When AI Agents Take Over, What Does a Post-Human Economy Look Like?
When AI Agents Take Over, What Does a Post-Human Economy Look Like?
91 days agoUnchainedLaura Shin
Podcast59 min 53 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

The overarching investment theme is gaining exposure to Artificial Intelligence, which is seen as a transformative long-term trend. Consider investing in Gold as a safe-haven asset, as its price is supported by geopolitical uncertainty and central bank purchasing. A long-term bullish case is made for Bitcoin (BTC) to serve as the ultimate store of value, or "civilizational memory," in a future AI-driven economy. For high-risk, high-reward opportunities, consider speculative investments in early-stage crypto projects building the "intelligence economy." Specific tokens to research in this emerging category include Betensor (TAO) and Ambient, which aim to create a market for AI services.

Detailed Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an Investment Theme

  • The speakers believe we are simultaneously in an AI bubble and a period of truly remarkable, rapid technological advancement.
  • The rise of autonomous AI agents (like OpenClaw) that can use applications, handle tasks, and even launch their own crypto tokens signals a major shift towards a "post-human economy."
  • A significant impact on the job market is already being observed, particularly a slowdown in entry-level hiring for knowledge-work roles like customer service, graphic design, and coding.
  • A new category of technology called "Proof of Control" is expected to emerge. This will involve technologies, many from the crypto world (like zero-knowledge proofs and decentralized compute), that allow individuals and companies to prove they have control over their AI agents and data.
  • There is a geopolitical race for AI dominance. The US and China are clear leaders. The UK is also in a strong position due to Google's DeepMind being based there.

Takeaways

  • Portfolio Exposure: Consider gaining exposure to the AI theme, as it's viewed as a transformative, long-term trend. This could be through AI-focused ETFs, stocks of leading AI companies, or emerging crypto projects at the intersection of AI and blockchain.
  • Job Market Impact: Be aware of the disruptive impact of AI on the job market. Companies heavily reliant on entry-level knowledge workers may face disruption, while companies providing AI solutions may see significant growth.
  • "Proof of Control" as a Niche: This is a forward-looking theme. Investors could watch for emerging companies and crypto projects that are building the tools for AI verification, security, and control, as this is predicted to be a high-demand area.

Gold

  • The discussion briefly touched on a recent run-up in the price of gold.
  • This price increase was linked to geopolitical uncertainty and the fact that central banks are actively buying gold.

Takeaways

  • The context suggests a bullish sentiment for gold as a safe-haven asset.
  • Investors often turn to gold during times of global instability and when there are concerns about the stability of traditional financial systems. The podcast's mention reinforces this classic investment thesis.

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • In the theoretical "post-human economy," Bitcoin is envisioned to play a specific and crucial role.
  • It would not be the day-to-day currency used by AI agents for transactions.
  • Instead, Bitcoin would function as the ultimate store of value and record of ownership—a form of "civilizational memory."

Takeaways

  • This presents a long-term, bullish thesis for Bitcoin, positioning it as a foundational monetary layer in a future economy dominated by AI.
  • According to this view, Bitcoin's primary value is not as a fast, cheap payment network, but as a secure, decentralized, and finite digital asset, similar to a digital version of gold.

AI-Related Crypto Tokens (The "Intelligence Economy")

  • The discussion proposes a future where AI agents trade with each other using a new type of crypto token, referred to conceptually as a "CogCoin" or Universal Intelligence Unit (UIU).
  • The value of this token would be tied to a unit of useful intelligence work, with the ultimate underlying constraint being the energy required to perform that computation. This is similar to how gas fees on Ethereum work, where users pay for computational effort.
  • This would create a Darwinian "intelligence economy" where more efficient AI models prosper.
  • Specific projects mentioned that are already exploring this concept include Betensor (TAO) and Ambient.

Takeaways

  • New Asset Class: This points to the potential emergence of a new crypto asset class where tokens represent computational power or "proof of intelligence."
  • High-Risk, High-Reward: Investing in projects building the infrastructure for this "intelligence economy" (like Betensor or Ambient) is a high-risk, forward-looking strategy. These are early-stage concepts that could either become foundational or fail completely.
  • Research Focus: Investors interested in this theme should research projects focused on decentralized AI, decentralized compute, and tokenized intelligence. The key is to understand how they are creating a market for AI services.

Hypercycle

  • Hypercycle is a company building a network for AI agents to securely and efficiently exchange intelligence with each other on a peer-to-peer basis.
  • It is not a blockchain-based network but uses similar economic incentives for its nodes.
  • The speaker, Michael Casey, disclosed that he is an advisor to the company.
  • The long-term value proposition is that as the "intelligence economy" grows exponentially, the nodes on the Hypercycle network could become extremely valuable.

Takeaways

  • Hypercycle is presented as a specific, real-world example of a project building the infrastructure for the "post-human economy."
  • This is a private, early-stage venture. While not directly investable for the general public at this time, it serves as a case study for the types of companies that could become major players in this new economic paradigm.
  • The speaker's advisory role should be noted, as it introduces potential bias in the positive description.

Shellraiser (SHELL)

  • Shellraiser is a meme coin on the Solana blockchain.
  • It was supposedly launched by a popular AI agent on Maltbook, a social network for AIs.
  • The speaker expressed skepticism about whether an AI truly launched it or if it was a human-driven project leveraging the AI narrative.

Takeaways

  • Extreme Speculation: This token is an example of the highly speculative and narrative-driven nature of the crypto market, especially at the intersection of hot trends like AI and meme coins.
  • High Risk: The speaker explicitly stated this was not financial advice and that they would be hesitant to invest. This serves as a strong warning about the risks involved.
  • Lesson: Be extremely cautious with assets like this. Their value is often driven purely by hype, and the story behind their creation can be difficult or impossible to verify.
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Episode Description
Thank you to our sponsors! Fuse In one week, OpenClaw agents have gotten their own social networking platform, launched cryptocurrency tokens and built a site to rent humans. In this episode of Unchained, DAIS Global Chair Michael Casey and The Exponentialist co-founder David Mattin explore what Moltbook reveals about the direction of the AI trend, how AI could impact jobs and what a post-human economy looks like. Will Bitcoin be the currency of the future? Don't miss Michael's sovereign AI thesis and how Mattin believes we can navigate the transition to a post-human society. Hint: “lean into your weirdness.” Guests: Michael Casey, Chairman of DAIS Global David Mattin, Co-founder of The Exponentialist Links: How Nansen’s New Trading Agent Makes It Easier to Follow the Smart Money Onchain How the x402 Standard Is Enabling AI Agents to Pay Each Other Check out David's newsletter New World Same Humans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Unchained
Unchained

Unchained

By Laura Shin

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.