Is NEAR Protocol Related To AI? Is It An AI Coin

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NEAR Protocol is not an AI coin traditionally, but it integrates AI to enhance blockchain functionality. The project was co-founded by Illia Polosukhin, an AI expert who contributed to Google's Transformer architecture — the foundation of models like ChatGPT.

NEAR Protocol is gaining attention in blockchain, but many wonder — does it have anything to do with AI? With AI advancements changing different sectors, investors and developers are looking for projects that combine AI with blockchain technology.

NEAR has a strong focus on AI, working on blockchain tools that use AI for automation, decentralized apps with AI features, and shared AI ownership on blockchain. The network introduced NEAR Intents, a tool that lets AI handle blockchain transactions on its own. So, what exactly is the NEAR Protocol, and how does AI fit into its vision? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the NEAR protocol? Key features

NEAR Protocol is a decentralized, developer-friendly blockchain built for fast and efficient transactions and smart contracts. It focuses on making blockchain easier, cheaper, and more accessible for decentralized applications (dApps). Unlike older blockchains, NEAR uses sharding technology to improve efficiency, making it a strong competitor to Ethereum and Solana.

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Many ask, "What is the NEAR Protocol?" In simple terms, it’s a layer-1 blockchain designed to make Web3 faster, easier to use, and open to more people. It does this by offering:

A sharded blockchain (Nightshade technology). Splits the network into smaller parts (shards) to process transactions in parallel, improving speed.
Proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus. Relies on validators to keep it secure while using less energy.
Human-readable accounts. Unlike long Ethereum wallet addresses, NEAR allows usernames like "Alice.near" for easy transactions.

Key features of NEAR protocol

The NEAR Protocol AI vision isn’t just about blockchain — it’s about enhancing decentralized systems with AI-driven automation. To understand why the NEAR Protocol is related to AI, let's explore its core features and how they connect to artificial intelligence.

1. Sharding technology (Nightshade)

Most blockchains get slower as they expand, but NEAR Protocol spreads transactions across different chains using Nightshade sharding. This keeps transactions fast and fees low, which is key for AI apps that need instant data handling.

2. Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus

NEAR uses a safe and eco-friendly PoS system, where validators stake tokens to process transactions. AI can work with this system to help manage staking automatically, improve how validators operate, and spot network slowdowns in advance.

3. Developer-friendly smart contracts

Developers can build dApps with built-in AI features using Rust and JavaScript, helping them add machine learning with ease. This is why NEAR Protocol AI projects aim to automate tasks smartly, use data to predict trends, and help users make smarter choices.

4. Human-readable wallet addresses

NEAR replaces complex wallet addresses with simple usernames, like "john.near," making transactions easier for users. AI bots can take advantage of this to create smart financial assistants tailored to users.

NEAR Protocol and Artificial Intelligence

The NEAR Protocol AI connection isn’t accidental — one of its co-founders, Illia Polosukhin, was a key contributor to Google’s Transformer architecture, which powers AI models like ChatGPT. This deep AI background has shaped NEAR’s approach to integrating machine learning and blockchain technology.

1. AI at the core of NEAR’s vision

From the start, NEAR was built to make blockchain easier to use through automation. AI helps improve transactions, keeps smart contracts safe, and helps dApps adapt based on user activity.

2. NEAR AI research and development (NEAR.AI)

NEAR is developing AI tools for blockchain applications. The NEAR.AI lab focuses on:

Decentralized AI models. Building AI models that operate on blockchain without a central authority.
AI-powered governance. Applying AI to streamline how DAOs are managed.
Smart contract automation. Allowing smart contracts to use AI for better decision-making.

3. NEAR Intents: AI-powered transactions

One of NEAR Protocol’s biggest AI features is NEAR Intents, which introduces AI-powered tools to handle blockchain transactions on their own. Without needing to approve every transaction yourself, you can automate tasks based on certain conditions, letting AI handle actions using rules you define.

For example, a DeFi trader can set an AI-powered bot to:

Automatically stake or unstake NEAR tokens depending on market conditions.
Track price changes and manage liquidity.
Execute trades without manual input.

This shows NEAR Protocol isn’t just experimenting with AI but actually using it in its blockchain network. But is it an AI-driven crypto, or does it simply use AI to enhance efficiency?

Is NEAR Protocol an AI coin?

Many ask, “Is NEAR Protocol an AI coin?” The answer is no — but it’s enhanced by AI. Unlike AI-focused cryptocurrencies like SingularityNET (AGIX) or Fetch.ai (FET), which are built entirely around artificial intelligence, NEAR Protocol is a general-purpose blockchain that uses AI to make processes smoother and more user-friendly.

NEAR wasn’t created just for AI applications. It’s designed to be a scalable, developer-friendly blockchain for hosting dApps, NFTs, and DeFi projects. However, its AI features set it apart from traditional blockchains.

While NEAR is not an AI crypto, it supports AI-based projects such as:

AI-powered smart contracts. Letting smart contracts respond to real-time data.
AI-assisted governance. Giving DAOs better insights for decisions.
AI-enhanced DeFi tools. Letting trading bots work directly on the blockchain.

These features make NEAR one of the blockchains most open to AI use.

