You know that cringe you felt when someone tried to pitch NFTs to your grandma. We do know that it likely concluded with her asking, whether in jest or not, whether she could print it out and hang it on the fridge. Well, that’s sort of the issue we’re all in the space realizing at this point in blockchain. We're so busy trying to explain what a JPEG with bragging rights is, that we're losing out on the real talent – the AI wizards who could actually make this technology sing.
Memes Over Machine Learning Seriously?
Let's be real. When you hear the word “blockchain,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it groundbreaking decentralized finance? Or a Bored Ape just sold for more than your home. I'm betting it's the ape. And that’s not a bad thing in and of itself, NFTs introduced millions of new people to the space. It would be difficult to convince the most talented AI engineer of that. They have an enormous responsibility to shape and create the future, but here we are telling them to work on JPEGs instead.
Honestly, the new stigma associated with blockchain — particularly NFTs — on the cultural side of things is making it really hard to bring in that top-tier AI talent. They see the hype, the speculation, the rug pulls, and they think, "Yeah, I'll stick with building self-driving cars, thanks." Can you blame them? Developing a sophisticated AI model — while daunting and exciting — is only the beginning. It’s sure as hell better than having to justify why a pixelated rock is worth more than gold.
VC Dollars Speak Louder Than HODL
Here's a hard truth: money talks. And at the moment, it’s shouting AI’s praises from the rooftops. While venture capitalists are tossing billions at new AI startups, blockchain companies are receiving… a quiet golf clap. We’re currently looking at AI funding of well over $100 billion compared to a paltry $5.4 billion for blockchain in 2024! No wonder there's a hiring gap.
It’s not that blockchain doesn’t deserve a penny of investment. It’s not that AI is the shiny new toy, the one that everybody wants to play with. The blockchain industry only has about 300,000 jobs worldwide compared to AI/ML which can already claim 1.5 million. We shouldn’t give up on apes entirely—though perhaps we can just settle for saving fewer of them. Instead, we could work to emphasize the serious, meaningful applications of blockchain to draw in the sort of talented people who can help implement those ideas. Let’s take a step back and remind the world that blockchain is, by no means, just about getting rich quick—it’s about creating a better tomorrow.
AI + NFTs: The Next Big Thing?
Alright, here is where it gets super cool. Imagine how our approach to AI and NFTs would change if we started treating them as related technological advancements. They might be the two sides of the same very futuristic coin! Here’s why AI requires blockchain (and why blockchain requires AI) more than you realize.
Think about it: AI is probabilistic. Imperfect. It makes mistakes. Blockchain is all about certainty. Immutability. Security. It is an ideal corollary to ensure that AI remains truthful and accountable, particularly where sensitive and personal data is concerned. We do want blockchain’s security and certainty—especially when it comes to securing sensitive data.
Now picture AI-powered NFTs that could actually evolve and dynamically change in response to real-world events. Or AI agents that independently perform cryptocurrency transactions on their behalf, resulting in a completely decentralized currency-driven economy. The possibilities are mind-blowing! And that’s the story we’ll need to sell to the AI talent. Forget the pixelated rocks; think about this.
Together, we can create those one million jobs by 2030 if blockchain is able to develop and scale at least at the pace at which AI has.
From JPEG Dreams to Real-World Impact
The NFT community needs to evolve. We can no longer afford to think in the "number go up" way and we must re-embrace actually building value and something real. Engage a rich mix of creative minds and angles. That’s everyone from the AI wizards who might still be rolling their eyes at our chaotic world on any given day today.
Here's the call to action: Let's ditch the gatekeeping, embrace innovation, and build a blockchain future that's not just profitable, but meaningful. Let’s show the world that blockchain is so much more than digital tchotchkes. It’s going to completely change the world, art, entertainment, finance, and healthcare!
Let’s be real, it’s time to make blockchain sexy again. And by “sexy” I mean academically rigorous, creatively innovative, and genuinely practical. Only then will we begin to foster this AI talent we need to help us transform our JPEG dreams into a real-world revolution. In all honesty though, let’s say what it really is. Because no one wants to be that generation that squandered the potential of blockchain on overhyped feline photography.
