In a bid to revolutionize the way artificial intelligence (AI) is used and circulated, 0G Labs has launched a new NFT standard, ERC-7857. This innovative standard was created explicitly for AI agents, referred to as Intelligent NFTs (iNFTs). Each iNFT is equipped with its own encrypted metadata, paving the way for easier buying, selling, and usage of AI agents on decentralized platforms.
This development is seen as a significant stride towards AI being governed by its owners rather than a centralized team. This implies that everyone, from individual developers to large businesses, could potentially trade AI agents as they would any other asset on the blockchain.
The existing NFT standards, such as ERC-721 and ERC-1155, are deemed inadequate by 0G Labs when it comes to AI. While these older models are adept at handling collectibles like digital art or game items, they fall short in the complex realm of AI agents. For instance, these agents require specific data to be hidden due to its value or privacy implications. Traditional NFTs store an asset’s metadata openly, offering no protection for confidential AI code.
In response to these challenges, the 0G Labs team designed ERC-7857 to secure an agent’s “intelligence” with encrypted metadata, providing a proof mechanism that ensures its genuineness. Whenever an AI agent is sold or transferred, a trusted system re-encrypts sensitive data to ensure that only the owner can unlock the AI’s core functions. This unique approach ensures that the data remains secure during the transaction, and the AI can evolve without compromising encryption.
With ERC-7857, 0G Labs envisions new AI marketplaces where iNFTs can be traded with ease. Creators gain more control over their earnings as they can set royalties on every resale.
Several potential applications of this technology have piqued developers’ interest. Businesses could transform their in-house AI services, such as chatbots or data analytics tools, into iNFTs. This would simplify the process of transferring these tools between departments or outside partners, without the risk of losing private information.
Similarly, individual developers specializing in AI might also benefit. Instead of selling their services through individual contracts, they could create specialized iNFTs and offer them on a marketplace, collecting royalties whenever those AI agents change hands.
The advent of ERC-7857 could potentially inspire a surge in AI-driven applications. For instance, owners of an iNFT with unique capabilities could collaborate with others in a shared AI marketplace, creating hybrid solutions that would not have been possible alone.
In conclusion, the introduction of ERC-7857 by 0G Labs, which recently raised $325 million, could significantly influence how the world uses and circulates artificial intelligence. If this new standard gains widespread adoption, it may signify a turning point in the relationship between AI, ownership, and decentralized technology, empowering AI agents to operate securely and independently, while keeping control in the hands of their actual owners.
