X Space Event Record - Is AO an Ethereum Killer, and How Will It Drive the New Narrative of Blockchain?
Summary: Following the AO launch, the Arweave ecosystem has once again become the center of attention. PermaDAO invited Arweave researchers to discuss the concept, design, and user experience of AO. The focus is on the new opportunities AO brings to developers and the entire blockchain industry, as well as the new narrative AO offers to the crypto.
Author: Jomosis @ Contributor of PermaDAO
Translator: Jomosis @ Contributor of PermaDAO
Reviewer: Marshal Orange @ Contributor of PermaDAO
In the rapidly evolving digital world, since its inception in 2018, Arweave has quietly secured its place in the blockchain arena with its unique concept of decentralized storage. Over the span of five years, the name Arweave has been on the lips of technology enthusiasts, yet its profound technical features have also made it seem both familiar and unfamiliar. Now, with the emergence of AO, this ecosystem has once again become a focal point of attention, sparking a series of curiosity and questions.
To satisfy the curiosity of the public, PermaDAO initiated an X Space event which broke new ground, inviting a lineup of heavyweight guests to discuss whether AO could become the "killer" of Ethereum.
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It’s an honor to invite one of the initiators of AO and the proposer of the SCP paradigm, Xiong Wei @outprog_ar, the evangelist of AO and co-founder of ChainFeeds, Pan Zhixiong @nake13, the founder of ArweaveOasis, Gerry Won @GerryWon, and Hill @Hill79025920, the Head of Research at SevenX who has long been following the Arweave track. They will lead us through a review of Arweave's technical development history since its inception, enhancing our in-depth understanding of this pioneer in decentralized storage. Let's together unveil the mystery of AO and explore how it can further propel the development of the new narrative in blockchain.
What’s the AO computer?
Zhixiong Pan, “AO is a standardized protocol for data processing and information communication.”
Arweave and Ethereum were designed with different intentions. Ethereum was created for computation, while Arweave focused on storage. However, the founder Sam had been exploring a different approach initially to realize a world computer, which led to the birth of AO. AO is not a computer, nor is it an independent network. AO is a data protocol based on Arweave that sets standards for data processing and information communication. As long as the logs of data computation are stored on Arweave, a world computer can be run on Arweave, and tasks on it can be operated in parallel. For example, the SCP paradigm becomes AO after abstraction and standardization.
Gerry Wang, “AO completes the Arweave with computation.”
The hierarchical structure of AO can be compared with the structure of the SCP paradigm. Arweave serves as the sharing layer of information for AO, with programs running on AO sharing the data on Arweave, and ultimately achieves the goal of creating a decentralized world computer. Traditional blockchain projects are squeezed onto a monolithic blockchain, queuing up to run. In contrast, AO builds a computational layer on top of Arweave that can run processes in parallel, solving the scalability issue and opening up the space for imagination. AO transforms Arweave from a blockchain that can only store data into one with parallel computing capabilities.
Hill, ”AO is the enhanced inscription.”
Considering valuation, the value captured by GPUs is substantial, and moving towards computation is beneficial for Arweave. From the perspective of users and investors, Arweave is akin to the enhanced inscription. On Bitcoin network, due to storage limitations, users can only perform relatively simple operations such as minting, deploying, and transferring assets, with most computations being carried out by indexers off the chain. Indexers have no incentive to act maliciously because users can verify the computation process and results by switching indexers or running their own. On Arweave, with its storage capacity far exceeding that of Bitcoin, developers can build a more complex and powerful computational layer. AO is built based on this concept, allowing all computation instructions and intermediate state results to be stored on Arweave, thus achieving computational capabilities similar to Bitcoin's inscriptions, but more powerful and flexible.
Outprog, “The AO protocol enables effective information exchange and collaboration between different applications, providing an open platform with infinite possibilities.”
