Replit CEO: The rise of AI leads to the end of the SaaS era, and the "next generation Satoshi Nakamoto" is about to emerge.

A revolution regarding the future of software development is quietly unfolding, and Replit CEO Amjad Masad may be the first tech leader to publicly declare the impending end of the SaaS era. In a recent talk at Y Combinator, he depicted a future where AI agents will fundamentally disrupt the economics of software development and revealed Replit's little-known grand strategy: to create a perfect AI "habitat" that enables everyone to potentially become the next "Satoshi Nakamoto." This bold vision not only challenges our traditional perceptions of software development but may also redefine the future of the entire tech industry.

From Mainframes to AI Agents: The Last Mile of Software Development

"Back then, we transitioned from large mainframes that only a few experts could use to an era where personal computers were available to everyone. Now, software development must complete this final mile." Masad opened his speech at Y Combinator with this historical analogy, suggesting that we are at a historical turning point as significant as the personal computer revolution.

In his vision, AI agents will play the role of "personal computers," radically democratizing the software development process. This is not just an evolution of tools but a fundamental shift in the entire development paradigm. Just as personal computers enabled ordinary people to access computing power that was previously only available to large institutions, AI agents will allow anyone to create software that only professional development teams could achieve in the past.

The Doomsday Prophecy of SaaS: Development Costs Approaching Zero

Masad's most shocking prophecy is: "The development cost of all SaaS applications will soon drop to zero." This is not an exaggerated rhetoric, but an inference based on actual data. He cited academic evaluations such as SWE-Bench, showing that AI's ability to solve real-world programming problems is growing exponentially.

"We must get used to creating some products that may seem terrible today, because in two months, when the underlying model is upgraded, your product might suddenly become amazing." This statement reveals the rapid pace of current AI development, to the point that even industry insiders find it difficult to predict its short-term progress.

The drastic reduction in development costs will have a disruptive impact on the entire SaaS industry. When anyone can create a customized application within days, the subscription model and value proposition of traditional SaaS companies will face unprecedented challenges.

Digital Jurassic Park: The True Ambition of Replit

Replit's true ambition goes far beyond providing an "online programming tool." Masad reveals that they are actually building a "digital Jurassic Park" — a perfect ecosystem designed specifically for AI agents.

"The AI model for programming itself is the simple part; the difficulty lies in its surrounding habitat." This statement reveals the core of Replit's strategy. In an environment where tech giants are competing to develop more powerful AI models, Replit has chosen a different path: focusing on creating an environment that allows these AI models to fully realize their potential.

This "habitat" includes several key elements:

Secure Cloud Sandbox: Allowing AI to run code safely.

One-click authentication: Simplifying the authentication process between users and systems.

Integrated Database System: Provides data storage and management capabilities

Automated Deployment Mechanism: Allows applications created by AI to go online easily.

Smart Key Management: Handling sensitive security credentials

Masad even painted a bolder vision: "Imagine your AI agent having its own credit card, able to register for Twilio's services to send text messages on its own, and even hire a human online to help it solve verification codes when needed." This describes not just a tool, but a new species with autonomous capabilities.

Satoshi Nakamoto Mass Production Plan: Everyone Can Create Trillion-Level Economies

The climax of the speech was when Masad referenced the 1980s work "Sovereign Individual" and linked it to Bitcoin's founder Satoshi Nakamoto. "A mysterious person, with just a paper and a piece of code, created a trillion-dollar economy. This phenomenon of one person becoming an economy will become increasingly common in the future."

This perspective reveals Replit's ultimate vision: to make it possible for everyone to become the next "Satoshi" — an individual capable of creating immense value through creativity and technology. In this vision, creativity and ideas will become the most valuable assets, while the barriers to technological realization will be significantly lowered.

Masad gave a vivid example: an HR person at Replit, who had no understanding of programming, was able to create a fully functional organizational chart software using an AI agent in just three days. This software can even interface with the company's internal systems. If developed or purchased through traditional methods, such a solution could cost tens of thousands of dollars and take months to complete.

From Class Pyramid to Open Source Projects: A Complete Disruption of Work Methods

The rise of AI agents will not only change software development but will also fundamentally disrupt the way we work. Masad predicts that future company organizational structures will be "more like an open-source project rather than a traditional hierarchical pyramid."

In this new type of organization, job titles and hierarchies will become less important, and everyone's core mission will be to "make the company successful." Seeking assistance will also become extremely easy, "just like calling Uber today, you press a button on your phone, and a developer (whether a person or AI) will come."

This change in work style will bring unprecedented flexibility and efficiency, but it will also challenge our traditional perceptions of professional identity and value.

Winners and Light Homes in the Era of AI Agents

With the arrival of the era of AI agents, the entire technology ecosystem will face a reshuffle. In this transformation, who will become the winner, and who will be eliminated?

· Potential Winner

Creative Thinkers: Those who can pose unique questions and solutions will gain unprecedented value.

AI Habitat Builders: Companies like Replit that focus on creating AI-friendly environments.

Highly adaptable small teams: Agile organizations that can quickly leverage AI agents to create value.

Domain Experts: Individuals and teams that can combine professional knowledge with AI capabilities.

· Potential Losers

Traditional SaaS Providers: Especially those companies that offer standardized, easily replicable features.

Middle-tier developers: Developers engaged in repetitive coding work may face the risk of being replaced.

Large enterprises relying on old business models: Organizations that cannot adapt to new paradigms.

Companies with Technical Barriers as Competitive Advantages: This advantage will disappear when the technology becomes easy to implement.

Conclusion: Survival Rules of the Digital Jurassic Era

Replit is not just building a tool, but an entrance to a new era. As Masad hinted, we are standing at the gates of Jurassic Park, where a brand new, incredibly powerful species is about to burst into our world.

In this new era, the key to success will no longer be mastering specific technical skills, but rather being able to ask the right questions, conceive innovative solutions, and effectively guide AI agents to realize these visions. Creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary knowledge will become the most valuable assets.

For individuals, businesses, and entire industries, the key question is no longer "Will AI replace me?" but rather "How can I collaborate with AI to create unprecedented value?" In this major reshuffle, everyone needs to rethink their positioning: Are you the hunter or the prey?

As the capabilities of AI agents continue to improve, we may be witnessing the dawn of a new era—an era where anyone with an idea can become a creator. Replit's ambition is to build the infrastructure for this era, so that the next world-changing "Satoshi Nakamoto" is no longer an accidental genius, but a norm that can be cultivated on a large scale.