The Delphi Podcast

In this conversation, Jeff from Nous Research discusses their work on open source models and the BitTensor subnet. They address the challenges of ranking models on platforms like Hugging Face and the need for a more reliable and commercially viable model ranking system. Nous Research has developed Nous Hermes, an open source model that can be fine-tuned to follow specific instructions. They also created the BitTensor subnet, which allows developers to submit their models and rank them against synthetic data generated by GPT-4 and Claude. The goal is to approximate the state-of-the-art models and incentivize the creation of high-quality models. The conversation explores the potential of synthetic data generation, the future of model selection, the world simulator and amorphous applications, the intersection of AI and crypto, concerns and risks in the crypto AI space, the inevitability of AGI, the role of crypto in AI, regulation and over-regulation in crypto AI, the potential interaction between AGI and centralized systems, proof of personhood and verifying authenticity, and Nous Research's mission and focus.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Noose Research and Open Source Models

07:12 Overview of Nous Hermes and Fine-Tuning Models

26:30 Challenges with Open Source Models and the Need for BitTensor

32:10 Ranking and Reputation in BitTensor Subnet

34:27 Approaching GPT-4 with BitTensor

37:42 The Potential of Synthetic Data Generation

39:07 The Future of Model Selection

41:29 The World Simulator and Amorphous Applications

44:48 The Intersection of AI and Crypto

48:32 Concerns and Risks in the Crypto AI Space

51:17 The Inevitability of AGI

53:35 The Role of Crypto in AI

56:01 Regulation and Over-Regulation in Crypto AI

58:52 The Potential Interaction Between AGI and Centralized Systems

01:05:24 Proof of Personhood and Verifying Authenticity

01:10:04 Nous Research's Mission and Focus

01:12:26 Attracting AI Developers to Nous Research

Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Recorded Live at ETH Denver 2024, this conversation explores the intersection of crypto and AI, discussing the need for decentralized AI models and the challenges of achieving this. The participants highlight the importance of keeping AI open and driven by people, rather than organizations. They discuss the potential of blockchain and Web3 technology to enable new business models and address the limitations of centralized AI companies. The conversation also touches on the role of incentives and tokens in driving innovation in the crypto AI space. The discussion concludes with an examination of BitTensor and the potential for future advancements in crypto AI. The conversation explores various themes related to the intersection of crypto and AI. It discusses the value of outside judgment in rating AI systems, the concept of a hive mind, and exciting use cases in the crypto and AI space. The projects AGI Guild and Morpheus are highlighted, along with the decentralized data warehouse Space and Time. The potential of utilizing unused data in DeFi protocols and the decentralized chat GPT platform MyShell.ai are also discussed. Concerns about OpenAI's dominance, the collaboration between Web2 and Web3, and the concept of zero party data are explored. The conversation also touches on the potential of data DAOs and crowdsourcing, the idea of minimum viable centralization, and the inflection point of decentralized AI and compute. Tangible innovation in ZKML and decentralized data, the importance of edge compute, and the need for decentralized inference are further examined.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:54 The Need for Crypto and AI

06:29 Challenges of Decentralizing AI

09:18 Building Better Models with Web3

13:31 Innovation and Value in Crypto AI

19:11 BitTensor and the Future of Crypto AI

24:18 The Value of Outside Judgment

25:14 The Concept of a Hive Mind

25:43 Exciting Use Cases at the Intersection of Crypto and AI

26:33 AGI Guild and Morpheus Projects

27:32 Space and Time: Decentralized Data Warehouse

29:26 Utilizing Unused Data in DeFi Protocols

29:53 Decentralized Chat GPT with MyShell.ai

30:48 Concerns about OpenAI's Dominance

34:00 Web2 and Web3 Collaboration

35:11 The Concept of Zero Party Data

37:30 The Potential of Data DAOs and Crowdsourcing

38:06 Minimum Viable Centralization

40:29 The Inflection Point of Decentralized AI and Compute

43:45 Tangible Innovation in ZKML and Decentralized Data

45:35 The Importance of Edge Compute

46:30 The Need for Decentralized Inference

Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Tommy and Santiago interview Ethan Sun, the co-founder of MyShell, a decentralized platform for creating and staking AI native applications. They discuss the evolution of AI over the past decade, the importance of consumer-facing applications, and the potential for AI to enhance daily life. Ethan explains how MyShell empowers creators to easily build AI experiences and the role of incentives in the platform's ecosystem. They also explore the future of MyShell, its competition, and the scalability challenges in the AI crypto space. In this conversation, Ethan Sun, the co-founder of MyShell, discusses the future of AI agents and the potential for personalized AI companions. He explores the idea of AI agents that understand individual needs and can perform tasks without explicit instructions. The conversation also touches on the improvement of underlying models and the role of human feedback in reinforcement learning. Ethan shares his thoughts on the differences between OpenAI and Crypto AI and the potential for crypto to empower the open source community. He discusses MyShell's end game and the importance of creators in the platform. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of incentivizing different parties within the system.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 The AI Stack and MyShell's Focus