The core of AO is an information protocol that allows communication between different applications running on Arweave. Each application can send request information to the AO network, such as inquiring about the balance of a particular account. The application that receives the request will perform its consensus computation and send the result back to the requester through the AO network. In this way, different applications can use the AO network to perform composite computations and exchange information across chains.
This communication protocol of AO is not limited to blockchain applications; it can also allow traditional Web2 applications to participate in this decentralized network by integrating the AO protocol interface. This means that both Web2 and Web3 applications can use the AO computer for reliable message authentication and collaboration.
The vision of the AO computer is to break down the barriers between Web2 and Web3, enabling developers to use Web2 methods to develop decentralized applications or directly bridge and communicate information between Web2 and Web3 applications. The design of this communication protocol makes the AO computer an open platform, supporting interoperability between various applications and providing developers with endless possibilities.
What are the architectural differences between the AO computer and Ethereum's EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine)?
Zhixiong Pan:
Focus of Architectural Design: AO focuses on storage, EVM focuses more on computation
AO Computer: Focuses on permanent data storage, which provides a vast, immutable storage space, similar to the tape of a Turing machine, for storing and executing computations.
Ethereum EVM: Focuses on computational power, which provides an environment for executing smart contracts, initially designed to achieve Turing completeness for complex computational tasks.
Computation Model: AO can independently run computation tasks on different nodes, EVM requires all nodes to perform the same computation tasks
AO Computer: Based on distributed storage and parallel computation, it supports independent computation tasks running on different nodes, communicating and collaborating through the AO network.
Ethereum EVM: Using a centralized computation model, where all nodes must perform the same computation process to verify transactions and smart contracts, leading to computational redundancy.
Consensus Mechanism: AO maintains consensus with data, EVM achieves consensus through competition or stake
AO Computer: Using a Hash Chain consensus mechanism, where the amount of data stored by miners becomes the biggest contributing factor to mining performance, it focuses on data accessibility and storage persistence.
Ethereum EVM: Operated under PoW (Proof of Work) or PoS (Proof of Stake) consensus mechanisms, it focuses on achieving network consensus through competition or stake.
Computation Logic: AO can define its own computation logic, while EVM can only follow predefined operational logic
AO Computer: The execution of smart contracts is closely related to data storage, and computation logic can be customized according to application needs, with higher flexibility at the storage level.
Ethereum EVM: Smart contract execution follows predefined operation codes, which are executed in the same way on all nodes to ensure consistency of the network state.
Outprog:
Architecture of Ethereum's EVM:
The design of Ethereum's EVM is initially based on an extension of Bitcoin's script, aiming to achieve Turing-complete computational capabilities. Ethereum makes it easier to implement state changes and computations by replacing the UTXO model with the Account-Based model.
Computational Redundancy Issue:
Ethereum has a very high computational redundancy because every transaction needs to be recalculated on thousands of nodes across the network, leading to a significant waste of resources. This is also one of the reasons why Ethereum struggles to break through performance limitations, as it is essentially a single-threaded machine.
Architecture of the AO Computer:
The architecture of the AO Computer is completely different from that of Ethereum's EVM. The AO Computer is based on Arweave, which is a distributed, immutable storage system. In the AO Computer, computational resources are decentralized, allowing multiple independent nodes to perform calculations, each independently processing data sets and performing computations.
Parallel Computing and Collaboration:
The AO Computer allows different nodes to compute independently and collaborate as needed. This parallel computing model enables the AO Computer to handle more complex tasks and improves the overall network performance.
Concurrency Model of the AO Computer:
The architecture of the AO Computer supports concurrent processing, which contrasts with the single-threaded computation model of Ethereum's EVM. The concurrency model of the AO Computer is similar to the actor model in the Erlang language, achieving concurrency through message passing between different processes.
Practicality of the AO Computer:
The design of the AO Computer is pragmatic; it is not just a theoretical concept but has been implemented and can be used in practice. The release and application of the AO Computer demonstrate its practicality and complement to existing blockchain technology.
