The blockchain ecosystem has found a new ally in artificial intelligence (AI) as leading Ethereum blockchain explorer, Etherscan, has integrated AI technology into its newly launched Code Reader beta version. Announced on June 19, this innovative feature combines the OpenAI API to retrieve and interpret smart contract source codes, aiming to simplify blockchain research and development.
Blockchain explorers, such as Solscan for the Solana blockchain, Blockchain.com for Bitcoin, and BlockScout for EVM-based blockchains, are online search engines that allow users to view transactions and other relevant information on blockchain networks. With Etherscan’s AI-powered Code Reader, users can gain a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate selected smart contracts with decentralized applications (dApps), thus accelerating smart contract research and development.
However, the blockchain explorer acknowledges a few limitations to its new code reader. It only accepts OpenAI API Keys with sufficient usage limits and warns that the AI-generated answers may not be entirely accurate. As such, Etherscan advises users not to rely on these answers for evidence or bug bounties and to double-check and verify the information instead.
The inaccuracies stem from the phenomenon of AI chatbot hallucination, which refers to chatbots generating false information not backed by real-world data when responding to prompts. As of now, the beta version of the Code Reader only supports on-off prompts. To address these issues, Etherscan has requested suggestions from users for potential adjustments or improvements.
Etherscan is not the first to embrace AI tools in the blockchain field. On June 14, Alchemy, a top blockchain developer, launched a ChatGPT-based tool called AlchemyAI with a GPT-4 plugin for blockchain exploration. Furthermore, on April 25, Solana Labs unveiled an open-source ChatGPT plugin, allowing users to perform tasks like checking wallet balances and purchasing NFTs via the ChatGPT user interface.
Nevertheless, Etherscan’s AI-powered Code Reader stands out from ChatGPT plugins as it runs on the Etherscan platform using an OpenAI API Key, necessitating an additional cost separate from a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Other GPT-4 plugins deployed in blockchain analysis include Sic, DefiLlama, and CheckTheChain.
In conclusion, the integration of AI technology into blockchain platforms like Etherscan shows the evolving nature of this industry and a growing symbiosis between the two sectors. Blockchain explorers could, therefore, expect more advancements in AI and blockchain interactions in coming years.
Source: Cryptonews
