The Day AI Model Companies Swallow the Tool Industry
Domination Spreads from Search to Image, Video, and Music
The evolution of AI is no longer just about “convenient tools getting better.”
What’s happening now is a structural transformation where AI model companies are absorbing the tools themselves.
Search engines, image editing software, video production tools, music generation services—tools that once stood independently are now being integrated as internal functions of foundation models.
In other words, we’re transitioning from “the era of using AI-powered tools” to “the era of AI that encompasses tools.”
The “Absorption Chain” That Started with Text
The first change was text generation, exemplified by ChatGPT.
Email drafts, articles, program code—tasks that people once performed with dedicated tools were now being handled directly by AI.
However, AI’s encroachment didn’t stop there.
Foundation model companies are pulling “peripheral tools” into their own ecosystems, expanding their dominance across broader domains.
Search Engines: Answers Come Before You Click Any Links
Significant changes are occurring in the world of search as well.
Google has introduced “AI Overviews” and “AI Mode,” displaying AI-generated answers at the top of search results.
Users no longer need to follow multiple links—the AI’s compiled answer completes the task right there.
In other words, the very act of searching has been absorbed by AI.
Search engines are no longer independent services but are becoming a function within AI models.
Image and Video Production: A New Creative Process That Doesn’t Even Need Source Materials
The same phenomenon is advancing in image and video production.
Traditionally, creators gathered materials and used editing tools to craft their works.
But now, you don’t even need to prepare source materials.
Simply give text instructions, and AI will generate images, videos, and even voice and music.
Just a short while ago, we were amazed that “AI can create images,” but now we’ve already reached a level where video, voice, and music can be generated simultaneously.
The Forefront of Video Generation: Sora 2 and Veo 3.1
In the video domain, OpenAI’s Sora 2 and Google’s Veo 3 / Veo 3.1 are emblematic.
Sora 2 can reproduce camera work, physical movement, and dialogue synchronization, generating complete footage from text.
Veo 3.1 also provides richer audio, enhanced realism, and superior narrative control, enabling professional video production.
The video production tool industry itself is being absorbed into AI model companies’ service layers.
Music Generation: Foundation Models Now Eyeing Markets Built by Specialized Services
In music, specialized services like Suno and Udio have been leading the way.
These tools automated everything from lyrics generation to vocal reproduction, arrangement, and mastering, building their own ecosystems.
However, foundation model companies are now considering entering this successful domain.
According to reports, OpenAI is developing a music generation tool that creates music from text and audio prompts.
Various applications are envisioned, such as adding music to videos or adding guitar accompaniment to vocal tracks.
The possibility that markets pioneered by AI tools will be successively incorporated as features of foundation models—that flow is beginning to emerge.
What Will Happen Next: Tools Disappear, Only AI Remains
AI model companies are no longer just “behind-the-scenes technology providers.”
Search, images, video, music—they’re redesigning every tool domain as their own features, seizing control of user experience.
This isn’t competition between tools; it’s a process where AI models are restructuring entire industry frameworks.
Eventually, the very concept of “using tools” will become outdated, and AI itself will function as the new working environment.
Competition Among AI Model Companies Will Also Intensify
This trend isn’t limited to famous companies like OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude.
With the evolution of open-source models and GPU performance improvements, competition will only get fiercer.
Tools won’t be apps—they’ll be absorbed into AI.
And that flow has already reached a point of no return.