In the context of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly popular, DePIN and real-world asset tokenization (RWA) emerge as potential solutions, helping humans become shareholders in the machine economy rather than victims of automation.
From the Fear of Losing Your Job…
Over the past few years, robots have been taking on more and more roles in the economy. According to McKinsey, it is estimated that by 2030, about 375 million jobs will be replaced by automation. The explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) further accelerates this process, allowing smart machines to participate deeper into the value chain.
This trend is evident from large-scale systems such as Xiaomi's fully automated smartphone factory or Amazon's smart warehouse, to smaller applications such as delivery robots.
However, the inevitable consequence is that many people will lose their jobs, from phone assembly workers, parcel sorting staff, to even delivery people. There is an opinion that robots are freeing people from heavy work, but many people are also concerned about unemployment due to automation.
In fact, automation does not simply replace jobs, but also creates new ones. However, the number of new jobs is often fewer and requires higher levels of skills and education. For example, self-driving taxi services could create jobs for engineers and AI experts, but how many of the current taxi drivers can meet that requirement?
Therefore, taxi drivers' opposition to self-driving cars is understandable. There have even been cases where delivery robots were attacked, or tea picking robots were protested by people because they caused thousands of people to lose their jobs. The public is aware of technology's threat to their livelihoods. They fear a future in which only a few benefit from automation, while millions more face economic hardship.
…Get the Opportunity to Become a Shareholder
Human fear comes from a feeling of helplessness in the face of the ongoing wave of automation. The only way to solve this problem is to change the way the process works by making everyone a shareholder, instead of a victim. And that's where Web3 comes into play, especially DePIN and RWA.
Imagine a smartphone factory that automatically distributes a portion of its profits to its token holders – Web3 can make that happen.
DePIN – Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network
DePIN acts as a network that enables devices to automatically create value for their owners. From smartphones to drones to autonomous vehicles, DePIN allows users to earn tokens by providing real-world services.
As devices become increasingly intelligent, they will be capable of performing more complex tasks, thereby opening up more DePIN use cases and reward opportunities.
The clearest example is the case of a car rental company in Vienna. After tokenizing some of its vehicles as tokens, the company found that token holders tend to treat vehicles with much more care. They voluntarily wash the car and clean the interior, even though there is no reward. It is the feeling of ownership, even a small one, that has created a huge change in the way people perceive these cars.
Tokenized Tesla on the streets of Vienna by Eloop company The Future Where People Are Not Left Behind
DePIN has similar potential to address social inequality caused by automation. DePIN provides a framework that enables autonomous devices at any level to create value for their owners. From smartphones to drones to vehicles, DePIN enables people to exploit the full potential of everyday devices, earning tokens by providing real-world services.
As devices become smarter, they will be able to do more, opening up new DePIN use cases and more rewards opportunities. And once again, we will be shareholders, not victims, as the world moves from centralized infrastructure to community ownership.
Innovation cannot be stopped, but we, as a society, must always care for those affected by it. Automation promises businesses billions of dollars in new revenue, but also risks leaving millions unable to make a living.
With such an impactful process, it is important to ensure that it does not benefit just a few – and with machine-based RWA and DePIN, we can create a future where everyone has a stake in the booming machine economy.
