Web3 wasn’t originally designed with large numbers of human users in mind; it was created for machines. Its complexity has limited broad adoption, but as AI agents emerge as autonomous economic actors, the landscape is shifting dramatically.
Understanding Web3 and AI Interaction
Web3 consists of smart contracts, decentralized networks, and verifiable computations that are now being enhanced for AI-driven actions and automation. The critical question is how swiftly we need to adapt to these changes.
For years, decentralized systems and applications have been tested in the wild. Despite millions engaging with blockchain networks and decentralized applications, Web3 is still significantly underused. Approximately 10% of the global population may own cryptocurrency, but only a small portion actively utilizes decentralized applications as alternatives to conventional platforms. This disparity stems from usability issues and the inherent complexity of Web3 technology.
In essence, Web3 wasn’t truly meant for human usage on a large scale; it was tailored for machines. However, as AI agents begin to function as autonomous economic entities, Web3’s capabilities are beginning to awaken. The era of the “Post Web”—a term developed at Outlier Ventures—imagines a world where agents manage tasks, oversee assets, and conduct transactions autonomously, repurposing all elements of the Web3 architecture that were once viewed as impediments due to complexity.
The Transformation of Web3
Web3 has been misunderstood as merely a more decentralized iteration of Web2, promising users ownership over their assets and governance participation. In reality, its technological landscape remains overly intricate for typical users. Complex tasks such as smart contracts, self-custody, and cross-chain interactions require extensive understanding and effort that many lack.
AI agents can thrive where humans encounter difficulty, processing vast data sets and integrating effortlessly with decentralized networks. This transition presents a unique opportunity for Web3, enabling it to operate at the scale it was originally intended.
The Stack of the Future
As AI agents become primary users in the Post Web era, considerable transformations in technology must occur:
- Optimizing the Current Web3 Stack for AI: Enhancing decentralized platforms to facilitate machine-centric transactions.
- Constructing a New Agent’s Layer: A computing and coordination framework to support AI agents managing economic activities.
This approach enables users to simply convey their high-level goals, allowing agents to take over execution without cumbersome navigation through wallets or applications. The shift toward autonomous agents liberates users from the intricacies of complex systems, while still enabling them to maintain control.
The Road Ahead
The intersection of AI and Web3 clarifies that for the Post Web to function, AI agents will need access to trust environments where agreements can be validated without ambiguity. Blockchain technology and smart contracts offer this assurance, facilitating economic activities with transparency.
The future infrastructure of the Post Web, filled with decentralization, will define how digital economies operate, challenging existing paradigms.
Conclusion
The internet built for human interaction is fading as we embrace a new realm of machine-driven operations led by AI agents, fundamentally redefining our digital futures.
