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Throughout history, different generations have ventured toward new frontiers. For some intrepid pioneers, the frontier promised adventure, riches, or self-actualization. For others, it represented an opportunity to build something entirely new—to establish communities, create new systems of governance, and shape the future on their own terms. Today, in 2025, we stand at the edge of a new digital frontier, where decentralized autonomous organizations are reimagining how humans work together across borders, time zones, and traditional boundaries.
The emergence of blockchain technology has sparked a digital gold rush, with DAOs leading the charge. As a co-founder of Gitcoin, a DAO that funds what matters to everyday citizens, I’ve watched these digital pioneers reshape how we think about organizations, governance, and value creation.
Think of DAOs as digital communities with shared bank accounts and decision-making powers. Unlike traditional companies, where decisions flow from top to bottom, DAOs use the internet’s borderless nature to bring together diverse people from around the world. Together, they make decisions, allocate resources, and work toward common goals with unprecedented transparency and inclusivity.
The pioneering spirit that draws people to DAOs varies widely. Some join these digital homesteads to forge new friendships, while others seek fortune on the bleeding edge of technology. DAOs can be as simple as a shared digital wallet between friends or as complex as a venture-scale startup redefining how we work.
As this frontier matures, new tools emerge daily. What began as rudimentary experiments has evolved into sophisticated systems. Modern DAOs use tools like Snapshot and Tally for voting, similar to how early American colonies developed their own governance systems. Platforms like Gnosis Safe have expanded what’s possible, enabling these digital communities to manage shared resources and execute complex decisions collectively.
DAOs and AI
The latest frontier belongs to artificial intelligence. AI agents—think of them as digital homesteaders—are joining DAOs, bringing new ways to automate tasks and improve coordination. These agents can summarize meetings, relay information between groups, and measure the impact of contributors’ work. Projects like ai16z, who I recently hosted on the GreenPill podcast, are creating AI agents that can hold digital assets and interact with humans, much like trading posts in historical frontiers facilitated exchange.
As AI agents become more sophisticated, they’re taking on increasingly complex tasks within DAOs. From analyzing large datasets and summarizing proposals to predicting vote outcomes, these digital citizens are enhancing how DAOs operate. The integration of AI is particularly promising for on-chain capital allocation, where agents can measure impact and automatically reward contributors for the value they create in their communities.
Imagine a future where you simply do valuable work, and an AI agent in a DAO automatically recognizes and rewards your contribution. This vision is bringing new meaning to the “autonomous” in DAO as AI systems become more capable of independently managing budgets, making decisions, and even hiring humans to complete tasks. With these agents in place, DAOs are evolving into truly autonomous organizations that can operate continuously and efficiently.
However, this frontier technology must be balanced with human wisdom. While AI can enhance efficiency and automation, humans remain essential for guiding long-term direction and making ethical choices. The future of DAOs will be a careful collaboration between human judgment and AI capabilities, working together to create a more decentralized and equitable world—one where technology amplifies rather than diminishes human agency.
Join the frontier
DAOs represent a fundamental shift in how we organize, collaborate, and create value. They offer a glimpse into a future where decentralized, autonomous, and transparent organizations are the norm. Here at the frontier of the internet, DAO evolution continues.
In my recent co-authored work, How to DAO: Mastering the Future of Internet Coordination, we delve into the intricacies of DAO creation, governance, and operation, providing a roadmap for those seeking to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
Four years ago, back in 2021, I wrote an op-ed on DAOs for another publication stating that DAOs represent the next frontier in human coordination. That is still and even more true today in 2025. If you are not already involved in a DAO, find one, find your community, read How to DAO (if you’re looking for a resource), and help usher in this new frontier for human collaboration, value creation, and collective prosperity. It’s how you can do the work you value and get paid for it. It’s how you can create an impact around you. It’s How to DAO.
