In a thought-provoking discussion, Dan Boneh, a cryptography expert and Stanford professor, teams up with Tim Roughgarden, a Columbia professor specializing in cryptoeconomics. They dive into how blockchain technology spurs advances in various industries, revealing groundbreaking topics like zero-knowledge proofs for privacy, automated market makers, and revolutionary governance through DAOs. Their insights highlight how these innovations could transform not just crypto, but society at large, echoing the historical impact of technology in improving human welfare.
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insights INSIGHT
Blockchain's Broad Impact
Blockchain tech drives new tech development, similar to the space program.
These advancements, initially for blockchain goals, benefit broader society.
insights INSIGHT
Grand Challenge of Blockchains
Blockchains present a grand challenge like the space program, driving innovation.
This ambitious vision necessitates breakthroughs in computer science.
insights INSIGHT
ZKPs: From Theory to Practice
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), once theoretical, are now practical due to Web3.
ZKPs enable scalability, privacy, and new applications like ZK Docs.
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In this special 50th episode of the web3 with a16z podcast, we discuss how work in the blockchains/ crypto space has led to advances in several important technologies — which can be (and are being) used by many other industries beyond crypto.
Tim Roughgarden (a16z crypto Head of Research and professor at Columbia University) and Dan Boneh (a16z crypto Senior Research Advisor and professor at Stanford University) discuss these advances in conversation with Sonal Chokshi.
Topics covered include automated market makers; credible auctions, collusion, and mechanism design not possible before; as well as zero knowledge; trusted execution environments (TEEs) and fully homomorphic encryption (FHE); and much more. We also discuss the recurring theme of how web3 provides a laboratory not only for experiments in governance, but for macroeconomics and more. The two also offer many useful explanations for anyone new to these technologies or seeking to understand why they matter in the big picture.
It’s an innovation story we’ve seen over and over again, from the space program to other massive invention efforts: Technologies developed for one purpose often lead to benefits for humanity overall.
Pieces mentioned in this episode and other resources:
As a reminder, none of the following is investment, business, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information including a link to a list of our investments.
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