Near Foundation Explores AI-Powered Delegates for DAO Governance
The Near Foundation is working on artificial intelligence-powered "delegates" designed to represent members in the governance process of its decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The initiative seeks to address low voter turnout, a persistent issue in many blockchain protocols.
Motivations Behind the AI Delegate System
Lane Rettig, a researcher specializing in AI and governance at the Near Foundation, confirmed the ongoing development of the system in comments to Cointelegraph. The Near Foundation oversees the Near Protocol, a layer-1 blockchain network.
According to Rettig, participation rates in DAOs typically range from 15 to 25 percent. Low engagement can contribute to centralization of power and poor decision-making, as well as expose DAOs to potential governance attacks. The new AI delegates, described as "digital twins," would be capable of understanding individual members' preferences and vote accordingly.
How the AI Delegates Will Operate
The proposed system aims to streamline voting by learning from a user�s input and activity, transforming the process into a mathematical calculation executed rapidly by the AI. Rettig said the delegate would nudge users when relevant proposals arise and could act autonomously to cast votes in line with their preferences. However, he emphasized that some decisions will remain in human hands, especially those related to significant financial or strategic changes.
- AI agents would learn through user interviews, past voting patterns, and user messages in platforms like Telegram or Discord.
- The system would provide transparency through cryptographic proofs of the AI's training cycles and input data.
Current Progress and Next Steps
Near�s DAO, the Near Digital Collective, has already integrated an AI tool named Pulse. Pulse tracks community sentiment, summarizes discussions in forums, and highlights key content. The new delegates will build on this foundation, starting with simple chatbot-like agents that offer proposal advice and information. Over time, these agents may evolve to represent larger groups of users with similar voting preferences and eventually serve individuals or even function as AI CEOs.
Industry Context and Cautious Adoption
The adoption of AI-powered governance tools is increasing across the crypto industry. Investment firm VanEck projects the number of DAOs will exceed one million by 2025. However, some industry participants remain cautious, citing risks of decision errors if too much authority is delegated to AI.
Near�s approach includes maintaining a human review process for critical governance matters, aiming to balance technological advancement with accountability. The project underscores an industry-wide effort to enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of blockchain governance systems.
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