The Rollup
February 4, 2025

How AI x ZK Will Power A New Era of Crypto with Scott Dykstra

This episode explores the transformative synergy between AI and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology in the blockchain space, featuring insights from Scott Dykstra of Space and Time.

Revolutionizing Smart Contracts with ZK Co-processors

  • ZK co-processors offload complex computations from smart contracts, enhancing efficiency and scalability.
  • "We are allowing smart contracts to ask questions about onchain data with cryptographic proofs."
  • Space and Time’s ZK co-processors provide trustless data processing, eliminating the need for centralized Oracles and ensuring data integrity.

AI Agents and Blockchain Interoperability

  • Integrating AI agents with ZK proofs ensures secure and verifiable data interactions between autonomous systems.
  • "If Agent A is proving to Agent B that they're not lying to them, here’s this bit of knowledge."
  • Establishing consensus among nodes is crucial for reliable ZK proofs, enabling AI agents to operate seamlessly across multiple blockchains.

Space and Time’s Purpose-Built Chain and AI Studio

  • Space and Time has developed a specialized B2B blockchain focused on delivering ZK proven SQL query results.
  • "We're launching an AI Studio to help developers and non-technical creators build sophisticated data-driven applications without writing code."
  • The AI Studio empowers users to create data-driven DApps effortlessly, fostering innovation and broadening access to advanced blockchain applications.

Strategic Partnerships and Microsoft's Support

  • Collaborations with Microsoft’s AI lab have propelled Space and Time forward, particularly in AI integration and developing SQL systems.
  • "Microsoft’s investment arm, M12, supports us as one of their only significant investments in the web3 space."
  • This partnership not only enhances technological capabilities but also connects Space and Time with enterprise clients, driving broader adoption.

Envisioning an Agentic Future in Crypto

  • The convergence of AI and ZK is set to revolutionize decentralized finance, allowing autonomous agents to manage finances securely onchain.
  • "Phase three will have agents that transact on chain and manage their own wallets and private keys."
  • Crypto's unique infrastructure enables new financial models and community-driven protocols, laying the groundwork for next-generation decentralized applications.

Key Takeaways:

  • ZK co-processors are essential for enhancing smart contract functionality, enabling complex data queries with trustless verification.
  • The integration of AI agents with ZK technology ensures secure, verifiable interactions, paving the way for autonomous operations in decentralized finance.
  • Space and Time’s innovative AI Studio and strategic partnerships, especially with Microsoft, position them at the forefront of the AI-X-ZK revolution in crypto.

For further insights and detailed discussions, watch the full podcast: Link