User interfaces have drastically evolved over time, moving from the command line accessible only to technical users to the graphical user interface that democratized computing for everyone. But what’s next?

The best innovations mimic nature, so it seems evident that the future of computing and, by proxy, of work will be entirely conversational. That shift from GUI to natural‑language UI began with support chatbots on websites. The next step is the rise of action bars fixed to the bottom center of every app, paired with an embedded collaborative workspace in the bottom‑right corner. Collaborate (left), Act (middle), Ask (right).

Support chatbots eliminate the need to call for help or comb through forums. Action bars remove the need to context‑switch between the 93 tools the average business uses. At the same time, embedded work environments turn any SaaS product into a true collaboration hub. The action bar is the most transformative piece of this trifecta, yet it comes with challenges.

Sending commands to an app via an LLM is feasible with model‑control protocols, but orchestrating tens or hundreds of tools is trickier. The most challenging hurdle isn’t routing requests; it’s delivering visual feedback that lets users trust the action happened. The benefit vanishes if people feel compelled to double‑check that an email was sent. Generative UI must eliminate that reflex.

Eventually, this “future‑of‑work” trifecta will make bespoke UI/UX optional. Plug in your APIs, provide brand guidelines, and you’re set. In the future, all work will happen through natural language. OpenSesame is building the first AI Coworker for SaaS companies.

We see the jump from GUI to NLUI as one of the most significant opportunities unlocked by the democratization of large language models. A successful action bar will spark a productivity boost on par with the GUI's arrival and lay the groundwork for mainstream agentic coworkers.

The best innovations mirror nature; nothing is more natural than speaking your own words.

- A & J