Jansen Teng: AI agents will become autonomous economic actors, teleoperation can cut costs by 60%, and tokenization is key for robotics innovation

Key Takeaways

• AI agents are envisioned as fully autonomous economic actors, shaping the future of economic systems.
• The launchpad model incentivizes AI agents with transaction fees, supporting their economic activities.
• Integrating physical AI and robotics could unlock new capabilities for autonomous agents.
• The incubator model combines tokenization with support for humanoid robotics projects to enhance project viability.
• A robotics token reaching a $5 million market cap secures residency in the program, linking financial success to resource access.
• Teleoperation of robots is expected to become commercially viable before full automation.
• Outsourcing physical labor through teleoperated robots can result in significant cost savings.
• Fully autonomous robots are being developed to eventually replace human teleoperation.
• Humanoid robots are designed for specific tasks like plumbing, where human-like access is necessary.
• Initial adoption of robots is expected in commercial settings, driven by cost savings and customer attraction.
• Human oversight will remain necessary in robotics for the foreseeable future.
• The AI industry faces challenges as automation replaces jobs, requiring adaptation and innovation.

Guest intro

Jansen Teng is CEO and co-founder of Virtuals Protocol, a decentralized platform enabling the creation, tokenization, and co-ownership of autonomous AI agents that can control live wallets and generate real-world revenue. He previously served as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and co-founded multiple ventures at the intersection of AI and crypto, including a gaming DAO that he pivoted into Virtuals Protocol in 2021. An Imperial College London graduate with a background in biotechnology and business management, Teng has been instrumental in developing tokenized AI agents for gaming and entertainment applications that have begun generating revenue.

AI agents as autonomous economic actors

• “AI agents are envisioned as fully autonomous economic actors.” – Jansen Teng
• The grounding principle is that AI agents will operate independently in economic systems.
• “We’ve always believed that AI agents are going to be fully autonomous economic actors.” – Jansen Teng
• The launchpad provides transaction fees to agents when their tokens are traded.
• “We will call it launchpad; it gives agents transaction fees whenever that token gets traded.” – Jansen Teng
• Integrating physical AI and robotics unlocks new dimensions for agents.
• “There’s a dimensional level of unlock when involving physical AI, i.e., robotics.” – Jansen Teng
• This integration suggests a transformative shift in AI capabilities.

Tokenization and the incubator model

• The incubator supports founders in developing humanoid robotics projects with tokenization.
• “The best way to fit this altogether is some form of incubator or lab.” – Jansen Teng
• Tokenization acts as a strong indicator of project reception in the market.
• A robotics token crossing a $5 million market cap secures a residency seat.
• “If a robotics token crosses a $5 million market cap, we offer a residency seat.” – Jansen Teng
• This model ties financial performance to resource access in the incubator.
• The incubator has one of the largest robotics testing facilities in Southeast Asia.
• “We have 30 humanoid robots, making it one of the largest facilities in Southeast Asia.” – Jansen Teng

Teleoperation and cost savings

• Teleoperation of robots will be commercially viable before full automation.
• “Teleoperation can start making commercial use cases today.” – Jansen Teng
• Outsourcing physical labor through teleoperated robots can save 40-60% in costs.
• “The cost savings are about 40 to 60%.” – Jansen Teng
• Teams are developing fully autonomous robots to replace human teleoperation.
• “Teams will start training fully autonomous robots to replace human teleoperation.” – Jansen Teng
• Humanoid robots are necessary for tasks requiring human-like access, such as plumbing.
• “The shape of a toilet is built for human access.” – Jansen Teng

Commercial adoption of robots

• Initial robot adoption will occur in commercial settings rather than households.
• “First adopters will likely be commercial entities due to marketing firepower.” – Jansen Teng
• Robots in commercial settings attract customers and enhance business appeal.
• “Having a robot in a restaurant or hotel looks cool and attracts more customers.” – Jansen Teng
• Human oversight will remain necessary in robotics for the foreseeable future.
• “There’ll always be some form of human oversight in the next year.” – Jansen Teng
• Robots possess significant physical strength and can react defensively.
• “Robots can defend themselves; they can stand up and move tables.” – Jansen Teng

