The current paradigm is driven by two factors: one is the reliability of the models and that constraints how much autonomy you can give to an agent. Second is about chat as a medium which everyone went to because ChatGPT became a thing.
I see the value in HUDs, but only when you can be sure output is correct. If that number is only 80% or so, copilots work better so that humans in the loop can review and course correct - the pair programmer/worker. This is not to say we need ai to get to higher levels of correctness inherently, just that systems deployed need to do so before they display some information on HUD.
This is missing the addictive/engaging part of a conversational interface for most people out there. Which is in line with the critics highlighted in the fine article.
Just because most people are fond of it doesn't actually mean it improves their life, goals and productivity.