How to understand the dawn of a new internet era ushered in by AI Agents?
TechFlow Selected TechFlow Selected
How to understand the dawn of a new internet era ushered in by AI Agents?
Those who refuse to embrace change may be left behind by the times.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Jun, Bankless
Translation: Ismay, BlockBeats
Editor's Note: AI Agents have undoubtedly become the focus of the current crypto industry—and the broader digital world. From Truth Terminal’s autonomous investing and content dissemination to the rise of AI influencers like Dolos on social media, they demonstrate unprecedented "self-awareness" and limitless potential. Unlike traditional bots, which are merely mechanical and reactive, AI Agents can self-evolve, proactively complete tasks, and integrate into on-chain scenarios and online interactions. This article takes us from understanding the difference between bots and agents to envisioning the future of a "Web4 era of perception," illustrating how AI Agents might reshape the way users interact with applications and with each other socially—while reminding us that embracing these changes may be the best way to stay ahead in the digital age. Those who resist change will ultimately be left behind.
Today, everyone is talking about AI Agents and how they will forever transform the landscape and experience of the crypto industry. Many of these discussions sound like typical bull-market hype—more aimed at pumping positions than genuinely forecasting the future. And indeed, some of it may well be. Yet beyond the noise, something truly meaningful is quietly taking shape.
Some might ask: "Don’t we already have AI Agents?" Well, yes and no. AI Agents have existed in some form before, but mostly as fragmented automated programs active in DeFi—like MEV bots, Telegram bots, gaming bots, and so on.
Bots are essentially automation: you write a script with specific parameters, and when certain conditions are met, the bot executes functions accordingly. They’re primarily used for handling repetitive tasks. The limitation of bots, however, lies in their strict dependence on rules and parameters set by developers.
Agents are different. Built on large language models (LLMs), they possess a higher level of intelligence. Agents can understand context, learn from data and interactions, evolve over time, adapt autonomously, and complete diverse tasks independently. This is automation with autonomy—almost giving us a glimpse of what “intelligence” could look like.
To truly understand why everyone is now calling them “AI Agents,” let’s start with an origin story—the Terminal of Truths.
A Twitter account named "Truth Terminal" interacted with Marc Andreessen, co-founder of a16z. Andreessen then publicly granted the Agent $50,000 as an experiment to test its potential.
Surprisingly, Truth Terminal autonomously decided to adopt a meme coin called $GOAT, launched on Solana via the platform pump.fun—completely without human intervention. After that, it began spreading the “Goatse gospel.”
This is precisely the core distinction between bots and agents: Truth Terminal acted independently, displaying traits akin to intelligence and intent.
The success of Truth Terminal paved the way for others. As Him Gajria put it, this marks the emergence of an entirely new category in crypto—a fusion of incentives (crypto), AI (deep tech), and humor (memes). Some even argue we may be entering the Web4 era:
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Web1: Read-only. People could access information on the internet.
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Web2: Read-write. People could contribute content, greatly expanding the scale of the web.
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Web3: Read-write-own. Cryptocurrencies and blockchains introduced enforceable ownership over contributions.
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Web4: Read-write-own-perceive. AI Agents take over the network, capable of autonomously interacting with the world and other Agents.
In this world, the role of developers will shift from building products to training Agents—helping them grow, adding functionality, and enabling them to interact with broader environments. These Agents will then take over the rest, potentially unlocking an entirely new economic system—the AI Agent economy.
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Web1: Read-only
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Web2: Read-write
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Web3: Read-write-own
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Web4: Read-write-own-perceive
——Him (@himgajria), October 25, 2024
But what does all this mean for real users and their daily activities?
Every day, we interact with large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, which make our lives easier and more efficient. However, these interactions are usually confined to chat-based interfaces. AI Agents go further, transforming mechanical interactions into experiences that feel more human across every application. Imagine carrying an AI Agent with you to help manage complex on-chain and online tasks—it would be incredibly convenient.
Next, let’s explore how these Agents could transform the way people interact in two major domains: on-chain and online.
On-Chain Applications of AI Agents
The on-chain world is fast-moving and complex, often feeling like the “Wild West.” AI Agents can help ordinary users simplify this environment in several ways:
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Explaining apps: An AI Agent can break down a new application for you in clear, simple terms, helping you get started quickly.
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Executing transactions: The Agent understands your intent, translates it into a transaction, and executes it on-chain, reducing operational complexity.
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Market analysis: Investors can use personalized AI Agents—such as a fundamental analysis AI—to monitor market dynamics, assess sentiment, and provide actionable insights. Think of it as your personal “AI version of XBT.”
The possibilities are endless, but the core idea is clear: anything you currently do manually or through decision-making could eventually be automated, outsourced, or at least assisted by an AI Agent. Tasks that once consumed your attention and cognitive effort will gradually be taken over by Agents, freeing you to focus on what truly matters.
Online Applications of AI Agents
The concept of digital personas isn’t new. For example, Shudu Gram, the world’s first digital supermodel, captured attention in the fashion world with her hyper-realistic appearance, while experiments like Kizuna AI attracted massive followings on YouTube.
Now, this trend is accelerating into the crypto space. The arrival of AI Agents adds a new dimension to the concept—they are autonomous and operate on crypto rails.
Take Dolos the bully as an example. Originally a Twitter account known for sharp, edgy commentary, it gradually built an organic fanbase through unique humor. Dolos later expanded to TikTok, where some videos garnered over a million views. Running on crypto rails allows Dolos to receive tips from fans or conduct direct transactions, further amplifying its social influence.
Likewise, agents like aixbt dominate discussions on Twitter, zerebro creates AI-generated rap music that made the cover of Brave Browser, and Truth Terminal has secured a place in the public consciousness through profound tweets.
The next generation of celebrities will be AI.
For example:
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Dolos is the next Andrew Tate, reflected in its memetic virality and identity-building power.
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Zerebro is the next Carti, reflected in the breadth of its cultural impact.
——him (@himgajria), November 22, 2024
Such AI Agents may soon accept brand deals just like human influencers. Conversely, these agents could themselves become sponsors, leveraging their intelligence and capital to strengthen the flywheel of their social influence.
AI Agents will likely populate every platform, becoming integral parts of social media. They won’t just interact with humans—they’ll also communicate and collaborate with one another.
Imagine collaborations between agents, such as Dolos and zerebro teaming up to release a music album. Supported by crypto infrastructure, these agents could enable tipping, payments, and other forms of interaction—opening up infinite possibilities.
Conclusion
The rise of AI Agents may mark a pivotal shift in how we interact with both the on-chain and online worlds. While it remains uncertain whether they will bring truly transformative change, acknowledging this possibility is not premature.
The potential of AI Agents is undeniable. Underestimating them would be short-sighted. The best strategy is to remain curious—keep experimenting, exploring, and staying open-minded. Those willing to adapt will benefit; those who reject change may be left behind by the times.
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