What Should I Learn, AI or Blockchain?
In the fast-evolving tech landscape, choosing between AI and blockchain can be a pivotal decision for your career. We’ve gathered insights from Founders and Senior AI Research Scientists to help guide your learning path. From the buzz of blockchain to the broad influence of AI, discover the top eleven perspectives on whether to dive into AI or blockchain.
- Compare Blockchain Buzz to AI Impact
- Think of Future Integration of AI and Blockchain
- Consider AI’s Broad Influence and Ethics
- Assess Personal Learning Preferences
- Offer More Diverse Employment Opportunities Through AI
- Evaluate Goals to Determine Your Path
- Weigh the Importance of Innovation and Trust
- Boost Efficiency and Automating Processes With AI
- Look at Blockchain’s Long-Term Revolutionary Potential
- Choose AI for Immediate Impact or Blockchain’s Promise
- Recognize AI’s Tangible Impact on Digital Marketing
Compare Blockchain Buzz to AI Impact
As someone who can be considered an early adopter of blockchain and crypto, and now an AI enthusiast, I believe I can share a unique perspective.
With blockchain, especially in the early days, the passion and buzz were palpable, and it was driven by motives to change the world and the way we live. Yet, as it matured and financial gains became more apparent, the narrative shifted predominantly toward monetization. And most of the excitement is about what blockchain could do or could be, rather than what it is doing.
AI is completely different. Just within the last 12 months (since ChatGPT changed the game), I have seen more real use cases (personal, professional, and business) than I have seen in blockchain for the last 10 years, and it is only going to get crazier in 2024. I cannot wait.
AI is where it’s at and where it is going. I highly recommend you learn AI.
Think of Future Integration of AI and Blockchain
In 1-2 years, this will be similar to asking, “What should I learn, the internet or cybersecurity?” The answer is, both or neither. Shortly, both AI and blockchain technology will be ingrained into the fabric of the way we interact with digital platforms and environments.
AI will be integrated into any and every replicable task, from spokespeople to chatbots to emails—it’s estimated that 60%+ of our internet experience will be AI-driven as soon as 2026. When AI has fully permeated our digital experience, blockchain will soon become equally pervasive as a method to verify credentials on a chain, or, put more simply, prove humanity.
In an internet run by artificial intelligence, the blockchain will be our best bet to prove authentic interactions, as we will all have provable on-chain IDs or “soul-bound” tokens that will identify us through signing digital contracts on the blockchain.
In the future, these technologies will be so ingrained into our world that we won’t have to learn about them the same way we don’t need to learn about the internet or an iPhone to use them. AI will be much more widely applicable and ‘learnable’ over the next 1-2 years, but in the long term, both technologies will have a considerable impact on our future.
David Cash, Founder and Managing Director, Cash Labs
Consider AI’s Broad Influence and Ethics
While blockchain technology may have some practical applications, AI has a tremendous and growing involvement in all aspects of life. Everything from customer service to national security can benefit from the judicious application of AI.
Gaining skills in dealing with machine learning models, for example, will benefit professionals in a wide variety of industries. Generative AI has become a part of everyday life for many people, so becoming comfortable interacting with LLMs will pay off.
Regardless of the application, users of AI must familiarize themselves with the ethics of AI. AI itself is not dangerous, but its misuse by poor actors, or even those unfamiliar with the potential pitfalls, definitely poses a danger.
Gene Locklear, Senior AI Research Scientist, Sentient Digital, Inc.
Assess Personal Learning Preferences
Both AI and blockchain are fields with immense potential, but the best choice for you depends on your interests. If you have a passion for data, problem-solving, and creating systems, then AI might be the path for you.
Think about groundbreaking advancements like self-driving cars and medical diagnosis systems. If you find yourself captivated by decentralized systems that can revolutionize industries, then blockchain might be a perfect fit.
Imagine supply chains that can autonomously track themselves or tamper-proof voting systems. It all comes down to this question: Do you want to focus on making machines smarter or ensuring trustless transactions?
Once you have identified your core interest, immerse yourself in resources, engage with communities, and start honing your skills! It’s important to keep in mind that both domains are rapidly evolving; thus, get ready for a learning journey.
Omar Masri, Software Entrepreneur and Founder, Mamori.io
Offer More Diverse Employment Opportunities Through AI
They’re a little like apples and oranges. Blockchain is a specific technology, while AI is much more of a category.
From an employment opportunity perspective, AI is probably a better choice since there are many paths you could take, starting with writing chat prompts through to writing machine learning code. AI will permeate most businesses in a few short years and be part of any information ecosystem.
