How Business Leaders Can Leverage Blockchain And AI To Unlock New Opportunities
Daniel A. Keller, CEO and President of InFlux Technologies Limited and Flux.
Blockchain and AI are increasingly becoming more integrated—the duo can work symbiotically to bolster one another.
At its core, blockchain provides a decentralized, consensus-based infrastructure that enables AI solutions to operate without third parties controlling the data and algorithms. There's the privacy element as well. Blockchain can help companies address data privacy issues inherent in AI solutions that run on centralized Web2 platforms.
Both of these technologies are continuously evolving. However, business leaders should embrace them sooner rather than later to avoid falling behind.
The Key Business Benefits Of Using Blockchain And AI In Tandem
Why should leaders embrace blockchain and AI sooner rather than later? Consider the benefits that both technologies can offer companies when used in tandem.
Blockchain gives businesses more control and ownership over their data. Third-party platforms—cloud providers, social networks, etc.—can be fickle. Overnight, a third-party platform could change the rules of engagement, such as by raising costs or adding new content restrictions, that make it difficult, if not impossible, for companies to control their costs, maintain their operations and share their narratives. Blockchain breaks that grip of control from third parties. With blockchain, leaders can create cost-effective infrastructure that runs on their terms.
As for AI, it can help companies streamline their operations, pinpoint issues in real time and personalize customer service, to name a few of the many use cases.
However, AI comes with various risks, namely, data privacy issues and concerns about centralized data control and training when using publicly available platforms. In certain industries, such as healthcare and finance, the consequences that can stem from those risks are magnified. By using the decentralized, open-source infrastructure and consensus mechanisms that blockchain provides, leaders can more effectively safeguard their data—both at the input and output stages.
Best Practices For Implementing Blockchain And AI Together
Business leaders should adopt blockchain and AI before these technologies mature. The more they delay adoption, the further behind they risk falling.
To effectively leverage both technologies, leaders should start by identifying how blockchain and AI can serve their business needs. They should focus on their strategic vision for the next six months to a year and then evaluate where blockchain and AI can fit in. Short iterations are vital, given how quickly both technologies are evolving; long planning cycles could render them obsolete before implementation.
Once leaders have identified their strategic vision for the next six months to a year, they can research vendors and find one that aligns with their business needs. From there, they proceed to the implementation stage. There's room for flexibility here. Leaders shouldn't go all-in on adopting both technologies at once. In most cases, an incremental, scalable approach to implementing blockchain and AI will be more manageable.
For instance, the executives of a local consulting firm might opt to stay in Web2 and keep 50% of their company's infrastructure there. It could move the other half of its infrastructure to Web3 and then gradually start migrating customers there. On that decentralized infrastructure, it could begin running AI tools that refine certain processes, such as client scheduling and communication. Over time, the consulting firm can move more of its infrastructure to Web3, increase the number of AI tools it runs and shift more customers.
Following implementation, leaders should remain proactive in keeping their systems current. Blockchain and AI are rapidly changing, and by staying informed about those changes, leaders can pinpoint how they factor into their business needs.
Risks—And How Business Leaders Can Navigate Them
Business leaders should be aware that adopting blockchain and AI comes with risks.
For instance, aside from technical complexity, another prominent risk is that both operate in an uncertain regulatory environment.
Consider recent regulatory activity in the United States. According to TheStreet, on May 29, 2025, lawmakers 'introduced the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act—a bill designed to finally bring clear regulations to the crypto and digital asset industry.' A June 3, 2025, StateScoop article noted that 'A bipartisan coalition of more than 260 state legislators from all 50 states on Tuesday sent a letter to Congress opposing a provision in the federal budget reconciliation bill that would impose a 10-year ban on state and local regulation of artificial intelligence.'
The outcomes of these regulatory activities can have serious ramifications for businesses implementing blockchain and AI, making it paramount for leaders to stay informed about developments on the policy side. A new law could render a company's adoption of blockchain and AI noncompliant, requiring a costly overhaul to get back on track.
Another significant risk is workforce disruptions. When a company switches to Web3 and starts implementing AI, its existing workforce will likely be restructured or cut. Leaders must carefully consider the potential workforce disruptions that may arise from leveraging blockchain and AI.