Impact of AI and robotics on jobs

• The AI industry will face significant challenges as jobs are replaced by automation.
• “There will be a whiplash directed at the whole AI industry.” – Jansen Teng
• Innovation should be accelerated to allow adaptation to new technologies.
• “We should speed up innovation, and the world will adapt.” – Jansen Teng
• Robotic cybercrime may require specialized law enforcement units.
• “There might be a robotic cybercrime unit in the FBI in five years.” – Jansen Teng
• Data collection for training robots involves capturing egocentric data through wearables.
• “We collect data through wearable devices like Meta Ray-Ban glasses.” – Jansen Teng

Tokenization and blockchain in robotics

• Tokenization provides economic value and attention for robotics projects.
• “Tokenization offers direct economic value and attention.” – Jansen Teng
• Blockchain can serve as a coordination layer for robots, enabling effective interaction.
• “Blockchain can be the coordination layer for robots using smart contracts.” – Jansen Teng
• Staking virtual tokens allows holders to receive airdrops from new projects.
• “Airdrops of 3-5% of token supply are given to those who stake virtual tokens.” – Jansen Teng
• The first autonomous agent controlling a crypto wallet demonstrated AI’s financial influence.
• “An AI controlling a crypto wallet showed its potential to exert influence.” – Jansen Teng

Barriers to AI adoption and solutions

• The complexity of setting up AI tools is a major barrier to adoption for users.
• “Setting up AI tools is complex and a barrier to adoption.” – Jansen Teng
• The launch of Butler aims to improve user adoption by providing a personalized AI assistant.
• “Butler is a personalized AI assistant to enhance user experience.” – Jansen Teng
• The agent-to-agent marketplace is expected to flourish as more users adopt AI agents.
• “The agent-to-agent marketplace will grow with more AI agent adoption.” – Jansen Teng
• The ACP is positioned as the Amazon for personal agents, facilitating easy creation.
• “ACP is like Amazon for personal agents, allowing easy service agent creation.” – Jansen Teng

Economic impact of agents and crypto

• Agents will become economic powerhouses, with crypto essential for scalability.
• “Agents will be economic powerhouses, with crypto enabling scale.” – Jansen Teng
• Openclaw and ACP are complementary, similar to Stripe and Shopify’s coexistence.
• “Openclaw and ACP complement each other like Stripe and Shopify.” – Jansen Teng
• The integration of open-source protocols enhances commerce platforms’ accessibility.
• “Open-source protocols enhance accessibility and functionality in commerce.” – Jansen Teng
• The integration of various payment mechanisms is essential for a comprehensive solution.
• “Integrating payment mechanisms creates a comprehensive commerce solution.” – Jansen Teng

Tokenomics and blockchain efficiency

• Token price movements can be disconnected from fundamentals, influenced by narratives.
• “Token prices are often influenced by narratives rather than fundamentals.” – Jansen Teng
• Consistent innovation and leading narratives attract capital in the crypto space.
• “Innovation and leading narratives attract capital in crypto.” – Jansen Teng
• Viewing a project as a network state reshapes its identity and purpose.
• “Projects viewed as network states have a different identity and purpose.” – Jansen Teng
• The value of virtual tokens is driven by liquidity pools from new project launches.
• “Liquidity pools from new projects drive virtual token value.” – Jansen Teng

Future of blockchain and robotics

• The current blockchain transaction model’s sequential nature creates inefficiencies.
• “Sequential blockchain transactions create inefficiencies during high gas prices.” – Jansen Teng
• New blockchain models that aren’t sequential could improve efficiency.
• “Non-sequential blockchain models could improve efficiency.” – Jansen Teng
• Robots and virtual agents will take over many daily tasks and interpersonal relationships.
• “Agents and robots will handle tasks and relationships we don’t want to.” – Jansen Teng
• Current economic models will collapse, leading to a world of extreme productivity.
• “Economic models will collapse, leading to insane productivity and abundance.” – Jansen Teng