Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm a16z has highlighted the potential for blockchains to shift artificial intelligence towards user ownership and open standards, as stated in a June 11 report.
The report proposes that core context and “agent passports” should be stored in self-custodial wallets, allowing large-language-model interfaces to instantly access preferences without the need for repeated training.
An identity layer based on blockchain technology could enable agents to carry verifiable records of owners, capabilities, and payment details across various platforms such as email and Slack. Additionally, systems like World Chain’s World ID could help differentiate bots from generative models.
Computational and payment infrastructure
The report advocates for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) that utilize idle GPUs and energy from gaming PCs and spare data center capacity, creating permissionless marketplaces and reducing reliance on a few cloud providers.
On-chain “synchrony layers” would ensure that AI-generated code bases remain aligned. Developers would implement shared standards through tokenized protocols, earning rewards for addressing vulnerabilities, and enabling automatic updates for connected applications.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes the significance of micropayments, envisioning nano-transactions on low-fee chains that distribute revenue among data sources and AI, improving recommendation systems while compensating contributors.
The same infrastructure could facilitate access for web crawlers, with bots making token deposits and paying metered fees to website “bouncer” contracts, while verified human users browse without charge.
Immutable ledgers could track the origins of data used to train AI models and ensure fair compensation for publishers.
Intellectual property and user interaction
To address intellectual property concerns, the report suggests the use of public on-chain registries to embed ownership metadata directly into creative assets.
Smart contract licensing could enable brands to manage usage rights programmatically, transforming potential copyright issues into transparent royalty payments.
Moreover, advertising strategies could leverage wallet-based zero-knowledge proofs, offering users small payments for their attention while maintaining relevance in promotions.
Looking ahead, the report recommends that AI tutors, health aides, and companionship bots operate under user-controlled keys rather than centralized systems. Censorship-resistant blockchains and account-abstraction wallets can simplify the management of security keys and enable long-term relationships with on-chain memories.
The report concludes that the integration of blockchains and machine learning can uphold an open internet by embedding incentives, provenance, and governance directly into the protocol layer.