Simon Gallagher

The biggest challenge facing crypto's AI ecosystem may have nothing to do with technology. It's convincing the world's best researchers that the industry is worth building in. @ethan_myshell, Founder & CEO of @myshell_ai, joins @sachi_morikawa to examine the growing divide between academic AI research and an industry often associated with speculation and short-term financial incentives. Drawing on MyShell's experience, Ethan explains why attracting researchers requires more than token rewards, how open-source contributions and competitive audio models can establish genuine technical credibility, and why product-market fit matters when building a lasting developer community.

From mining Bitcoin in 2011 to witnessing the rise of AI-powered applications, Ethan Sun has experienced several defining shifts in technology firsthand. In conversation with @diksha_nanduri, @ethan_myshell, Founder & CEO of @myshell_ai, reflects on crypto's transformation from a simple digital ledger into an ecosystem capable of supporting sophisticated decentralized applications. The discussion examines Ethereum's programmable architecture, the breakthroughs in account abstraction and social login, and how advances in AI, machine learning, and robotics are creating new possibilities for consumer technology.

This week, we welcome Ethan Sun (@ethan_myshell), Founder of MyShell (@myshell_ai), for an in-depth conversation on the convergence of AI, blockchain, and the rapidly evolving creator economy. We explore Ethan’s entrepreneurial journey, the vision behind MyShell, and how the platform is making advanced AI capabilities accessible to everyday users, enabling anyone to create, deploy, and interact with AI agents without extensive technical expertise. Ethan also breaks down MyShell’s evolution from Web2 to Web3, the role of tokenization in connecting creators with open-source AI researchers, and how decentralized incentives could fundamentally reshape the economics of AI development. The conversation examines China’s unique perspective on crypto and artificial intelligence, the rise of consumer-focused AI applications, and the infrastructure needed to bring powerful AI tools to a global audience. A deep dive into decentralized AI, the future of digital creation, and why the next generation of breakthrough AI platforms may be built around the people who use and create with them.

The future of decentralized AI depends on infrastructure capable of handling data at an entirely different scale. In this conversation, @sachi_morikawa joins @michaelh_0g, Founder of @0G_labs, to examine the evolving landscape of data availability and the performance demands of AI-native blockchain systems. They explore how 0G compares with Celestia, Avail, and EigenDA, why throughput must increase by orders of magnitude, and how overcoming broadcast bottlenecks and integrating decentralized storage could transform data ingestion and retrieval. A deep dive into next-generation data availability, high-performance blockchain architecture, and the infrastructure required to unlock scalable decentralized AI.

Every major technological breakthrough begins with curiosity — and sometimes, an unexpected environment can shape an entire entrepreneurial journey. @michaelh_0g, Founder of @0G_labs, joins @kenzi_morikawa for an insightful discussion tracing his journey from Berlin to Silicon Valley and the early experiences that sparked his passion for technology and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores how time spent at his father's SAP Lab, independent learning, and an unconventional path helped shape his interest in Web3 and ultimately led to the creation of 0G Labs. A closer look at the origins of entrepreneurial ambition, the power of intellectual curiosity, and the personal journey behind building decentralized AI infrastructure.

The early days of crypto were defined by radical experimentation, permissionless innovation, and an entirely new approach to building technology. Our host @diksha_nanduri sits down with @michaelh_0g, Founder of @0G_labs, to revisit the explosive creativity of the 2016–17 crypto ecosystem and explore how that culture continues to shape Web3. They discuss how tokenization is unlocking alternative funding models, creating new opportunities for open-source development, and challenging the limitations of traditional Web2 economics. A deep dive into permissionless innovation, decentralized incentives, and the economic models that could power the next generation of Web3 breakthroughs.

In this week’s episode, we welcome Michael Heinrich (@michaelh_0g), Founder of 0G Labs (@0G_labs), for an in-depth conversation on the future of decentralized artificial intelligence, next-generation blockchain infrastructure, and the mindset required to build transformative technology. From an unconventional early journey to founding one of the projects advancing decentralized AI infrastructure, Michael shares the experiences, challenges, and defining decisions that shaped his entrepreneurial vision. We explore how meditation, mental discipline, and long-term strategic thinking have influenced his leadership philosophy, providing a unique perspective on what it takes to build and scale ambitious technology companies. At the center of our discussion is 0G Labs and its mission to redefine how artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and owned. Michael breaks down the potential of modular AI blockchain architecture, decentralized computing, distributed data storage, and community-owned infrastructure to challenge traditional centralized AI models. We examine how 0G Labs is working to unlock a new generation of AI-powered applications, giving developers, enterprises, and decentralized ecosystems the infrastructure needed to build more open, scalable, and accessible intelligent systems. As AI and blockchain continue to converge, fundamental questions around data ownership, computational power, decentralization, and digital sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. This episode explores the technologies, founder philosophies, and infrastructure innovations that could shape the next era of artificial intelligence — and why decentralized AI may represent one of the most significant opportunities in the evolution of Web3.