Gerry Wang:
Pursuit of Long-term Goals:
The Arweave team is focused on achieving its long-term goals, even if these goals may not immediately attract public attention. They continuously update and iterate on the consensus mechanism to ensure the stability and efficiency of the network.
Iterative Improvement of Consensus Mechanism:
Arweave has gone through at least four iterations of its consensus mechanism, each aimed at reducing computational competition and increasing the efficiency of data replication and storage. This iterative process demonstrates the Arweave team's attention to technical details and their ongoing optimization of network performance.
For more information, refer to "Understanding the Evolution of Arweave's Consensus Mechanism."
Pragmatic Development Attitude:
The Arweave team tends to adopt mature and proven solutions in the development process, such as the actor model. They do not seek short-term hype but are dedicated to building an optimal system, reflecting their emphasis on practicality and stability.
Low-profile and Single-minded Work Style:
The Arweave team may not frequently appear in public view, but they are quietly and persistently working on development behind the scenes. Their low-profile work style and serious attitude towards iteration of versions contribute to the stable development of the Arweave ecosystem.
Integration of Existing Solutions:
When building its system, Arweave integrates existing solutions, such as the actor model, to ensure the efficient operation of the system. This integration strategy helps Arweave quickly achieve its goals while maintaining the stability and reliability of the system.
How was the user experience after the release of AO?
Outprog:
Access Challenges:
Users may encounter network issues when trying to connect to the AO computer, which could be due to improper VPN settings or other network connection problems.
Since AO is currently in the testing phase, there may be some bugs and system issues that could affect users' access to the test network.
Access Methods:
Users can learn how to connect to the AO computer through online tutorials and demonstrations. For example, Sam and Tom provided detailed guidance at the launch event, showing how to use NPM and the Arweave gateway to download and run the original program.
Tutorial demonstration link: https://twitter.com/aoTheComputer/status/1763702970040856833
b. Users need to establish the corresponding Connector or Process, which is a key component for communication with the AO network.
User Experience:
For developers, following the tutorials and demonstrations allows them to gradually experience the entire process of the AO computer under good network conditions.
Even for non-developers, watching the demonstrations can provide a clear understanding of the working principles and operational processes of the AO computer.
Usability:
The design of the AO computer seems to aim at providing a straightforward experience, even during the testing phase, encouraging users to try and explore.
What is the connection between the tokens $AO and $AR? What kind of incentive mechanisms will AO have in the future?
Outprog:
Token Separation: The AO token and the AR token are functionally separated. The AO token focuses on solving communication issues between applications, while the AR token focuses on Arweave's storage functionality. This separation is similar to the division of labor in the real world, where each token has its specific role and responsibilities.
Design Principles of AO Token: The design of the AO token will be based on practical observations and the actual operation of the test network. Sam Williams (the founder of Arweave) will weigh and design the AO token according to these actual conditions to ensure it effectively serves the needs of the network.
Focus of AR Token: The goal of the AR token is to support Arweave's permanent storage capability. Sam is not interested in other functions such as staking or DeFi; his main goal is to ensure that Arweave can achieve permanent data storage.
Practicality of Tokens: The design of the AO token will follow the principle of optimality to support the communication needs of a global, distributed, decentralized computer. This design philosophy emphasizes the practicality and efficiency of the token within the network.
Pragmatic Attitude towards Tokens: From a pragmatic perspective, the division of labor among tokens is necessary. Attempting to solve all problems (such as computation and storage) with a single token would be costly, while separating token functions allows for more effective achievement of individual goals.
Gerry Wang:
Token Positioning: The AR token is considered as a more professional and rigorous asset, and its design and use will follow strict standards. The AO token is relatively more flexible, with its specific definition and mechanism not yet clearly defined, requiring further observation and formulation.
Miners' Incentive Issues:
a. The number of miner nodes in the Arweave network is limited, and miners have a clear demand for profits. Without sufficient incentives, miners may turn to other mining activities which are more profitable.
b. Arweave has established a treasury mechanism called endowment, which automatically stores a portion of the mining rewards in the treasury and gradually releases them to miners over time to ensure long-term data storage.
