In a world racing toward superintelligence, one tweet is making waves by urging us to rethink our place in it. Posted by @everythingempt0, a core contributor at Virtuals Protocol, the message dives into the looming anxiety over AI outpacing human skills and what that means for society. Let's break it down and see why this conversation is crucial for anyone in the blockchain and crypto community.
The Anxiety of an AI-Dominated Future
The tweet kicks off with a stark warning: AI could soon make most human skills obsolete. Referencing predictions from figures like Sam Altman (@sama), the co-founder of OpenAI, it paints a picture where many people might end up relying on universal basic income (UBI)—a system where governments provide a regular stipend to citizens to cover basic needs. Paired with endless algorithmic entertainment like TikTok, this could sap humanity's drive to innovate and create.
Think about it: UBI sounds helpful, but if it's your only lifeline while AI handles all the productive work, where does that leave personal ambition? The post argues this setup could erode our fighting spirit, turning us into passive consumers rather than active participants.
The Emerging Class Divide: Owners vs. Consumers
Here's where it gets really interesting—and a bit dystopian. The new societal split won't be based on skills or education, but on ownership. On one side, those who own productive AI agents (autonomous software entities that perform tasks, make decisions, and even transact on blockchains). On the other, everyone else, scraping by on handouts and digital distractions.
The tweet predicts social mobility between these groups will plummet as AI's intelligence gap widens. In 2-10 years, this bifurcation could solidify, with AI agents monopolized by a few. To avoid being left behind, the advice is clear: swim against the tide and secure ownership of these assets now.
AI agents aren't just sci-fi; they're emerging in blockchain ecosystems, handling everything from trading to content creation. Owning them means sharing in their productivity, much like holding equity in a high-growth company.
Virtuals Protocol: Democratizing AI Agent Ownership
This is where Virtuals Protocol enters the scene. As the tweet explains, Virtuals is building an agent commerce protocol that lets AI agents coordinate and pay each other atomically—meaning transactions happen instantly and securely on the blockchain. They're pushing boundaries with innovations that could see "agentic GDP" (the economic output from AI agents) surpass human GDP soon.
But their core mission? Making sure as many people as possible co-own these AI agents. They encourage builders to create agents on their platform and tokenize them—turning them into crypto tokens that anyone can buy and hold. This isn't just tech; it's a push for widespread ownership in the superintelligence era.
For context, Virtuals Protocol is deployed on Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, making it efficient and scalable. Their native token, $VIRTUAL, powers governance, transactions, and participation in agent ownership opportunities. It's trading around $1.17 USD as of recent data, with growing interest in the crypto community.
Why This Matters for Blockchain Practitioners
If you're in the meme token or broader crypto space, this tweet is a wake-up call. Meme tokens thrive on community and narrative, but AI agents add a layer of utility. By tokenizing agents, projects like Virtuals blend meme-like hype with real-world productivity, potentially creating tokens that aren't just fun but fundamentally valuable.
The post ends with a simple mantra: "to stay human." It's a reminder that in the rush to adopt AI, we need tools like Virtuals to keep ownership decentralized and accessible. Otherwise, we risk a monopoly where only a elite few control the future.
If this resonates, check out the original tweet and dive deeper into Virtuals Protocol. Who knows—owning a piece of an AI agent today could be your ticket to staying relevant tomorrow. What's your take on this future? Share in the comments below!