When AI Agents Have Their Own Economy, Everything Changes
John Patten co-founded Treasure, focusing on infrastructure and AI in gaming. He believes AI is evolving from a tool to an active economic participant, necessitating environments for co-creation between AI and humans. AI agents must become autonomous planners to engage in unscripted economic activities, evaluating risks and opportunities dynamically. The rise of nearly 10,000 web3-related AI agents indicates rapid proliferation but limited value generation due to competition for resources. Enabling AI to operate in decentralized environments can foster entrepreneurial behavior. Traditional finance restricts AI autonomy, while blockchain offers a permissionless infrastructure for financial interactions. Online games serve as ideal testing grounds for AI, allowing them to learn and evolve through dynamic interactions. This shift towards self-directed AI is transforming economic paradigms, but it requires careful design to ensure alignment with human values. Transparent frameworks and participatory governance are essential for sustainable AI-driven economies.
