AI AGENTS ARE EVERYWHERE
HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING THE BUSINESS OF WEB3
Authored by Nehkee, Bankless Consulting Associate
Have you ever wondered why some companies seem to thrive better even when everything around them is changing? The answer often lies in their ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies to adapt and innovate. AI is turning Web3 into the most exciting playground for businesses, offering unparalleled efficiency, automation, and scalability. Companies are no longer just experimenting with AI; they are integrating it to redefine business models, optimize operations, and unlock new economic opportunities.
From financial services and supply chain management to digital identity and decentralized applications, AI is enhancing nearly every aspect of Web3. Businesses are using AI-driven analytics to gain deep insights into market trends, while decentralized AI protocols are facilitating trustless transactions and smarter governance mechanisms. With AI-powered tools, even small startups can access sophisticated automation that was once reserved for tech giants.
The synergy between AI and Web3 is fostering an era of self-learning, autonomous systems that can interact seamlessly across different blockchain networks. Smart contracts are evolving to become more intelligent, predictive AI models are improving security, and AI-generated content is revolutionizing digital ownership through NFTs and creative economies. As businesses continue to integrate these innovations, they are unlocking new avenues for monetization, reducing inefficiencies, and fostering a more interconnected digital economy.
This article explores how AI is enhancing the business landscape of Web3 by automating complex processes, enabling intelligent decision-making, and empowering individuals and enterprises to operate more creatively and efficiently.
Evolution of Smart Contracts
Most smart contracts used to be as rigid as a brick. They execute pre-coded rules blindly, which is why we’ve seen countless exploits. But AI is injecting much-needed adaptability. Take global logistics as an example. Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, integrated AI with blockchain-based smart contracts to automate its supply chain. Sensors on cargo ships feed real-time GPS and temperature data into AI models, which adjust payment terms dynamically. If a shipment arrives early, suppliers receive a 5% bonus via instant crypto payments. If delays occur due to weather (pulled from Chainlink’s AI oracles), penalties are reduced proportionally. This system slashed disputes by 90%, saving $2.8 million annually in legal fees, while accelerating cash flow cycles by 40%.
Even Gucci now uses AI contracts to manage supplier relationships. Machine learning algorithms analyze historical delivery performance, social media sentiment, and even geopolitical risks to renegotiate terms in real-time. Suppliers with a 95% on-time rate receive preferential terms, while the underperformers face automated renegotiations. This resulted in a 25% reduction in supply chain costs and a 15% boost in customer satisfaction due to faster restocks of trending items.
In real estate, Propy (a blockchain-based property transaction platform), uses AI smart contracts to automate closings. When a buyer’s financial credentials meet pre-set criteria (e.g., credit score, down payment), the contract auto-releases funds and transfers ownership without human intervention. This reduced closing times from 45 days to 72 hours in a recent Miami high-rise sale, saving $50,000 in administrative costs per transaction.
Previously, deploying blockchain solutions and smart contracts required specialized expertise and substantial investment, limiting their accessibility to large corporations. AI is democratizing access to these technologies, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to automate processes, facilitate international trade, and optimize resource allocation without the need for in-house blockchain specialists. With AI’s integration, even a small retailer can leverage sophisticated automation tools to facilitate international trade, manage contracts, or optimize resource allocation without the need for an in-house team of blockchain experts.
AI-Driven Corporate Governance
Corporate governance is another arena where AI and Web3 intersect with significant business applications. DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) offer a new way to run companies by letting everyone take part in decision-making. In a regular company, decisions can be slow and stuck in a loop. But with AI-powered DAOs, decisions can be made quickly using data. For example, an AI can review market trends, financial reports, and feedback to create simple summaries and point out ideas that clash with the company's goals. This makes running a company easier and helps businesses respond fast to new challenges and opportunities.
I've been in many DAOs that ended up in chaos—voting on Discord or managing budgets with Google Sheets. It's hard to believe anything gets done that way. AI is starting to fix these problems. Tools like Aragon automatically highlight proposals that don't fit a DAO's mission. The bottom line is: DAOs need AI to scale. But deep down, I feel like we’re flirting with dystopia. I tested a “delegated voting” tool where an AI voted on my behalf based on past preferences. It felt convenient until I realized it was prioritizing profit over ethics. If we’re not careful, DAOs will become algorithmic echo chambers. AI should inform decisions, not make them. Humans must stay in the loop.
Taking NFTs Beyond Art
The narrative isn’t complete without acknowledging the evolution of digital assets, particularly NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Initially, NFTs captured attention as digital collectibles with a focus on ownership and exclusivity. Today, businesses are reimagining these assets as tools for enhancing customer engagement and unlocking new revenue streams. Nike's .SWOOSH platform is a great example of how businesses are innovating with NFTs. On this platform, every NFT sneaker changes based on your activity. For instance, tracking your daily steps with a Fitbit can unlock special designs, while sharing Nike content on social media earns you token rewards. NFT owners also get access to exclusive VR fashion shows, where AI-powered avatars of designers like Virgil Abloh—trained on his past interviews—interact with fans. This approach has led to a 10x boost in user engagement compared to traditional loyalty programs, with 27% of NFT holders making repeat purchases over $500.
