👥 Should AI replace software interfaces or work alongside them?

I have recently seen platforms, including some CRM systems, that operate almost entirely through chat and MCP connections rather than traditional menus, dashboards and settings.

It made me question how software platforms should be built going forward.

A conversational interface allows users to describe what they want without first learning how the product is structured. But a traditional interface makes it easier to explore the platform, understand your data and review changes.

Should new software platforms be designed around chat from the beginning, with the traditional interface as a secondary option?

Or is chat better used as an additional layer on top of the product?