07:01 Creating AI Experiences on MyShell

09:47 Easy Creation of AI Experiences

12:45 Applying Incentive Models to AI

16:34 Incentivizing Creators and Users

27:41 Competition and Differentiation

32:41 Web2 vs Web3 and Scalability

39:42 The Future of AI Agents

42:23 Improving Underlying Models and Data

45:04 Creators' Ideas and Applications

48:42 OpenAI vs. Crypto AI

51:09 Crypto's Impact on Open Source

56:02 MyShell's End Game

01:00:08

AGI and Human Feedback

01:04:19 Ratio of Creators to Users

01:06:40 Excitement and Concerns about Crypto AI

01:09:47 Incentivizing Supply and Demand

01:10:16 The Importance of Rules and Restrictions

01:12:04 Blockchain Infrastructure and Deployment

01:14:17 Hardest Party to Incentivize

Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the e

In this podcast, we dive deep into the world of Bitcoin scalability solutions with Orkun Kilic, the co-founder and CEO of Chainway Labs, the company behind Citrea - Bitcoin's first zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup.

Orkun provides a detailed background on the journey that led to the creation of Citrea, explaining how recent upgrades to Bitcoin's protocol like SegWit, Taproot, and the Ordinals protocol paved the way for new possibilities by enabling arbitrary data storage on the blockchain. This opened up a design space for building scalable layer 2 solutions on top of Bitcoin.

The core innovation behind Citrea is the use of ZK proofs and the groundbreaking BitVM (Bitcoin Virtual Machine) primitive to create a trust-minimized bridge between Bitcoin's base layer and the Citrea rollup. Orkun goes into the technical depths of how BitVM works, allowing off-chain virtual machine computations to be proven valid on Bitcoin's blockchain through an interactive fraud proof verification game.

Citrea's EVM compatibility and the plan to attract developers by tapping into Bitcoin's trillion-dollar liquidity are covered in-depth. Orkun envisions Citrea becoming a "programmable liquidity layer" enabling DeFi protocols, stablecoins, and innovative decentralized applications while inheriting Bitcoin's security and decentralization.

With its comprehensive technical insights and forward-looking perspectives, this episode is for anyone interested in the future of programmable money on Bitcoin.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Keywords

Bitcoin, Citrea, ZK Rollup, Scalability, BitVM, Optimistic Bridge, BTC, Programmable Liquidity, Developer Ecosystem, DeFi, Stablecoins, Decentralized Applications, Turing-Complete, Trust-Minimized, Ordinals, Taproot, SegWit, Data Compression, State Diffs, Throughput, Adoption, Ethereum, Layer 2 (L2), Chainway,

In this episode, Keith Singery, a prominent validator and thought leader in the Bittensor ecosystem sits down with Tommy and Michael to share his unique perspective on the project's mission to democratize AI and create a decentralized alternative to the centralized models dominating the field.

They delve into the intricate dynamics of Bittensor, including the incentive mechanisms that fuel the network's miners and validators, the potential for a "Cambrian explosion" of specialized AI models, and the vision of a future where individuals can customize their own AI assistants tailored to their needs and values.

Keith passionately argues for the necessity of decentralized AI as a counterweight to the increasing control of tech giants over our access to information and the shaping of our worldviews. Drawing parallels to the open-source software movement, he paints a compelling picture of a world where the intelligence landscape is shaped by the collective efforts of the many, rather than the dictates of the few.

This wide-ranging conversation touches on fascinating topics such as the potential for AGI to emerge from decentralized networks, the role of crypto incentives in driving AI development, and the challenges of monetizing the Bittensor ecosystem.

Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, an AI aficionado, or simply someone intrigued by the cutting edge of technology, this episode offers a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of decentralized intelligence.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Keywords

Bittensor, Decentralized AI, Open-Source Models, Incentive Mechanisms, AGI, Democratizing AI, Crypto Incentives, AI Monetization, Keith Singery, BitTensor Validator, AI Ethics, Customizable AI Assistants, Michael Rinko, Tommy Shaughnessy, TAO, AI, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Crypto, $TAO, #TAO.

In this episode, Keone Hon dives deep on Monad, a high-performance Ethereum-compatible layer 1 blockchain focused on delivering high performance and drastically lower transaction costs.

We discuss Monad's key technical innovations like MonadBFT consensus, parallel execution, and a custom database enabling 10,000+ TPS. Keone explains how these breakthroughs allow complex 100K gas transactions costing just a fraction of a cent, 100x cheaper than even leading Layer 2s.

We also explore how Monad achieves this while maintaining decentralization and a rich developer experience via full EVM equivalence. Tune in to learn why Monad could be a game changer for builders and users looking maximize performance and minimize costs.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

As an additional disclosure, Tom Shaughnessy the host is an angel investor in Monad.

