Vanessa Larco, a partner at Premise and former partner at NEA, believes 2026 will mark the true turning point for consumer AI. With years of experience investing in consumer and prosumer products, Larco sees a fundamental shift emerging in how people spend their time online—driven by AI-powered, concierge-style services that anticipate needs and deliver personalized experiences. She envisions a future where AI doesn’t just answer questions, but actively helps users make decisions, manage tasks, and discover new things. But as AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s AI tools grow more capable, a key question arises: what happens to existing consumer apps? Will legacy platforms like WebMD, TripAdvisor, and Yelp be replaced, or will they evolve by integrating AI features? Larco argues that while some apps may be absorbed into broader AI assistants, others will survive—and even thrive—by focusing on niche, high-trust use cases where deep domain expertise and reliability matter. She believes OpenAI, despite its ambitions, won’t want to kill certain types of consumer products because they offer unique data, user loyalty, and revenue models that are hard to replicate. Specifically, Larco points to verticals like health information, travel planning, and personal finance as areas where standalone apps may persist. These domains require accuracy, regulatory compliance, and long-term user trust—qualities that AI assistants still struggle to consistently deliver at scale. In these spaces, specialized platforms can coexist with AI by serving as trusted data sources or premium service layers. For startups, the real opportunity lies not in building another chatbot, but in solving specific, high-friction problems with AI at the core. Think AI-powered personal health coaches, travel planners that learn from real user behavior, or financial tools that combine AI insights with human oversight. Larco emphasizes that the next wave of consumer AI won’t be about replacing apps—it will be about enhancing them. The most successful ventures will be those that understand the limits of AI, respect user trust, and deliver real value in ways that feel seamless, not intrusive. On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, host Rebecca Bellan explored these ideas in depth, discussing how consumer AI is finally coming into its own and where the next generation of startups can find their foothold. The full episode is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Follow Equity on X and Threads at @EquityPod for updates and insights.