Ethereum Foundation Establishes dAI Team
In a significant move to position itself at the forefront of the emerging AI industry, the Ethereum Foundation has announced the establishment of a dedicated team focused on artificial intelligence. This initiative, known as the dAI team, exemplifies Ethereum’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence within its decentralized framework and enhancing software development in this realm.
Leadership and Goals
Led by core developer Davide Crapis, the dAI team aims to bridge the divide between blockchain and AI entities.
“Our goal is to connect blockchain organizations with those in the AI sector,”
said Crapis in an interview with Decrypt. Initially, the team will comprise three full-time members, with the Foundation currently on the lookout for additional talent to fill these roles.
Importance of AI for Ethereum
Crapis emphasized the importance of AI for the Foundation’s sustainability, noting,
“We are coming to understand that artificial intelligence will significantly impact human life and Ethereum’s utility going forward.”
He believes that AI will be integral to Ethereum’s ecosystem, drawing parallels between this shift and the previous rise of decentralized finance (DeFi).
Short-Term Initiatives
In the short term, the dAI team intends to advance critical proposals, such as ERC-8004, which seeks to establish standards for AI agents to locate, verify, and transact within the Ethereum network. This initiative aims to present Ethereum as the preferred settlement layer for the burgeoning AI agent economy. The finalized proposal is expected to be unveiled at Devconnect, an upcoming Ethereum developer conference set for November in Buenos Aires.
Long-Term Vision
Looking further ahead, Crapis articulated a vision for developing a decentralized AI infrastructure, emphasizing the desire to prevent control of AI from falling into the hands of a few dominant corporations. However, he clarified that Ethereum does not intend to compete directly with industry giants like OpenAI. Rather, he views the advent of AI as a continuation of Ethereum’s trajectory in DeFi, indicating that even traditionally centralized firms may eventually come to adopt decentralized solutions as they witness grassroots developments in the space.
Research Partnerships
As part of its ongoing efforts, the dAI team has initiated research partnerships with prominent companies in Silicon Valley, with announcements of these collaborations to be made in the near future. The Ethereum Foundation is clearly setting its sights on a future where AI plays a pivotal role within its decentralized ecosystem, reflecting a notable evolution in the foundation’s strategic approach.