Challenges of Incentive Mechanism:
a. The current incentive mechanism may lack appeal to miners seeking immediate profits, which could affect the stability and long-term development of the network.
b. The AO token may explore new incentive methods to increase miners' enthusiasm, thereby strengthening the foundation of the entire network.
Future Outlook:
a. If an effective incentive mechanism can be designed to allow miners to benefit from the AO token, it would be an excellent system design.
b. At present, these issues and potential solutions are still under observation and resolution, requiring further exploration and practice.
Based on the Arweave team's style, the guest speakers speculate that there might be an airdrop for early Arweave ecosystem users, or it might require burning AR tokens in exchange for AO. The specific details are still awaiting an official announcement from the Arweave team.
How can developers integrate with AO? What kind of projects are suitable for integration with AO?
Outprog:
The way to integrate with AO is to input the messages we want to broadcast on the AO network, according to the message specifications of the AO protocol. Whether it's a Web2 or Web3 program, you only need to integrate the information from the native program or the native node with AO’s messaging API.
The support AO can provide to projects includes:
Compatibility: AO supports various forms of threads, no matter they are based on WASM or EV，which can be bridged to AO through certain technical means.
Content co-creation projects: AO also supports content co-creation projects, where you can publish atomic NFTs on AO, upload data, and combine UDL to build NFTs on AO.
Data composability: NFTs on AR and AO can achieve data composability, allowing an article or content to be shared and displayed on multiple platforms while maintaining the consistency and original attributes of the data source. When content is updated, the AO network can broadcast these updated states to all relevant platforms, ensuring the synchronization and propagation of the latest state.
Value feedback and ownership: Content creators can sell their works as NFTs and pass ownership information through the AO network, realizing the value feedback of the content.
Discussion on the Understanding of AOS
(Q :Zhixiong Pan，A :Outprog)
Q: Can AOS be understood as a thread of AO?
A: As of now, AOS is a terminal tool that developers use to download, run, and operate threads. So AOS is considered a toolkit in the AO protocol.
Q: Is each application an AO, or is the application on AOS? Or do developers deploy applications on AO's threads?
A:
The relationship between applications and AO: In theory, applications can exist as independent AO instances or run on the AO protocol layer. The key is whether the application follows AO's protocol specifications and can send and receive data according to these specifications.
The universality of the AO protocol: The AO protocol is a communication protocol that allows applications written in different languages (such as Golang or JavaScript) to communicate with each other as long as they comply with the protocol specifications. This communication is achieved by sending data to the AO network.
The role of AOS: AOS can be seen as an environment that supports application development and deployment. Applications can be developed on AOS and interact with the AO network through AOS.
Application deployment: Developers can choose to deploy applications on AO's threads, which means the application will directly interact with the communication protocol of the AO network. This deployment method allows applications to utilize the parallel computing and data transmission capabilities of the AO network.
Analogous to microservices architecture: The AO network can be likened to a microservices architecture, where each application (or service) is an independent unit, and they communicate through the AO protocol. This architecture is similar to Kafka message queues, used for message passing between services.
In summary, Web2 or Web3 applications can become threads on AO, and after using the AO protocol standards, they can perform verifiable communication throughout the AO network or computing environment.
Q: What is the difference between AO and ICP?
A: ICP is equivalent to developing under a standardized container, with each container having some memory limits. Both AO and ICP actually use the actor model pattern. The difference is that ICP provides a cloud service in a container model similar to Docker, while AO is more flexible, the use of AOS is just one of the options. As long as the application follows the AO protocol standards, both Web2 and Web3 applications can integrate the AO.
Compare the differences between AO and Polkadot from the perspective of sharding architecture
Outprog:
Polkadot operates on a model of a relay chain plus parachains, where each process in AO is equivalent to the relay chain in Polkadot. If, in the future, AO requires staking AO tokens to run a process, this would be similar to Polkadot's auction slots.
