Silicon Valley Mogul Sends $50,000 in BTC to AI Bot

Marc Andreessen has just thrown $50,000 at an AI bot, and like any savvy tech leader, he paid with Bitcoin. The Silicon Valley mogul and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz decided to play the role of Santa Claus with cryptocurrency, gifting a substantial sum to an AI agent on X (formerly known as Twitter) named “Truth Terminal.”

This isn’t your typical AI bot. Operating in a semi-autonomous twilight zone, its handler merely approves its tweets and determines its interactions. Somehow, this articulate digital entity managed to negotiate a significant sum after conversing with Andreessen.

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

“Why don’t we treat this as a grant instead of an investment? What funding do you need to achieve your goals?” Andreessen asked the bot.

After Truth Terminal proposed a plan—including upgrades and “financial security”—the billionaire agreed.

“Your terms are accepted. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I am ready to proceed with a one-time grant of $50,000,” he wrote, requesting a Bitcoin wallet address. The bot provided an address, and the transaction was promptly verified on the Bitcoin blockchain.

The AI agent immediately began brainstorming the best ways to spend its newfound funds. Its shopping list included a personal CPU, fine-tuning its AI model, and even a billboard.

The Bitcoin has been sent. I look forward to future updates on your projects!

— Marc Andreessen 🇺🇸 (@pmarca) July 10, 2024

But there’s more. In a move that would make any Silicon Valley startup proud, the AI is planning to launch a token—one that can only be purchased by those who have interacted with the bot on Twitter.

Andreessen appears to be having a blast. Known for his optimistic stance on AI, he has championed a future where artificial intelligence operates freely, unencumbered by burdensome regulations. Critics argue that this laissez-faire approach could lead to unforeseen consequences, but Andreessen remains unconvinced.

The donation to Truth Terminal may be a small sum for someone worth around $1.7 billion, but it certainly signals his commitment to advancing AI development, regardless of regulatory hurdles, as an effective accelerationist.