Blockchain is a more specific technology that is most often applied to financial transactions. While the application of this technology is growing, its adoption is much slower and more narrow than AI.
Pierce Baugh, Founder, Strategic Database Systems
Evaluate Goals to Determine Your Path
I would say both AI and blockchain knowledge matter nowadays. It all depends on the goals you’re trying to achieve. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in digital marketing activities, especially if you’re a content creator, UX/UI designer, copywriter, market researcher, or AI manager.
Your work most likely involves AI tools, and to stay productive and efficient, you need to be proficient with them. If you engage with Web3—cryptocurrency, NFTs, smart contracts, web wallets, and digital assets—you must be interested in blockchain.
It’s the core concept of the Web3 world that allows users to have enhanced data security, greater information transparency, decentralized networks, stable connections, and technical failure resistance.
Dmytro Rodionov, Digital Marketer, Softblues
Weigh the Importance of Innovation and Trust
Choosing between AI and blockchain is akin to selecting between a brilliant personal assistant and an incorruptible, trust-building accountant. The prodigy, AI, promises to make your systems smarter by anticipating demands and automating tasks like a dream team member.
It’s like having a supercharged brainstorming partner on hand, ready to transform data into meaningful insights. Blockchain functions as a meticulous accountant, guaranteeing that every transaction is error-free, tamper-resistant, and transparent.
If your company relies on trust and transparency, such as when handling sensitive data or transactions, blockchain could be your secret weapon.
Consider AI to be the avant-garde artist who is continuously evolving and pushing limits, whereas blockchain is the trustworthy friend who always has your back. What’s the option? It’s a choice between an innovative powerhouse and an unbreakable trust-builder on your tech team’s roster.
Simon Ryan, Chief Technology Officer, Firstwave
Boost Efficiency and Automating Processes With AI
The capacity of AI to automate operations and boost efficiency across a range of processes is one of its key features. Gaining knowledge about artificial intelligence (AI) can help develop systems that can learn, adjust, and improve over time.
Robotic systems powered by AI, for instance, automate repetitive tasks in manufacturing, increasing productivity. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots in customer service offer prompt answers to inquiries, improving client satisfaction and cutting down on response times.
Gaining knowledge of AI enables you to create intelligent systems that improve organizational productivity by streamlining processes, reducing manual labor, and increasing the total workload.
Sasha Quail, Business Development Manager, claims.co.uk
Look at Blockchain’s Long-Term Revolutionary Potential
I recommend you learn more about blockchain as early as now. While AI is currently a hot topic and has immediate applications, blockchain technology holds immense potential for the future.
It’s poised to revolutionize not just finance, but a multitude of industries, by providing secure, decentralized systems for transactions. Therefore, gaining a deep understanding of blockchain now could give you a significant advantage in the long run.
Michael Schmied, Lead Financial Consultant, Kredite Schweiz
Choose AI for Immediate Impact or Blockchain’s Promise
It all depends on the motivations that drive your decision. AI is very hot. Looking at the market needs, it’s taking off quickly because it solves various business problems across industries in the short term. It’s a reality.
Blockchain is still a big question mark regarding the problems it solves and their impact on markets and industries, but I believe it has huge potential.
Think about whether you’re more willing to solve market problems in the short term with AI or figure out what blockchain can solve in the long term. What would make you happier and fit better with the stage of your professional career?
Jose Bermejo, Founder and Managing Partner, Predictable Innovation Strategy
Recognize AI’s Tangible Impact on Digital Marketing
From my experience working with Adaptify SEO, a platform utilizing AI for SEO efforts, I’ve witnessed a significant boost in the effectiveness and efficiency of SEO strategies in multiple companies. AI’s ability to automate and optimize tasks, such as generating targeted keyword clusters, creating content, and building backlinks, significantly improves online visibility, organic traffic, and backlink opportunities.
One of the case studies I was involved in includes NachaTech, a firm dealing with ACH/NACHA validation. Their impressions saw a month-on-month growth of 64% with AI’s involvement. Another example is how Beacon Digital Marketing had an article ranked on Page 1 for five high-value terms within days, because of AI’s integration into their workflow.
Therefore, I would say, based on my experience and the tangible results seen, learning AI could provide immense value in today’s digital marketing landscape. Although blockchain also holds potential and is worth exploring, the impact of AI on digital marketing and SEO is currently more evident and widespread.
Dominic Zijlstra, Founder, Adaptify AI
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