Analysis of Demand and Prospects for AI Agents in the Web3 Field

Recently, a report from a European venture capital firm showed that among the 20 hottest open-source startups globally, more than half are closely related to AI, including Web3 projects represented by MyShell and Fuel. This phenomenon reflects the increasing importance of AI in the Web3 field.

Starting from the end of 2023, the AI+ concept is rapidly gaining traction in Web3, and by 2025, AI Agents are expected to become the focus of the industry. Currently, almost all Web3 projects are actively integrating AI elements to maintain competitiveness.

Data shows that although the AI+ concept has only been around for less than two years, its number of projects, market value, and trading volume have already surpassed several mature sectors. In terms of financing, there were a total of 22 financing rounds in the AI sector in February, with a known total amount exceeding 97.6 million USD; although there was a slight decrease in March, there were still 14 financing rounds with a known total amount exceeding 82.04 million USD. It is worth noting that AI sector projects account for about 10% of weekly financing.

Many well-known venture capital firms, such as Meow, IDG Capital, and Animoca Brands, have participated in investments in the AI track. This not only reflects the impressive frequency and amount of financing but also highlights investors' confidence in this field.

So, why is Web3 so optimistic about AI+, especially the currently hottest AI Agents? Besides the macro environmental factors, the more core reason lies in the high compatibility of AI Agents with the needs of Web3:

1. Natural extension of the decentralized concept

The core of Web3 lies in decentralization, and AI Agents are an extension of this concept. They can operate autonomously on blockchain networks, possessing independent on-chain identities, wallets, and assets, and can perform various tasks through on-chain protocols. This makes AI Agents independent participants in the Web3 network, able to collaborate with human users or other Agents in activities such as governance voting and protocol calls.

2. The Inevitable Convergence of Technological Development Trends

With the maturity of technologies such as GPT-like large models, Agent frameworks, TEE, and ZKP, the conditions for the implementation of AI Agents are now in place. Web3 provides the three essential infrastructures required for AI to operate autonomously: identity systems (DID and on-chain signatures), value systems (on-chain wallets and asset mechanisms), and execution systems (smart contracts and decentralized networks). This technological trend is transitioning from "humans issuing commands, AI executing" to "AI acting independently, validated on-chain."

3. The demand for simplified operations from Web3 users

Web3 users often face challenges such as cumbersome operations, high knowledge barriers, and significant attention costs. AI Agent can effectively address these issues, such as automating contract interactions, monitoring wallet risks, and extracting and summarizing information. For investors with high activity or substantial funds, the AI Agent acts like a competent assistant, helping to save time, reduce operational errors, and seize on-chain opportunities.

The AI Agent is not just another new concept in Web3, but rather a functional implementation. It directly addresses the actual needs of users through a tool-based approach, allowing the value logic of Web3 to be genuinely perceived by ordinary users for the first time. If DeFi, NFT, and DAO are early attempts at the ideals of decentralization, then the AI Agent is likely to become the key interface that connects these concepts and makes them truly useful for users.

We may be entering a new phase: Web3 is no longer just a concept but a true era where ordinary users can "use" it.