For episode 216, we’re excited to welcome Tony Pham, Chief Marketing Officer at Kava, to explore how decentralized AI and blockchain can work hand-in-hand to create a more transparent, secure, and efficient Web3 ecosystem.
We unpack Kava’s unique co-chain architecture that bridges the best of Ethereum and Cosmos, and how this hybrid model enables scalable AI tooling for DeFi, DAO governance, decentralized infrastructure, and beyond.
Tony also shares what Kava is building with Oros, their decentralized agent layer, how it empowers users to automate administrative tasks and interact more intuitively with Web3, and how this could be a game-changer for onboarding the next wave of users.
If you’ve ever wondered how blockchain can help ensure that AI remains open, ethical, and aligned with human values, this episode is for you.
You’ll learn:
🧠 AI is the missing abstraction layer for Web3: One of the biggest blockers to mainstream adoption is usability. From signing cryptic onchain messages to navigating governance forums, Web3 can feel overwhelming. Decentralized AI has the potential to abstract away complexity and make interactions more intuitive, personalized, and human-centered, especially within DAOs and DeFi protocols.
🔍 Transparency is the key differentiator: Unlike centralized AI, which functions as a black box, decentralized AI brings open-source models, onchain verification, and community governance into the equation. This ensures that decision-making processes and data outputs are transparent, auditable, and neutral.
⚙️ AI-optimized DAOs are on the horizon: From summarizing complex proposals to reducing governance fatigue, AI agents can help streamline operations, boost engagement, and take administrative burdens off DAO contributors. When paired with blockchain’s tamper-proof infrastructure, these tools can dramatically increase the efficiency and effectiveness of decentralized organizations.
PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market. By joining the Pipe Associate Network (aka PAN), associates can create a profile highlighting their skills, be notified of opportunities, and then contribute fractional work to pre-IPO companies in return for equity and tokens.
Check out their Linktree for links to all of their socials so you can get involved and join this growing community!
02:25 - Let’s start with your journey. You’ve had an exciting path through Web3 and AI, including roles at Kadena and SuperLayer. What drew you to the crypto space, and what ultimately led you to your current role as CMO at Kava?
05:45 - For those newer to Kava, can you give us a quick overview of what Kava is and what sets it apart in the crowded L1 landscape?
06:50 - The co-chain architecture is a big part of that differentiation. How does Kava’s combination of Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems through co-chain architecture empower developers and users?
08:20 - Some would argue that decentralized AI isn’t just “nice to have” but essential infrastructure for scaling Web3. What are your thoughts on this? Do you see AI as the missing abstraction layer needed to onboard the next wave of users?
10:20 - What role do you see AI playing in making it easier to interact with the blockchain layer?
11:55 - Let’s talk about Oros. What exactly is Kava’s Agent Layer, and how does Oros work to help users automate DeFi strategies or interact with Web3 in more intuitive, human-centered ways?
13:45 - One of the challenges with centralized AI is that everything happens in a “black box”, where users don’t know how the model is trained, where the data comes from, or how it uses their data. How can decentralized AI help address this?
16:45 - AI and DePIN is one of the most exciting intersections in Web3 right now. In one of Kava’s blog posts, it highlights how AI can enhance decentralized infrastructure networks, including with resource sharing, predictive maintenance, and energy efficiency. Can you tell me more about this?
20:05 - There’s also a lot of talk about AI-enhanced DAOs. From your vantage point, how can AI help overcome some of the persistent DAO challenges like governance fatigue, proposal bottlenecks, or voter apathy?
22:15 - Many fear that AI will take the human elements out of day-to-day life, whereas some believe that it can be used as a tool to help humans reach their potential. What are your thoughts on this?
27:35 - You’re helping shape the future of DeAI. What advice do you have for builders who want to start working at the intersection of AI and Web3 but aren’t sure where to begin?
29:00 - Do you have a CTA for listeners? Where can they go to learn more about Kava and get involved in the ecosystem?
30:40 - Are there any exciting projects in the Kava ecosystem that you’d like to highlight before we wrap up?
31:55 - Fast-forward 5 or 10 years: What does the world look like if decentralized AI and Web3 reach their full potential?
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While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
