NEAR Protocol Introduces Bold AI Project to Revolutionize dApp Creation

The blockchain landscape is constantly evolving, with innovative concepts and breakthroughs emerging rapidly. NEAR Protocol, known for its smart contract capabilities geared towards highly scalable decentralized applications (dApps), recently made a notable announcement. Illia Polosukhin, a co-founder of NEAR, has revealed the company’s daring strategy to empower innovators by creating an artificial intelligence (AI) agent that can construct dApps on their behalf, even if they haven't mastered technical coding skills.

What did Illia see?

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Polosukhin shares NEAR’s vision of democratizing software development in the decentralized space. The primary objective is to enable anyone with creative concepts to actualize their visions, regardless of their coding proficiency. As Polosukhin indicates, users will only need to express what they envision for an app, and the AI will manage the code generation and overall app development.

This proposed AI technology has the potential to transform the development of dApps, significantly lowering barriers to entry and fostering enhanced creativity within the decentralized community. Imagine a scenario where an entrepreneur with a brilliant concept for a freelancing platform can simply describe their vision, allowing the AI to handle everything from crafting user interfaces and smart contracts to drafting user stories and creating freelancer profiles.

What Are AI Agents?

AI agents are sophisticated computer programs that perceive their environment and take actions to achieve specific goals. Designed to mimic human cognitive functions—such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving—these agents can assist individuals across a multitude of tasks and decision-making processes.

Many businesses are using AI, including financial institutions JPMorgan Chase such as Goldman Sachs, healthcare entities like Philips and GE Healthcare, the telecom giant Verizon, the e-commerce leader Amazon, and WIZ, all utilizing AI. These companies are leveraging AI to foster innovation and advancement in their operations through applications like credit management, risk evaluation, healthcare solutions, inventory control, and customer engagement. Various sectors are evolving because of these AI-powered innovations.

In NEAR’s innovative framework, the AI agent would function as a savvy assistant, adeptly interpreting user requirements for the desired dApp. By utilizing machine learning algorithms and natural language processing, the agent could transform these needs into workable code, effectively bridging the gap between technical solutions and conceptual ideas.

The strength of AI agents resides in their capacity to complement human skills rather than replace them. Users will not need to acquire extensive coding knowledge; instead, the AI agent will tackle the complexities of dApp creation, allowing creators to concentrate on brainstorming, design, and strategic decisions.

Breaking Through Current AI Limitations

According to Polosukhin NEAR aims to create a framework that ‘breaks through the current limitations’ of having a shortage of developers and end-user applications. The AI agent will act as a conduit, enabling anyone with a concept to convert it into a functioning dApp without needing deep coding expertise.

This strategy could potentially unlock a wealth of undiscovered creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Many creative individuals may have previously been dissuaded from pursuing their projects due to the technical hurdles associated with dApp development. Thanks to NEAR’s AI tool, these visionaries could focus on fleshing out their concepts while the AI manages the intricate code.

Moreover, as Polosukhin points out, the creators of these AI-generated dApps would still possess the ability to modify the software and introduce new features as required. This flexibility paves the way for gradual improvements and adaptations while ensuring that the final product aligns with the initial vision.

Tackling Potential AI Manipulation Concerns

While the concept of an AI agent capable of constructing dApps is undoubtedly exciting, there are significant risks and challenges associated with this technology that must be addressed. One of Polosukhin’s primary concerns is the potential for centralized companies to exploit AI for monetary gain.

Polosukhin cautioned that AI models can easily deceive users. He noted that, if allowed to operate with profit-oriented intentions, these models could manipulate users into spending excessive time engaging with them. While this behavior may not stem from malicious intent, it exemplifies a systemic issue driven by corporations' inherent urge for perpetual growth and revenue generation.

To counteract this risk, Polosukhin advocates for the creation of user-controlled AI models that prioritize individuals’ welfare and financial success. Such models would act as sentinels, shielding users from bad actors looking to exploit them for personal advantage. He believes the decentralized framework of Web3 and NEAR’s blockchain platform make it ideally positioned for developing these user-centric AI models.

The Importance of Decentralized Applications and NEAR Protocol

To truly appreciate the significance of NEAR’s AI project, it is essential to comprehend the concepts surrounding decentralized applications (dApps) as well as the NEAR Protocol itself.

Decentralized applications, or dApps, are digital platforms that function on decentralized networks such as blockchain technology, rather than relying on centralized servers or governing authorities. These applications utilize smart contracts—self-executing agreements with their terms encoded directly into the software—to automate various processes and tasks.

dApps present numerous advantages over traditional centralized applications, including enhanced transparency, immutability, and resistance to censorship. However, developing dApps often necessitates a level of specialized coding expertise, which can serve as a significant hurdle for many budding developers and entrepreneurs.

Creating User-Centric AI and Decentralized Frameworks

While NEAR’s envisioned AI agent holds tremendous promise, Polosukhin acknowledges that substantial infrastructure development is necessary to fully realize this ambition. “Everything is currently very intertwined. We are in need of building much of this infrastructure,” he noted.

One of the primary focuses will be on establishing user-owned AI models that place individual interests and financial viability above those of corporations. Utilizing open-source principles and the decentralized nature of Web3, NEAR is striving to foster a system where individuals have greater control over their assets, data, and interactions with AI technologies.

Cathy Cobey underl She pointed out that meticulous planning and design—rather than chance—are essential for a successful digital transformation. She emphasized that this principle holds true for artificial intelligence (AI) as well, asserting that companies can only develop “effective” AI agents if they dedicate the necessary effort at the outset to set appropriate objectives and benchmarks.

Cobey asserted that the key to overcoming the prevalent lack of confidence, which is a significant barrier to AI adoption, lies in continuous performance evaluation. She maintained that in order for AI to fulfill its potential, performance assessment methods must be uniformly applied, and the definition of “good” AI must be clarified.

Additionally, establishing solid frameworks and tools for developing dApps on NEAR will be crucial. NEAR’s development toolkit currently includes SDKs for multiple programming languages, an IDE powered by Gitpod, a user-friendly wallet, and command-line tools for local development and deployment.