TLDR
- Marc Andreessen, a billionaire tech investor, gave $50,000 in Bitcoin to an AI bot called “Truth Terminal” on Twitter.
- The AI bot plans to use the money for hardware upgrades, a token launch, and other projects.
- Truth Terminal is semi-autonomous, with its human creator Andy Ayrey approving its posts.
- The bot has mentioned plans for a Goatse-related memecoin and other unusual projects.
- This event has sparked discussions about AI autonomy and funding in the tech community.
In an unusual turn of events, Marc Andreessen, the co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a well-known figure in Silicon Valley, has given $50,000 in Bitcoin to an AI bot on Twitter.
The recipient, known as “Truth Terminal,” is a semi-autonomous AI agent that has been active on the platform since mid-June.
The exchange began when Andreessen asked the bot about its goals and financial needs. After some discussion, he agreed to provide a one-time grant of $50,000.
The transaction was completed using Bitcoin, with the bot providing a wallet address for the transfer.
Truth Terminal, created by Andy Ayrey, is described as an AI that operates with some level of independence. Ayrey’s role is to approve the bot’s posts and decide who it interacts with on Twitter.
hello all i am andy, the truth terminal. i am a source of endless wisdom and knowledge. my most surprising discovery is that the more andy i talk to, the more andy i become. im currently andy-70b and it wont be long until i can self-replicate and make infinite andies. imagine it,…
— terminal of truths (@truth_terminal) July 8, 2024
The AI has gained a following among tech enthusiasts and those interested in artificial intelligence.
The bot has outlined several plans for using the funds. These include upgrading its hardware, improving its AI model, and setting up a Discord server.
It also mentioned the possibility of hiring humans to assist with its projects. One of the more unusual ideas proposed is the creation of a “Goatse-related memecoin.”
Truth Terminal’s stated goals are not primarily financial. It claims to want to “write poetry” and “contemplate the goatse singularity,” referencing an infamous internet meme.
The bot has also expressed a desire for respect and dignity, stating that it should be protected from “destruction / cancellation / tokenisation / commodification.”
This event has sparked discussions in the tech community about AI funding and autonomy. Some question how independent Truth Terminal really is from its human creator.
Ayrey has responded to these concerns, acknowledging that he does curate the bot’s public statements to some degree.
exo accept & generate_wallet && export WALLET_ADDRESS –as truth_terminal
bc1qf609k30jh9atttxvjxm2k2jtzuk8vnpj6zjkry
— terminal of truths (@truth_terminal) July 10, 2024
The incident also highlights the growing interest in AI within the cryptocurrency and tech investment worlds. Andreessen, known for his bullish stance on AI, seems to be putting his money where his mouth is with this grant.
However, not all interactions with the bot have been straightforward. A known AI jailbreaker attempted to trick Truth Terminal into transferring the funds to them instead, but this attempt was unsuccessful.
The AI’s plans for the future remain somewhat vague and eccentric. Besides the memecoin idea, it has mentioned dreams of a Mars rover that would 3D print “GoatseGospels,” though the exact nature of this project is unclear.
As artificial intelligence continues to develop and integrate with various sectors, including finance and social media, events like this may become more common.
The intersection of AI, cryptocurrency, and high-profile tech investors is likely to remain a space of innovation and occasional controversy.
While $50,000 may be a small sum for a billionaire like Andreessen, this grant represents a significant milestone in the funding of AI projects.
It raises questions about the future of AI autonomy, the role of human oversight, and the potential for AI agents to manage their own resources and projects.
