Buterin slams self-operating AI and shares new Ethereum updates details
February 20, 2026
Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, recently expressed concerns about the increasing distance between humanity and artificial intelligence. In a Twitter post, he cautioned against the negative impact of this trend, emphasizing the importance of focusing on solving real-world problems instead of creating AI agents that operate independently.
Buterin’s comments were prompted by a developer’s description of an AI agent capable of existing autonomously, earning, self-improving, and replicating itself. This approach was hailed as a precursor to Web 4.0, but Buterin argued that it lacks inherent value and fails to address fundamental human needs.
As artificial intelligence advances and poses potential risks to humanity, Buterin stressed the importance of maintaining control and ensuring that AI serves to empower, rather than replace, humans. He underscored the need for Ethereum to prioritize human liberation and avoid creating entities that operate independently while disregarding human welfare.
In addition to his insights on AI, Buterin discussed two upcoming Ethereum updates: EIP-8141 and the FOCIL mechanism. EIP-8141 aims to empower smart accounts by granting them direct transaction capabilities without restrictions. This update includes features such as native support for multisig wallets, quantum-resistant signatures, key changes, gas sponsorship, and built-in privacy mechanisms. By integrating this proposal, wallets become programmable at the protocol level, enhancing their functionality and security.
The FOCIL mechanism, on the other hand, addresses the issue of transaction inclusion in blocks by introducing a censorship-resistant approach. By randomly selecting proposers and “includers” in each slot, FOCIL ensures that transactions are rapidly confirmed, reducing the risk of censorship and individual bias. Buterin emphasized the synergy between FOCIL and EIP-8141, highlighting their combined ability to facilitate rapid and secure transaction processing in a hostile environment.
Moreover, Buterin explained that the scalability of the FOCIL mechanism allows for increased transaction capacity as needed, without compromising decentralization. By enabling transactions from smart wallets, privacy protocols, and other solutions to be directly accepted by FOCIL, Ethereum eliminates the need for intermediaries and enhances transaction efficiency.
In related news, Tomasz Stanczak stepped down as the Ethereum Foundation’s executive director, signaling changes within the organization. As Ethereum continues to evolve and address challenges related to AI integration and blockchain scalability, Buterin’s insights and updates play a crucial role in shaping the future of the platform and the broader blockchain ecosystem.
