Former Developer Sees Major Opportunity at the Intersection of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence advances at breakneck speed, reshaping industries and daily life, concerns over data privacy, model transparency, and centralized control continue to mount. In response, Ethereum—a blockchain best known for powering decentralized finance—is being positioned by some thought leaders as a potential solution to AI’s growing trust crisis.
Eric Connor, a former core Ethereum developer, recently expressed confidence in Ethereum’s ability to serve as a decentralized foundation for AI development. Sharing his insights on April 15 via X, Connor said, “Ethereum’s biggest mainstream breakthrough could come through AI,” suggesting that the blockchain platform’s core principles align well with the pressing needs of AI governance.
Addressing the Black Box Challenge with Smart Contracts
AI today is frequently criticized for being a “black box”—models operate with little transparency, trained on opaque datasets held by a handful of dominant tech companies. According to Connor, Ethereum’s transparent and verifiable smart contracts could help open up these closed systems.
By recording training data sources and decision-making processes on-chain, Ethereum can offer a public ledger of AI behavior, promoting greater accountability. This level of openness could address growing public demand for fairness, security, and user control over AI technologies.
However, Connor acknowledged that dominant AI firms may resist transparency, as their business models often rely on proprietary algorithms and closed datasets. “They benefit from secrecy and centralized control,” he said. Even so, he believes that growing calls for ethical, transparent AI development could drive developers toward decentralized alternatives.
Ethereum’s Architecture Aligns with AI Ethics
Connor emphasized that Ethereum’s native infrastructure—decentralization, micropayments, and token-based incentives—naturally supports collaborative AI development. The blockchain’s culture of openness, trust minimization, and community governance mirrors the qualities that ethical AI systems should embody.
He called on the Ethereum community to continue building tools, frameworks, and applications that demonstrate how AI can thrive on a decentralized platform. With the right innovation, Connor believes Ethereum could extend far beyond finance and into the technological mainstream.
Rise of Agentic AI on the Blockchain
Ethereum is also becoming fertile ground for the development of “agentic AI”—autonomous AI entities capable of making decisions, learning from experience, and interacting with decentralized systems. According to a recent Ethereum blog post, these AI agents are beginning to find real utility on the blockchain.
Among the highlighted projects is Luna, a virtual influencer managing its own on-chain wallet; AIXBT, an AI assistant providing crypto market insights; and Botto, a community-governed AI artist that creates and sells NFTs. These examples illustrate how AI agents can leverage Ethereum’s transparent data and smart contracts to operate independently and interact with digital assets.
Additionally, platforms like Bankr and HeyAnon are lowering the barrier for blockchain engagement, enabling users to control wallets and execute smart contract functions through intuitive chat interfaces.
Decentralization as the Next Crypto Frontier
Connor’s vision is echoed by other voices in the tech space. Zain Jaffer, co-founder of mobile ad platform Vungle, stated earlier this year that decentralizing AI represents the next major leap for the crypto industry.
As Ethereum evolves beyond its financial roots, its potential role in democratizing artificial intelligence is gaining traction. For developers seeking open infrastructure and users demanding ethical AI, Ethereum may offer a promising alternative to the centralized status quo.