However, now is the time for leaders to explore blockchain and AI. Acting proactively, rather than reactively, gives leaders the best chance at mitigating risks, leveraging blockchain and AI symbiotically to drive business results and staying ahead of their competitors. Ultimately, it's by embracing open-source, decentralized platforms and AI solutions that leaders can safeguard their costs, operations and narratives.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
32 minutes ago
- Fast Company
How AI agents and copilots are rewriting the rules of consulting
AI agents and copilots are more than productivity tools—they are transforming the consulting model itself. From solutioning to delivery, talent development to client interaction, they're redefining the skills, structures, and strategies needed to succeed. As a practice leader at the intersection of business solutions, AI, and organizational change, I've seen firsthand how this shift is playing out and where it's going next. HUMAN + MACHINE: A NEW MODEL FOR DELIVERY AI agents are fundamentally reshaping how we think about delivering and consulting. The old model—staffing a team and executing tasks step by step—is evolving. Now, when we build teams, we don't just think about human talent. We think about the tools we'll use to help us make smarter decisions, automate repetitive processes, and surface insights in real time. This kind of human-machine collaboration means we can spot risks earlier and optimize delivery more efficiently. We're also using automation for tasks like running test cases, which used to require significant manual effort. Now we're cutting down on that overhead, which means faster timelines, fewer errors, and, ultimately, better prices for our clients. THE EVOLVING ROLE OF CONSULTANTS One of the biggest shifts is in what entry-level consulting looks like. There's a lot of talk—and some fear—about copilots replacing people. This is understandable. But what I'm seeing isn't replacement, but transformation. The nature of entry-level work is changing. Rather than doing the manual tasks that lead up to analysis, new consultants are stepping in at the 'what do we do next?' stage. Instead of generating the data, they're interpreting it. They need to be ready to assess project plans, spot risks, and make decisions based on the information AI provides. That requires rethinking what early career experience should look like. Graduates and newcomers need strong analytical skills and a mindset for continuous learning. Education and certifications still matter, but they have to be paired with curiosity and critical thinking. THE EXPECTATIONS GAP Client expectations around AI are skyrocketing. They want faster results, lower prices, and fewer people involved, and they want it all immediately. But while expectations are high, the full value of AI will still take time to realize. This is where some education has to happen. Some clients are very fluent in AI. Others are just starting to understand what's possible and what isn't. It's important for us to help them see the opportunity while also being honest about what AI can (and can't) do right now. The pace of change is stunning, but that doesn't mean we can instantly deliver everything AI promises. There has to be a learning curve on both sides. DON'T WAIT FOR PERFECT If there's one piece of advice I offer to clients and teams when it comes to AI, it's this: Don't wait. Don't wait for perfect tools. Don't wait for someone else to figure it all out first. The companies embracing AI now, speed bumps and all, are the ones that will lead their industries tomorrow. Will the first AI tool you try be perfect? Probably not. But that's okay. We all need to iterate. Try, assess, adapt. The wins won't all come at once, but they'll come faster than if you sit on the sidelines. We need to design consulting engagements with outcomes in mind, not just tasks. Because the tasks are being handled differently now, with value delivered through human-machine collaboration. Clients should expect that kind of delivery model, and they should align their objectives accordingly. Having subject matter experts embedded in this environment alongside fast-moving AI tools is where we'll see the most value in the short term. THE FUTURE IS AGILE Looking ahead, I'm incredibly optimistic when I think about the tools we don't even have yet: what they could unlock, how much faster we could deliver, and how much higher the quality could be. Maybe we'll even start breaking up large projects into smaller, more value-driven phases because the technology makes it possible. But I'm also realistic. The pace of AI development means the skills required in consulting are going to keep changing. If you want to be in this business, you have to be willing to adapt—not just every year or every few years, but continuously, and faster than before. Because here's the truth: AI isn't just rewriting the rules of consulting. It's writing a whole new playbook. And if we want to stay in the game, we've got to keep turning the pages right along with it.
Android Authority
43 minutes ago
- Android Authority
YouTube is introducing a new age restriction next month
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube will raise the minimum age to livestream from 13 to 16 starting July 22. 13–15-year-olds can still appear in streams, but only with an adult visibly present. Live chat may be disabled or streams removed if underage users appear alone. Back in February, Google announced it would start using machine learning to estimate users' real ages on YouTube, aiming to catch people who lie about their date of birth. The platform now looks to tightening the screws even further with new age-based restrictions on livestreaming. Starting July 22, users must be at least 16 to go live on YouTube. Previously, anyone 13 and up could stream if they met other eligibility requirements. According to a newly updated Help page, the change is part of YouTube's broader efforts to protect minors, and it comes with additional limitations for teen creators who still appear in live content. While 13 to 15-year-olds can still appear in livestreams, they must be visibly accompanied by an adult. If not, live chat may be disabled or the stream removed. Teens can also go live from their own channel, but only if an adult is added as a channel manager, starts the stream via YouTube's Live Control Room, and is actively present on camera. These new measures build on YouTube's existing child safety efforts, such as supervised accounts and restricted content for Made for Kids channels. The company also emphasizes privacy tips for young users, like keeping personal information off camera and using moderation tools to manage live chat. The YouTube age changes may make it harder for younger creators to build a following. While this could be frustrating news to those affected, YouTube appears to be putting online safety front and center. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Entrepreneur
an hour ago
- Entrepreneur
Starbucks Changes Pricing for Syrups, Powders
In order to make things faster and easier for baristas and potentially cheaper for customers, Starbucks is switching to a flat-fee system for syrups. Beginning Tuesday, in stores in the U.S. and Canada, any combination of sauces and syrups will be a flat fee of 80 cents, whether you ask for one pump or four. Adding syrups to already pre-flavored beverages is free, per Bloomberg. Before the new changes, prices varied depending on flavor, number of pumps, and drinks being purchased. Related: Starbucks Is Hiring In-Store Human Workers After Replacing People With Machines — and Finding It Didn't Work Matcha powder add-ons will now cost $1 per scoop, chai concentrate is now set at 80 cents per serving, and dried fruit is now 50 cents each. Starbucks has been making a slew of changes since Brian Niccol joined as CEO last fall, promising to turn around the company's lagging sales. "We're getting back to Starbucks. We're refocusing on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas," he wrote at the time. "This is our enduring identity. We will innovate from here." The company has since cut items from the menu, implemented a new dress code for baristas, and closed its former "open door" policy. Related: Starbucks Is Hiring a 'Global Content Creator' to Travel, Drink Coffee, and Get Paid Six Figures
