Summary

In this conversation, Erick Ho, co-founder of Function Network, shares his journey from creating a RuneScape bot to developing a managed AI cloud platform. He discusses the challenges of sustainability in open source models, the role of blockchain in coordinating AI transactions, and the importance of personalization in AI agents. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of AI and crypto, as well as the future plans for Function Network.


Takeaways

Erick's journey into technology began with creating a RuneScape bot.
Bots are an early iteration of AI agents.
Open source model sustainability is a pressing issue.
Function Network aims to coordinate developers, model creators, and infrastructure providers.
Blockchain facilitates seamless payments in the AI ecosystem.
AI agents can be hyper-specialized for specific industries.
The Function Network is currently attracting developers to its platform.
Transaction fees in traditional systems are a barrier to scalability.
Personalization enhances the effectiveness of AI models.
The AI and crypto landscape is still evolving with many opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of a Tech Enthusiast
02:55 From Gaming to AI: The Evolution of Function Network
05:59 Understanding Managed AI Cloud Services
09:05 The Sustainability Challenge of Open Source Models
12:08 Function Network: Bridging Gaps in AI Development
15:02 Targeting Developers: The Function Network Approach
18:01 Hyper-Specialized AI Agents in Various Industries
20:57 Defining AI Models and Agents
24:01 The Intersection of AI and Crypto
28:11 Understanding Function Network and Crypto Integration
30:47 Traction and Development Progress of Function Network
32:34 Target Users and Incentives in Testnet
34:12 Challenges in Attracting Model Developers
36:30 Navigating Competition in the AI and Crypto Landscape
40:30 Differentiating Models in a Crowded Market
48:12 Final Thoughts on Overrated Ideas and Influential Builders

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