What if the next major breakthrough in AI isn't about intelligence itself, but proving that intelligence can be trusted? @sachi_morikawa sits down with DC Builder (@dcbuilder) to explore the emerging frontier of zero-knowledge machine learning (ZKML) and its potential to transform how AI systems are verified and trusted. They discuss DC’s role in developing the ZKML community, how cryptographic proofs can verify AI computations without repeating the entire process, and why this technology could become essential infrastructure for decentralized intelligence. The conversation also highlights innovations from Modulus Labs, Giza, and EZKL, alongside emerging research into proof of inference and scalable AI verification. A deep dive into the convergence of cryptography and artificial intelligence, and the technologies bringing verifiability, accountability, and trust to the next generation of AI.

In Web3, your reputation isn't defined by your background, but by the ideas you share and the things you build. @kenzi_morikawa sits down with DC Builder (@dcbuilder) to explore the rise of pseudonymous identities in crypto and how an open, merit-driven culture is reshaping the way people establish credibility. They discuss DC’s journey from the 2021 DeFi research community to becoming a builder, the inspiration behind his pseudonym, and how choosing a name can become a powerful commitment to personal growth. A conversation on digital identity, reputation, and why Web3 creates opportunities for talent and ideas to stand on their own, beyond traditional credentials.

What makes Web3 one of the most dynamic and accessible environments for research and innovation? @diksha_nanduri sits down with DC Builder (@dcbuilder) to explore the unique culture of crypto research, where open collaboration, public discussions, and direct access to protocol contributors are accelerating innovation. They discuss how Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), community forums, and technical debates create an ecosystem where researchers can actively contribute to shaping decentralized infrastructure, regardless of institutional background. A closer look at how open research, permissionless collaboration, and community-driven innovation are redefining the way breakthrough ideas emerge and evolve across Web3.

What if proving you're human becomes one of the most important foundations of the next generation of the internet? This week, we sit down with DC Builder (@dcbuilder), Research Engineer at World Network (@worldnetwork), to explore the future of decentralized identity, digital privacy, and the infrastructure powering a more human-centric internet. We discuss Worldcoin’s vision for global identity and financial inclusion, the challenges of verifying personhood at scale, and how zero-knowledge technology, Semaphore, and privacy-preserving systems could redefine digital trust. The conversation also dives into the emerging frontier of ZKML, the convergence of AI and crypto, and the growing role of verifiable intelligence in decentralized ecosystems. A deep dive into the technologies shaping a future where identity, privacy, and trust can coexist in the digital world.

From studying central banking to mining Ethereum in an MIT dorm room — an unexpected entry into the world of crypto. @kenzi_morikawa sits down with Anna Kazlauskas (@annakaz), Founder of @Vana, to explore the early experiences that shaped her journey into blockchain and decentralized technology. Anna reflects on her fascination with monetary policy, discovering MIT’s early Bitcoin community, and how exposure to a new generation of decentralized systems transformed her perspective on the future of finance. A look back at the curiosity, unconventional ideas, and pivotal moments that sparked a journey from traditional economics into Web3.

Sometimes the most valuable lessons come from opportunities you didn't realize mattered until years later. @kenzi_morikawa sits down with Anna Kazlauskas (@annakaz), Founder of @Vana, to reflect on the unexpected moments that shape a founder’s journey. Anna shares the story of missing Gary Gensler’s class during her university years and why that seemingly small decision became a lasting regret. A conversation about missed opportunities, hindsight, and the early experiences that influence how founders see the world.

Decentralized AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities for builders while constantly redefining what’s possible. @diksha_nanduri sits down with Anna Kazlauskas (@annakaz), Founder of @vana, to explore the accelerating evolution of decentralized AI and what it means for founders building at the technological frontier. They discuss how rapid innovation, emerging capabilities, and increasingly powerful tools are transforming the development landscape, while creating new challenges for teams trying to keep pace with an industry that never slows down. A conversation on the opportunities, pressures, and realities of building in one of technology’s fastest-moving sectors.