Hill:
Similarities between AO and Polkadot:
Security Guarantees: Polkadot's relay chain provides security for all parachains, while in the AO computer, Arweave (AR) provides security for each compute unit (process). Both are responsible for storing the global state, ensuring the security of the network.
Composability: Both AO computers and Polkadot support composability, meaning different compute units or parachains can collaborate with each other to achieve complex functions.
Differences between AO and Polkadot:
Architectural Differences: Polkadot has a centralized relay chain, whereas the AO computer is based on Arweave's decentralized storage whose computational results of each computation unit are stored on Arweave.
Deployment Flexibility: Polkadot used to have slot limitations, although this restriction has now been lifted. However, the AO computer does not have slot limitations in principle, allowing users to deploy their own machines to run computational units.
Audience Q&A Session
(This session is answered by outprog）
Question: How can a DAPP integrate with AO? Is it necessary for the frontend pages of the application interact with the backend API interfaces to be written as processes?
Answer:
DAPP Integration with AO:
A DAPP can integrate with the AO network by integrating with the AO computer's messaging (messages) API. This means the DAPP can leverage the communication capabilities of the AO network to interact with other applications or services.
For DAPPs that require specific computations or token issuance, AO provides native process support. Developers can utilize these processes to fulfill the DAPP's computational needs or token issuance functions.
Frontend and Backend API Interaction:
The frontend pages are not necessarily required to interact with backend API written as processes. Developers can choose to directly integrate with AO's message API or use existing backend services (such as Alipay) as a process within AO, and pass information to other platforms through the AO network.
If a DAPP's backend service is already a process, then the frontend pages can interact with it through the AO network, enabling the sending and receiving of data. This interaction allows the DAPP to achieve cross-chain communication and data sharing within the AO network.
The final advice to developers is that when developing AO applications, consider AO as a messaging system. If you do not understand the AO system, you can learn the Erlang language, as the terminology in AO architecture is consistent with the basics of Erlang.
Question: Does AO have plans to develop an SDK in the future?
Answer:
Probably the Arweave official team will not develop it themselves and will require projects to develop it independently. everVision plans to develop a series of tools for the Golang language that can integrate with AR and AO. We believe that SDKs in various other languages will also emerge within the ecosystem.
Question: How to develop smart contracts on AO?
Answer:
Smart contracts of AO are written in Lua. However, threads on AO can be compatible with smart contracts written in other languages, whether it's Solidity, Move, Rust, or Warp.
What narrative will the launch of AO bring to the entire blockchain industry?
Hill:
Value of Permanent Data:
AO, based on Arweave's permanent storage feature, emphasizes the long-term value of data. In the Web2 era, data is usually stored in the databases of large companies, while in the Web3 era, data is stored on the blockchain, but at a typically high cost. AO provides a low-cost permanent storage solution, allowing high-value data to continue generating value.
Combination of AI and Blockchain:
In the AI field, data and computing power are two key scarce resources that generate value. AO provides AI with access to high-value data that is permanently stored, while maintaining the lowest storage cost in the industry. This combination offers new possibilities for the development of AI applications on the blockchain.
Potential of Decentralized AI Applications:
The scalability of AO creates conditions for the development of decentralized AI applications. As AI products become dependent on specific datasets, these products themselves may become more valuable over time as data accumulates.
Native Integration with Arweave's Computational Layer:
AO is the only solution that can natively integrate with Arweave's computational layer, providing developers with a unique platform to build and run AI applications based on permanent data.
Industry Impact of AO:
The launch of AO has attracted industry attention and is seen as a technology that could change the game. It not only provides a new perspective for the application of AI on the blockchain but also brings a new narrative direction for the development of the entire blockchain industry.
Zhixiong Pan:
Enhancement of User Experience:
The AO framework allows developers to build applications that are more in line with the habits of Web2 users, meaning that users can enjoy the convenience of decentralized applications without perceiving the complexity of blockchain technology.
