PANews reported on February 5th that the a16z crypto team published an article pointing out that as AI systems scale up, the internet lacks a native way to distinguish between humans and machines, posing a challenge to the trust system. Blockchain technology can provide a solution. The article summarizes the following five key roles:

1. Increase the cost of AI impersonation: Limit the scale of fake identity generation and increase the cost of attacks by using decentralized human authentication systems (such as World ID).
2. Decentralized identity verification: Blockchain gives users control over their own identity, avoids single points of failure in centralized identity systems, and protects privacy and censorship resistance.
3. Creating a universal "passport": A blockchain-based identity layer enables AI agents to operate across platforms, carrying permissions and payment information, improving interoperability and preventing lock-in effects.
4. Support for machine-scale payments: Utilize blockchain micropayments and smart contracts to achieve low-cost, refined payment allocation and support economic activities between machines.
5. Enhanced privacy protection: Through zero-knowledge proofs, users can verify their identity without exposing specific data, preventing AI from abusing information to impersonate others.

a16z believes that blockchain is a necessary infrastructure for building an AI-native internet, which can restore trust and support the healthy development of AI systems.