Yat Siu, co-founder and chairman of Animoca Brands, shared his vision for the future of AI, Web3 gaming, and the open metaverse at the Hack Seasons Conference in Hong Kong.
He emphasized how artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are shaping digital economies, with AI-driven gaming and blockchain-powered education expected to play a major role in the evolution of decentralized ecosystems.
AI and Web3: A Natural Connection
During his speech, Siu highlighted how AI and Web3 are closely linked, explaining that AI agents naturally operate within blockchain ecosystems. Unlike humans, AI cannot interact with traditional banking systems, making cryptocurrency the ideal medium for transactions. He predicted that AI-powered gaming would gain significant traction by the end of the year, enhancing gameplay experiences and user engagement.
Additionally, he pointed out that AI systems are already involved in Web3 economies, where users perform tasks for AI in exchange for token-based payments. This growing interaction between AI and blockchain could reshape financial transactions and digital ownership.
Web3’s Potential in Education
Beyond gaming, Siu identified education as a major industry poised for disruption through blockchain integration. He described education as a $5 trillion sector with complex financial structures, including endowments and student loans, that could benefit from decentralization. Through Animoca Brands’ Open Campus initiative, the company is working on blockchain solutions to make education more accessible and transparent.
He compared this shift to the early days of blockchain gaming, where initial skepticism gave way to mainstream adoption. Siu believes that education could follow a similar path, becoming a key area of innovation and investment in Web3.
Addressing Open Metaverse Misconceptions
Siu also spoke about misunderstandings surrounding the open metaverse, clarifying that it is not defined by any single company, including Facebook’s rebranding to Meta. He stressed that the success of the open metaverse should not be judged by token prices but rather by real engagement, such as the millions of daily active users in Web3 gaming metaverses.
He also pointed to upcoming gaming releases, including Grand Theft Auto VI and Nintendo’s next-gen Switch console, as factors that could drive mainstream adoption of blockchain features in gaming.
Advice for Web3 Developers
For developers looking to enter the Web3 space, Siu advised embracing the technology fully by engaging with communities, using decentralized applications, and acquiring tokens. He compared the current Web3 landscape to the early days of the internet, describing it as an open field full of opportunities.
He encouraged developers to focus on projects they are passionate about rather than simply copying existing ideas. According to Siu, Web3 is not just a technological shift but also a cultural transformation, and true engagement is the key to making meaningful contributions.