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Is NEAR Protocol Related To AI?

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Written by:
Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Dan Blystone
Reviewed by:
Dan Blystone
Chinmay Soni
Fact-checked by:
Chinmay Soni
Updated:
October 19, 2026

Editorial Note: While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for How We Make Money. None of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer.

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.

Month Minimum Price, $ Average Price, $ Maximum Price, $
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December 2026 7.6 7.8 8

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 ProtocolAI 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 AIThe 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

Parshwa Turakhiya
Parshwa Turakhiya Editorial Standards Specialist

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 inherently an AI coin, but its innovative integration of AI technologies sets it apart in the blockchain landscape. By leveraging AI to automate smart contract execution and streamline the development of decentralized applications, NEAR enhances both efficiency and user experience for developers and end-users alike. For example, NEAR’s support for AI-driven dApps and self-improving algorithms demonstrates how AI augments the platform’s core capabilities rather than defining them. Ultimately, NEAR’s marriage of AI and blockchain is a testament to the protocol’s commitment to real-world utility—proving that true innovation lies in synergy rather than simple categorization.

FAQs

How does NEAR Protocol use AI to improve smart contract functionality?

NEAR Protocol leverages AI to create self-learning smart contracts that can adapt based on past user activity and transaction patterns. This dynamic adjustment helps reduce unnecessary fees and makes decentralized applications run more smoothly, enhancing efficiency compared to static, rule-based contracts.

What is the significance of NEAR Intents in automating blockchain transactions with AI?

NEAR Intents is a feature that allows AI-powered automation of blockchain transactions. It enables users to set predefined rules, after which AI can handle actions such as staking, monitoring prices, and executing trades without requiring constant manual input, streamlining the user experience and reducing operational complexity.

In what ways does NEAR Protocol support the development of decentralized AI models and governance mechanisms?

NEAR Protocol facilitates the creation of decentralized AI models that operate on blockchain infrastructure, ensuring there is no central authority controlling them. Additionally, it applies AI-powered governance tools to automate decision-making processes within DAOs, making them more efficient and fact-driven.

How are user interactions within dApps on NEAR Protocol enhanced by AI?

AI on NEAR Protocol enables decentralized applications to learn from user behavior, allowing these dApps to adapt their functionality over time. This adaptability leads to more personalized, intuitive experiences and helps applications provide smarter responses and recommendations to users.

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Team that worked on the article

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Contributor

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.

Learn about our editorial policies
Dan Blystone
Dan Blystone
Contributor

Dan Blystone began his trading career in 1998 as an arbitrage clerk on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). He later traded bond and Eurex futures at proprietary firms such as Altea Trading, gaining valuable experience in high-frequency trading and risk management.

Chinmay Soni
Chinmay Soni
Head of Fact-Checking Department

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.

Glossary for novice traders
Leverage

Forex leverage is a tool enabling traders to control larger positions with a relatively small amount of capital, amplifying potential profits and losses based on the chosen leverage ratio.

Investor

An investor is an individual, who invests money in an asset with the expectation that its value would appreciate in the future. The asset can be anything, including a bond, debenture, mutual fund, equity, gold, silver, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real-estate property.

Ethereum

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform and cryptocurrency that was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and development began in early 2014. It was designed as a versatile platform for creating decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.

Forex Trading

Forex trading, short for foreign exchange trading, is the practice of buying and selling currencies in the global foreign exchange market with the aim of profiting from fluctuations in exchange rates. Traders speculate on whether one currency will rise or fall in value relative to another currency and make trading decisions accordingly. However, beware that trading carries risks, and you can lose your whole capital.

Index

Index in trading is the measure of the performance of a group of stocks, which can include the assets and securities in it.

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