major tech companies are racing to develop AI agents that can function as autonomous digital assistants capable of performing tasks with minimal human intervention.

• Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are all preparing to launch their own versions of AI agents in the coming months
• The current development landscape for AI agents presents significant challenges for developers trying to create effective solutions
• The industry lacks standardized tools and platforms for building AI agents, similar to what Android provided for mobile app development

Leadership expertise: The founding team brings together veterans from Google’s Android project and other major tech initiatives.

• Hugo Barra, former Android VP of product management, joins as chief product officer
• Ficus Kirkpatrick, an early Android engineer and former Meta VP of AR and VR, serves as CTO
• Nicholas Jitkoff, who worked on ChromeOS design, takes the role of chief design officer

Vision and approach: The company seeks to create a standardized foundation for AI agent development, similar to how Android standardized mobile app development.

• The platform will prioritize trusted interaction between AI agents and users
• Development will focus on creating intuitive user interface patterns
• Privacy considerations will be built into the core of the operating system
• The goal is to significantly reduce the complexity of building useful AI agents

Looking ahead: Platform potential: The success of /dev/agents could mirror Android’s impact on mobile computing, potentially establishing a new standard for AI agent development and deployment across the technology industry. However, the challenge lies in creating a platform that can effectively balance accessibility, functionality, and security while competing with established tech giants’ own AI agent initiatives.