AI-Powered projects on NEAR

Several projects take advantage of NEAR’s AI capabilities, including:

Cosmose AI. Uses NEAR for AI-driven commerce analytics.
AI-powered NFT platforms. Automate NFT creation and marketplace transactions.
Machine learning in dApps. Improving user interactions with AI.

While NEAR Protocol is not an AI coin, it helps automate tasks, improve decision-making, and develop decentralized AI tools.

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The future of NEAR Protocol in AI

The NEAR Protocol AI vision is expanding rapidly, with ambitious projects and strategic partnerships pushing its blockchain toward deeper AI integration. While it’s not an AI coin, its growing focus on artificial intelligence could make it a key player in decentralized AI infrastructure.

1. Developing a 1.4 trillion parameter AI model

NEAR is planning to build a massive open-source AI model with 1.4 trillion parameters — a scale comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4. The goal? To provide a decentralized alternative to centralized AI platforms, ensuring user control, transparency, and privacy.

2. Expanding AI-blockchain use cases

NEAR’s use of AI goes beyond smart contracts. The network is exploring:

Smart dApps that learn from users. Apps that change based on how people use them.
Automated DAOs for smoother governance. Automated systems that make DAOs run smoother.
Smarter fraud detection using automation. Helps catch risky transactions and improve security.

These innovations strengthen NEAR’s position as a blockchain for advanced applications.

3. Growing strategic partnerships

To push its vision for AI, NEAR is teaming up with AI-focused organizations and blockchain projects. These partnerships aim to:

Make smart contracts more efficient.
Help DeFi platforms work better with AI.
Improve digital identity checks with AI.

By merging blockchain with artificial intelligence, NEAR Protocol is shaping the future of AI-powered decentralized applications.

NEAR Protocol is quietly reshaping AI-powered blockchain automation

While many blockchain projects throw around AI as a marketing gimmick, NEAR Protocol is doing something different from the usual AI hype. Instead of just attaching AI to smart contracts, NEAR is building self-learning contracts that adapt over time. AI helps smart contracts learn from past transactions, reducing unnecessary fees and making apps run more smoothly. Unlike regular contracts that follow the same rules no matter what, these smart contracts change on the fly, adjusting based on how people actually use dApps. This could make the NEAR ecosystem one of the most user-friendly in blockchain.

Another game-changer is how NEAR is experimenting with AI-assisted DAOs. Most DAOs rely entirely on human voting, which can be slow and easily manipulated. NEAR is testing AI tools that help manage decisions by reviewing proposals and understanding community feedback. AI can even help improve how voting works, making sure everyone’s voice is heard fairly. This system helps decisions stay fair and based on facts, not emotions. If it works as planned, AI-powered governance could solve one of the biggest weaknesses in decentralized organizations — inefficient and biased decision-making.

Conclusion

NEAR Protocol is not an AI cryptocurrency, but it integrates AI-powered automation to enhance smart contracts, decentralized governance, and blockchain transactions. With features like NEAR Intents and AI-driven dApps, the network is shaping the future of blockchain automation. NEAR’s co-founder, Illia Polosukhin, played a key role in Google’s AI research, influencing the project’s AI-driven development. The network is actively expanding its AI capabilities, including a planned 1.4 trillion parameter AI model for decentralized AI applications. As AI and blockchain continue to merge, NEAR’s innovative approach makes it a strong contender for AI-enhanced Web3 solutions. Whether you're an investor or developer, NEAR’s AI-powered future is worth following.

FAQs

Is NEAR Protocol related to AI?

Yes, NEAR Protocol AI integration is growing. Its co-founder, Illia Polosukhin, was involved in Google's Transformer model, which powers AI like ChatGPT. NEAR supports AI-powered smart contracts, decentralized automation, and AI-enhanced DeFi applications.

Is NEAR an AI crypto?

No, NEAR Protocol is not an AI coin, but it enables AI-driven blockchain applications. It integrates AI to optimize transactions, automate governance, and enhance security. Projects like Cosmose AI use NEAR for AI-powered analytics.

What AI features does NEAR Protocol have?

NEAR offers AI-driven transactions (NEAR Intents), smart contract automation, and AI-powered governance. These features improve efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and enhance blockchain security.

What is the future of NEAR Protocol AI?

NEAR is working on a 1.4 trillion parameter AI model for decentralized AI. It aims to merge blockchain and AI to create a transparent, user-controlled AI ecosystem while supporting self-improving dApps, automated DAOs, and AI-powered DeFi tools.

Team that worked on the article

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke is a professional personal finance, Forex, crypto, blockchain, NFT, and Web3 writer and a contributor to the Traders Union website. As a computer science graduate with a robust background in programming, machine learning, and blockchain technology, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of software, technologies, cryptocurrency, and Forex trading.

Having skills in blockchain technology and over 7 years of experience in crafting technical articles on trading, software, and personal finance, he brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to the table. His skill set encompasses a diverse range of personal finance technologies and industries, making him a valuable asset to any team or project focused on innovative solutions, personal finance, and investing technologies.

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Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. He is also an educator in the field of finance and technology.

As an author for Traders Union, he contributes his deep analytical insights on various topics, taking into account various aspects.

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).

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