Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, with the blockchain sector set to experience significant disruption. Recent market insights indicate that the convergence of AI and blockchain technology is projected to surpass $2.7 billion by 2031.
web3-platforms-show-interest-in-ai-agents">web3 Platforms Show Interest in AI Agents
While ongoing use cases are in progress, a growing number of web3 entities are integrating AI agents into their operations. According to Danny O’Brien, Senior Fellow at Filecoin Foundation, AI agents are self-governing software systems that leverage one or multiple AI models to execute specific tasks.
O’Brien elaborated that these agents possess tools and data access enabling activities like running a sandbox environment, database querying, or even smart contract execution. "web3 developers are crafting agents capable of handling intricate tasks and preparing the ground for collectives of agents specializing in multi-step task completions," O’Brien stated.
Ron Bodkin, CEO of Theoriq, an AI communication platform, highlighted the distinction between AI agents and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. He emphasized that AI agents are tailored to achieve certain objectives or fulfill specific functions by processing input data, analyzing it, and taking actions based on predefined rules or learned behavior.
"Theoriq's protocol provides agents with planning, routing, self-reflection, and iterative capabilities through collaborative teams known as 'Collectives,'" Bodkin remarked.
web3-platform">AI Agents Make It Easier To Access web3 Platform
O’Brien revealed that Filecoin Foundation, the organization behind the decentralized data storage network Filecoin, intends to employ AI agents. A recent partnership between Filecoin Foundation and Theoriq aims to develop AI Agents trained using data hosted on the Filecoin network.
According to O’Brien, these AI agents will leverage artificial intelligence to enhance data accessibility, usability, and consumption for various audiences while emphasizing transparent and verifiable sources. The demonstration of a Filecoin AI agent developed in collaboration with Theoriq showcased its capability to provide detailed answers through natural language queries, assisting users in learning about building on Filecoin and troubleshooting common issues.
Given the complexity surrounding web3 platform development and access, tools like AI agents play a crucial role in simplifying these processes.
Aanchal Malhotra, Head of RippleX Research, revealed that Ripple is also utilizing AI agents, specifically AI chatbots, to streamline blockchain development on the XRP Ledger. By offering rapid responses to developer queries, these chatbots help accelerate the transition from concept to application.
Furthermore, Rootstock's developer portal now provides AI coding support for the layer-2 network.
world-use-cases">Using AI Agents For Real-world Use Cases
AI agents are increasingly being deployed to address real-world challenges. Filecoin Foundation and Theoriq are collaborating to develop agents capable of interacting naturally with public datasets, facilitating efficient search and verification processes for researchers and policymakers.
One notable initiative involves the development of a CIA AI agent by Filecoin Foundation and Theoriq, enabling swift verification and search of declassified documents, thus leveraging two and a half decades of decoupled CIA datasets accessible through Filecoin.
This development underscores the AI agent's ability to quickly address inquiries and provide natural language responses, reducing manual effort associated with document parsing.
Challenges with AI Agents
Despite the advancements in AI agents within web3, challenges persist. O’Brien highlighted the dominance of a few tech giants in data gathering, storage, and provision, leading to centralized control and potential vulnerabilities.
O’Brien emphasized the importance of transparency, decentralization, and openness in AI development to counteract these trends. Malhotra noted the challenge of fairly compensating data providers and incentivizing ethical content creation for AI development within decentralized platforms.
To address these issues, approaches such as tokenizing AI training models as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and employing techniques like federated learning, zero-knowledge proofs, and homomorphic encryption are being explored.
The "black-box problem," where the inner workings of AI systems remain opaque, presents another hurdle to overcome for seamless AI integration within web3 platforms.
web3-companies-will-continue-incorporating-ai-agents">web3 Companies Will Continue Incorporating AI Agents
Despite these challenges, O’Brien foresees continued integration of AI agents within web3 platforms, harnessing their capabilities to amplify the impact of AI technologies for specific purposes. The potential applications of AI to enhance the functionality of platforms like the XRP Ledger highlight the ongoing innovation in this space.
As AI technology matures and evolves, it is expected to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of web3 platforms and blockchain ecosystems.