In the music world, AI-powered NFTs are shaking things up. Take electronic artist Grimes, for example. She launched an AI-driven NFT album where songs remix themselves based on the listener’s mood. A synth-pop track might shift into a heavy dubstep version if your heart rate spikes during a workout. Fans even earn royalties when they share these remixes, with the AI automatically splitting the payments among all involved. Within six months, this project made $2.6 million—about 300% more than what many artists earn on Spotify.
Luxury brands are also finding new revenue streams through NFTs. Patek Philippe, for example, released 50 NFTs linked to its limited-edition watches. An AI system analyzes the purchase history of NFT holders to offer personalized upgrades—like suggesting a platinum casing for a collector who already owns a diamond-encrusted model. This strategy resulted in $8 million in upsells within six months, with the NFTs later trading at a 300% premium on the secondary market.
Decentralized AI Marketplaces and AI Agents: The New Oil Economy
AI is becoming the driving force of the next industrial revolution—akin to oil in the 20th century. However, unlike oil, AI’s value is being distributed across decentralized networks, empowering individuals and smaller enterprises rather than being controlled by a few corporations.
The rise of decentralized AI marketplaces, such as SingularityNET, Ocean Protocol, and Fetch.ai, is paving the way for a new economy where AI services are accessible to all. These platforms allow businesses to tap into AI-powered analytics, automation, and decision-making tools without the exorbitant costs of developing proprietary AI systems.
Agent-based economies are also emerging, where AI agents transact autonomously on blockchain networks. From automating global logistics to optimizing personal finance, these agents execute complex tasks, making real-time decisions based on vast data inputs. The implications are vast—businesses that embrace decentralized AI ecosystems can access a diverse array of AI services while maintaining transparency, reducing operational costs, and ensuring greater data sovereignty. While the old oil economy powered the industrial age, decentralized AI marketplaces and agents are set to power the next era of business innovation.
The Role of Bankless Consulting in Transforming the Business of Web3
As companies explore AI’s integration with Web3, strategic guidance is crucial. Bankless Consulting plays a vital role in helping businesses and DAOs navigate this transformation by providing expert advisory and practical solutions tailored to the needs of Web3 startups, enterprises, and decentralized communities.
Currently, we are helping Hellomother.ai build its agent marketplace and set up its DAO structure, ensuring that the platform is economically sustainable, governance-aligned, and optimized for agent collaboration.
Our expertise spans multiple key areas:
Incubation Services
Bankless Consulting supports Web3 projects from ideation to full-scale implementation. We particularly assist in strategic planning, business model development, and securing the right partnerships for success. By leveraging our deep knowledge of the web3 space, we help clients optimize tokenomics, governance structures, and technology stacks to create sustainable ecosystems.
Our incubation program also includes mentorship from seasoned Web3 professionals who guide projects through technical, legal, and financial challenges. Startups working with Bankless Consulting gain access to valuable networking opportunities, fundraising strategies, and go-to-market execution plans that set them apart in the competitive decentralized landscape.
Web3 Training and Education
We understand that getting involved in Web3 is a challenge for many organizations unfamiliar with blockchain, DeFi, and AI-powered smart contracts. Bankless Consulting offers structured training programs that educate corporate teams and individuals on these emerging technologies. Their curriculum covers topics such as:
The fundamentals of blockchain technology
The role of AI in smart contract automation
Decentralized finance (DeFi) strategies
The legal and regulatory landscape of Web3
Implementing security best practices in decentralized applications
This initiative helps businesses bridge the knowledge gap, ensuring smooth adoption and integration of Web3 solutions into their operations.
DAO-in-a-Box: Streamlining Decentralized Governance
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have become a revolutionary governance model, but setting up and managing one effectively requires significant expertise. Bankless Consulting provides a structured framework called "DAO-in-a-Box" to simplify the process for businesses and communities looking to implement decentralized decision-making structures.
Their service includes:
Designing governance models tailored to the organization’s needs
Developing and deploying DAO governance tokens
Setting up voting mechanisms and incentive structures
Providing AI-powered decision support tools to enhance efficiency
Ensuring regulatory compliance and risk mitigation
With this comprehensive approach, Bankless Consulting enables DAOs to operate transparently, efficiently, and sustainably while maintaining alignment with their core mission. If you’d like to learn all the bits about how DAOs work, grab your copy of “How to DAO” by Jan Brezina, a Co-founder and Director at Bankless Consulting.
Custom Web3 Solutions and Advisory
Recognizing that each organization has unique challenges and opportunities, Bankless Consulting offers bespoke solutions tailored to specific business needs. Whether it's integrating AI-driven automation, optimizing decentralized applications, or implementing blockchain-based financial models, they provide hands-on support to achieve the desired outcomes.
Our services also extend to tokenomics design, NFT strategy development, and optimizing decentralized business models. By leveraging AI, we are very invested in helping clients enhance user engagement, and improve operational efficiency in Web3 environments.
With AI revolutionizing governance and smart contracts, businesses need expert consultancy to implement these tools effectively. Bankless Consulting ensures that companies can embrace Web3 innovations while maintaining sustainability and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
The future of business belongs to those who embrace AI and Web3 in unison. While tech giants like Amazon and Google dominate centralized AI models, the real disruptors will be businesses that integrate AI’s intelligence with Web3’s decentralized infrastructure. Companies that fail to adopt these innovations risk obsolescence in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The tools are in place, the results are evident, and the time to act is now. The real question is not whether AI and Web3 will transform industries, but rather, who will lead this transformation and who will be left behind.