Hey folks, if you're into the wild world of blockchain and how it's intersecting with AI, you've got to check out the latest buzz from NEAR Protocol. They just dropped a fresh podcast episode on The Rollup, where co-founder Illia Polosukhin chats with host Andy about kicking off an "AI Supercycle." It's all about building a future where AI isn't controlled by big tech overlords but owned by users like you and me.

The tweet from NEAR Protocol highlights this episode, quoting a clip where Illia breaks down the vision. He draws a cool parallel to the internet's early days—imagine if AOL had monopolized the whole web. Scary, right? That's the dystopia he's warning against with AI. Instead, NEAR is pushing for "user-owned AI," which means giving individuals control over their AI tools, ensuring privacy and sovereignty. Think of it as decentralizing intelligence so no single company dictates what you see, do, or think.

In the clip, Illia explains how AI could be even more game-changing than the internet because it'll augment our decisions and perceptions—maybe through AR glasses or personalized content feeds. But if one entity pulls the strings, we're heading toward a 1984-style nightmare with "Big Brother" feeding us biased info. User-owned AI flips the script: it's about making AI yours, not theirs, with openness preserved like the free web we enjoy today.

This ties right into the blockchain space, especially for meme token enthusiasts. NEAR's focus on decentralized tech could supercharge meme communities by enabling AI-driven tools for creation, trading, and engagement without centralized censorship. Imagine meme coins powered by user-controlled AI agents that handle everything from viral marketing to fair launches—keeping the fun, chaotic spirit of memes alive while boosting security and ownership.

If you're building or investing in meme tokens on NEAR, this podcast is a must-listen for insights on how AI integration could evolve the ecosystem. Head over to The Rollup's tweet for the full clip, or catch the episode on your favorite platform. It's a reminder that in crypto, innovation isn't just about gains—it's about empowering users against tech giants.

What do you think—ready for a user-owned AI revolution? Drop your thoughts in the comments!