Decentralized AI in Web3: Insights from Audrey Akwenye, Spartan Labs CTO

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Building Web3 Podcast, where Jax sits down with Audrey Akwenye, the visionary CTO at Spartan Labs, to explore the dynamic intersection of decentralized AI, Web3 technologies, and blockchain innovation. Audrey Akwenye is a leading figure in the blockchain ecosystem, bringing her expertise from her earlier career as a data scientist and CTO in the edTech sector into the rapidly evolving world of Web3.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:50 Joining Spartan Labs
03:13 The Mission of Spartan Labs
04:49 Focus and Verticals of Spartan Labs
05:50 Technologies in the AI Agent Stack
09:27 Understanding AI Agents
11:01 Spartan Labs' Work in AI Agents
12:42 Favorite Centralized and Decentralized Models
13:17 Exploring Farcaster and Frames
17:10 Projects in the Web3 Space
18:37 Challenges of Building AI on Chain
21:23 Favorite Centralized and Decentralized Models
22:58 Advice for New Founders in Web3
26:04 Underdeveloped Areas in Web3
28:38 Getting Involved with Spartan Labs

In this in-depth conversation, Audrey takes us on her journey into the world of Web3, starting from her early days in AI to her transformative "come to crypto" moment. Discover how she transitioned from traditional tech environments to embrace blockchain and decentralized technologies, which she now champions at Spartan Labs.

Audrey shares the challenges and opportunities she encountered while working on various pioneering projects, including DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), Web3 gaming, and decentralized data storage solutions. As the CTO of Spartan Labs, a venture studio and R&D arm of Spartan Group, Audrey is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge decentralized AI applications and blockchain projects that are set to redefine the future of digital interaction.

Learn about the innovative tools and technologies that Audrey and her team at Spartan Labs are leveraging, such as ERC 6551 (token-bound accounts), which allow for the creation of NFTs with built-in wallets that carry pre-programmed AI logic. She also delves into the potential of OLAS, a decentralized AI project utilizing multi-agent systems to create more reliable and secure AI-driven automation. These insights are essential for any blockchain enthusiast, developer, or entrepreneur looking to understand the future direction of Web3 and decentralized AI.

Audrey also provides valuable advice for aspiring Web3 founders and developers. Whether you’re looking to launch a DeFi protocol, build the next big thing in Web3 gaming, or create a decentralized application (dApp), Audrey emphasizes the importance of hands-on building, community engagement, and understanding the underlying technologies that power blockchain ecosystems. She shares her thoughts on leveraging decentralized social networks like Farcaster to enhance AI-driven social connections and discusses the significance of projects like BuildSpace, Autonolist, and Theore in fostering innovation within the Web3 community.

Furthermore, Audrey gives us a glimpse into the future of AI-powered gaming, where AIs are not just passive tools but active participants in the gaming ecosystem, as seen in the projects like Parallel and Wayfinder. These developments are not just about creating more immersive games but about pioneering new ways to interact with digital environments, making them an essential area of exploration for anyone interested in the convergence of AI, gaming, and blockchain.

For those looking to get involved with Spartan Labs, Audrey explains how her team incubates early-stage Web3 projects, offering expertise in decentralized AI, blockchain infrastructure, and go-to-market strategies. Whether you’re a develope