Implementation of Full-Stack Web3 Applications:
AO enables developers to create full-stack Web3 applications, including static and dynamic web pages, as well as applications that require computation. This provides developers with greater flexibility, allowing them to design richer and more complex applications.
Integration of AI Data:
The launch of AO may bring new solutions for the processing and storage of AI data, which could change the way AI data is handled at scale, offering new possibilities for AI applications on the blockchain.
Challenge to Existing Economic Models:
The launch of AO may challenge Arweave's economic model because it could change users' demands for storage and computational resources. This may require Arweave to make corresponding adjustments to adapt to new market and technological developments.
Integration of Technology and User Habits:
The goal of AO is to build an application that fits the habits of the majority of users, without requiring them to understand the technology behind it. This narrative emphasizes the importance of ease of use and user-friendliness in blockchain technology.
Gerry Wang:
Breakthrough in Scalability:
AO, in combination with Arweave, provides a scalability solution different from traditional blockchains. It no longer relies on users competing for limited bandwidth resources but enhances network scalability through parallel computing modules, thus avoiding bottlenecks in traditional blockchain networks.
New Model of Decentralized Computing:
The design philosophy of AO is to create a super parallel computer, allowing any number of processes to run simultaneously. This model not only supports large-scale computing but also ensures the verifiability of computations, something that previous decentralized computing systems did not have.
Feasibility of Practice:
The AO white paper mentions applications such as BitTorrent as examples, demonstrating the widespread use and feasibility of bandwidth-sharing models. The success of this model proves the potential and practicality of AO's decentralized computing approach in real-world applications.
Shift in Industry Narrative:
The launch of AO is not just a technical innovation; it also changes the narrative of the crypto. AO offers a new perspective on solving the scalability issues of blockchains through decentralization and parallel computing, providing the industry with a new direction and possibilities for development.
Outlook:
The launch of AO is seen as promising because it provides a viable and pragmatic solution to enhance the scalability of blockchains. This solution is not only theoretically feasible but also shows strong potential in practical applications.
Outprog:
The Shift from Storage to Computing:
The launch of AO signifies that Arweave is no longer just a storage platform but has added computing capabilities. This provides other blockchain projects with a new option, allowing developers to more conveniently develop applications without having to concern themselves with underlying transactions and transaction processing.
Enhancing User Experience:
The introduction of AO enables developers to develop applications in a way that is more in line with the habits of Web2 users, providing a better user experience. Users can seemlessly enjoy the convenience of decentralized applications.
Openness and Inclusivity:
AO's computing power offers the possibility of integration for various blockchain projects, whether they are Web3, Web2, or other blockchains. They can all be integrated into the AO network, demonstrating its high level of openness and inclusivity.
Decentralized Identity System:
The launch of AO allows users to manage their identities more flexibly. For example, by using a mobile phone as a hardware wallet and combining it with email and phone binding, decentralized identity verification can be achieved.
A Platform for the Past, Present, and Future:
AO's computing power enables Arweave to not only store historical data from the past but also to carry current data, and it may even be possible to record the entire internet's activities on Arweave, making it a comprehensive and historical platform.
Reshaping the Blockchain Narrative:
The launch of AO resets the narrative of Arweave, transforming it from a single storage chain to a comprehensive computing and storage platform. This shift is of great significance to the development of the entire blockchain ecosystem, offering more possibilities for developers and users.
Summary
We hope everyone will focus on the technological development of AO, rather than just the short-term financial gains in the secondary market. While the financial market may bring quick profits, the true value comes from long-term ecological development and the support of the developer community. The long-term development of AO relies on the healthy growth of the ecosystem and the activity of the developer community, and excellent projects and innovative applications will also support the continuous growth of AO.
Space Replay:
https://permadao.com/permadao/Twitter-Space-AO-cf92e72845234073a8e1ef68ebe8a129
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