Keywords

Monad, Keone Hon, EVM, Layer 1, high performance, low cost transactions, Ethereum Virtual Machine, EVM compatible, parallel execution, consensus, decentralization, developers, Monad xyz, Tommy Shaughnessy, Delphi Digital, Delphi, Crypto, Cryptocurrency, Ethereum,

Simon Harman, founder of decentralized cross-chain swap protocol Chainflip, joins us for an in-depth discussion on the future of trading in crypto.

We cover the motivation behind building a decentralized exchange focused on major layer 1 assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, the technical challenges with supporting Bitcoin, and how ChainFlip achieves fast, no-slippage swaps.

Simon explains ChainFlip's advanced liquidity architecture including the JIT AMM, which allows liquidity providers to bid on trades in real-time. We discuss the debate around active versus passive liquidity and why active liquidity management is essential for competitive pricing.

Looking at sustainability and security, Simon shares his views on how to define profitability for DeFi protocols and how ChainFlip captures value to incentivize FLIP token holders. He also walks us through ChainFlip’s extensive testing and processes to prevent hacks.

With cross-chain interoperability on the rise, we get Simon’s thoughts on the app chain thesis and why application-specific blockchains have advantages over generalized smart contract platforms.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Keywords

Decentralized exchange, DEX, Cross-chain swaps, Bitcoin swaps, Ethereum swaps, Trading, Liquidity, Tokenomics, Sustainability, Security, ChainFlip, Simon Harman, Tommy Shaughnessy, Can Gurel, Crypto, Cryptocurrency, Cross Chain, Exchange, Bitcoin, Ethereum,

Logan Jastremski, Co-founder of Frictionless Capital, sits down for an in-person podcast with Tommy to discuss scaling solutions for high throughput blockchains. They dive into integrated chains like Solana versus modular approaches like Celestia, balancing decentralization and performance, Layer 2 rollups, the differences between downtime and reorgs, and more. Logan breaks down his views from a first principles perspective and where he thinks the infrastructure is heading long-term.

Join them as they unravel the future of high throughput blockchains through an enlightening exchange of ideas and expert analysis.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Keywords

crypto, blockchain, decentralisation, censorship resistance, transaction speeds, scalability limitations, data availability sampling, throughput bottlenecks, layer 2 rollups, sharding, virtual machines, consensus mechanisms, nakamoto coefficients, nodes, amortisation, sustainability, solana, celestia, high throughput, logan jastremski, frictionless, frictionless capital, high throughput blockchain scaling, intergrated chains,

Guy Young joins Delphi Ventures' Yan Liberman to discuss Ethena’s novel approach to creating a stablecoin that is censorship-resistant, scalable, and yield-generating.

We explore how Ethena achieves these goals through a crypto-native stablecoin called USDE that generates yield by collateralizing staked ETH and shorting ETH futures. The conversation provides unique insight into the mechanics and incentives underlying USDE's design.

We also discuss second-order implications of the product capturing significant market share in the future and explore pathways for further decentralization over time. The episode sheds light on an innovative stablecoin built to be resilient across market cycles. It serves as a fascinating case study on the delicate balance between pragmatism and principles in crypto design. We also touch on future opportunities to integrate USDE's outsized yields into DeFi protocols in synergistic ways as adoption grows.

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. DV is an investor in Ethena.

Keywords

stablecoin, yield farming, ethereum staking, futures basis trading, dual asset collateralization, decentralized finance (DeFi), total value locked (TVL), market resilience, open interest, cryptocurrency adoption, tokenomics, crypto derivatives, lending protocols, money markets, fixed income, decentralized governance, stablecoin regulations, tether, market share, proof of stake economics, staked cryptoassets, USDE, ethena, ethena labs, USDC,

AI innovation is accelerating rapidly, but centralized control threatens equitable access and distribution. Can decentralized coordination unlock AI's full potential?

We explore this question with Upshot CEO Nick Emmons on his mission to decentralize AI models and architect mechanisms for specialized models to work together.

We dive into Upshot's network architecture, machine learning pricing models for NFT valuations and DeFi, reimagining incentives and IP protections, challenges facing decentralized models, and whether crypto startups can realistically compete against data and talent-rich Big Tech.

Get Nick's forward-looking view on if decentralization can reshape access, power, and innovation in AI - as well as predictions on AGI evolution timelines and crypto's role in advancing an open and participatory AI future.

Don't miss this forward-looking glimpse into the AI decentralization uprising from one of its leading voices.

Summary:

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Disclosures

Disclosures: This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token. Delphi’s transparency page can be viewed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Additional disclosure: Upshot is a Delphi Ventures portfolio comp

Keywords

Decentralized AI, AI centralization, crypto vs Big Tech, decentralized AI models, AI coordination mechanisms, crypto AI stack, financial AI models, NFT valuations, AI incentives, model IP protection, collective intelligence, specialized AI models, verifiable AI, generative AI models, AI infrastructure, AI applications, AI, UpShot, BitTensor, Nick Emmons, Delysium, AGI, TAO, Proof of Alpha, NFT, DeFi, DePin