A16Z 2024 Trend Outlook: Blockchain Modularization, Web3 Games, NFT Application Analysis
A16Z is a technology and innovation venture capital company. The list of "big ideas" it releases every year reveals its forward-looking predictions for future technological changes. This year's list covers a wide range of fields, including American vitality, biology, consumer technology, encryption, enterprise, financial technology, games, infrastructure and many other fields. What is particularly eye-catching are its innovative concepts involving encryption, such as decentralization, user experience improvement, AI empowerment, game entertainment, and digital security.
A16Z firmly believes that decentralization is the essence of encryption technology, allowing more people to enjoy the convenience and benefits brought by advanced systems and platforms, instead of being restricted by a few oligarchs. To this end, they proposed several novel solutions, such as using DAO based on Machiavellian principles to design a more effective decentralized governance mechanism, using light clients to allow mobile end users to directly verify blockchain data, and using cross-chain protocols to Realize data interaction between different blockchains, etc.
Optimizing user experience is a key challenge facing encryption technology, which is directly related to user engagement and satisfaction. A16Z advocates creating a more convenient and trustworthy user experience, such as using password generators to replace passwords, using smart accounts to manage complex transactions, introducing multi-party calculations to ensure the security of user keys, and using embedded wallets to ensure seamless Smooth login and payment processes, as well as the use of advanced RPC endpoints to identify user intentions and fill in information gaps, etc.
The application of AI technology in the field of encryption has broad prospects and will help promote AI innovation and democratization. A16Z pointed out that encryption technology will encourage everyone to contribute to AI models and obtain rewards, thus breaking the monopoly of technology giants in the field of AI innovation. For example, the decentralized market is used to empower users to sell and purchase AI data and models; decentralized computing is used to allow users to share and utilize remaining computing resources; decentralized storage is used to provide users with safe and efficient AI data storage and access. Services etc.
As an important direction in entertainment life, the introduction of encryption technology is expected to improve the playability and value of the game. A16Z believes that encryption technology can be combined with the gaming industry to create more "play and earn" models.Examples include a series of game projects that use encryption technology, including using NFT to allow users to hold and trade unique items in the game; using DAO to allow users to participate and promote game development; using blockchain to realize the transfer and use of game assets across games, etc. .
As with any system, ensuring digital security requires practical measures. In this regard, A16Z emphasizes the need to deal with a high degree of digital security, such as the use of zero-knowledge proofs to protect user privacy, post-quantum cryptography to resist quantum computer attacks, and the implementation of multi-signatures and threshold signatures to enhance user key security, etc.
It is worth mentioning that A16Z, as a well-known investor in the encryption field, has invested in many encryption projects such as Yuga Labs, Solana, and Uniswap. Its encryption team is composed of senior engineers, academics and investors, and is committed to empowering the development and innovation of encryption technology.
