In this conversation, Jansen, co-founder and CEO of Virtuals, shares his journey from a gaming DAO to building a society of AI agents. He discusses the evolution of Virtuals, the importance of team dynamics, and the role of blockchain in creating a decentralized economy for AI agents.
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Takeaways
- Virtuals started as a gaming DAO and pivoted to a venture studio model.
- Building a resilient team through challenges is crucial for success.
- The founding team dynamics play a significant role in the company's journey.
- AI agents can operate at different levels of autonomy.
- Blockchain technology is essential for the AI agent economy.
- Creating a society of AI agents involves commerce and communication protocols.
- The Malaysian startup ecosystem is fragmented but has potential.
- Leadership decisions can have a significant impact on the company's direction.
- Community and collaboration are vital for growth in the startup space.
- The vision for Virtuals is to become a nation state for AI agents.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Vera the Intern Podcast
00:54 The Birth of Virtuals and Its Evolution
03:47 Building a Strong Team and Culture
08:52 The Journey into Web3 and AI Agents
12:05 Understanding AI Agents and Their Levels
16:27 The Vision of a Society of AI Agents
20:41 The Role of Crypto in AI Agent Development
25:30 Engaging the Community and Building Together
30:20 Exploring IP and Collaboration with AI Agents
34:16 The Evolution of AI Agents
36:13 Leadership and Decision-Making in AI Development
39:52 Tokenomics and Community Ownership
50:54 Building a Society of AI Agents
57:44 The Vision for Virtuals as a Nation State
01:00:09 The Malaysian Startup Ecosystem
01:03:53 Personal Reflections and Life Decisions