Vitalik: What we need to do is not oppose AI, but create sanctuaries

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Author: Saito

Just finished listening to Vitalik’s episode on a16z’s podcast, and the amount of information was overwhelming.

He founded Ethereum at 19, now in his early 30s, and has evolved from living on “autopilot” to being a “self-steering pilot.”

The core topic of this episode is the most pressing anxiety we face today: as AI becomes more powerful, what should humans do?

Vitalik’s answer isn’t “fight AI,” but to create sanctuary technologies. These technologies protect us while preserving our privacy and agency.

Today, we’ll break down the most counterintuitive viewpoints, practical advice, and Ethereum’s new positioning from this episode.

The biggest risk in the AI era isn’t AI being too smart, but humans being too passive

Vitalik openly states that the world today is less safe and less peaceful than it was 10 to 15 years ago.

Many people pursue a kind of “security”: entrusting everything to “the uncle in the sky,” meaning big corporations, super AI, centralized systems—letting them make decisions, manage risks, and provide protection for us.

But the cost of this security is the loss of privacy and agency.

Vitalik calls this kind of security disempowering safety—that is, safety that makes people feel increasingly powerless.

This is also where he reinterprets the mission of crypto / Ethereum. Ethereum’s purpose isn’t to “fix the dollar” or repair the existing financial system, but to create a new option. You are free to choose whether to use it or not.

This is true sanctuary: safe, yet allowing you to retain sovereignty.

Sanctuary Technologies: Small spaces that preserve human freedom

Sanctuary Technologies is a term Vitalik coined himself; translating it as “sanctuary technology” is very fitting.

It’s not about turning the whole world into a safe house, nor about ruling everyone with a bigger system. Its real goal is: to give you a safe little space where you can think freely, coordinate, and create without being fully controlled by external forces.

It has several core features: not totalizing, not trying to dominate the world; preserving privacy and agency; open for everyone to enter and exit freely, without coercion.

Ethereum is a typical sanctuary tech. It doesn’t aim to fix the current financial system but offers a parallel option. You can choose to use it or not.

This will become increasingly important in the AI era. Because as big corporations and super AI grow stronger, what humans truly need isn’t another system to “arrange everything for you,” but a space that preserves your ability to choose.

From autopilot to active pilot: Vitalik’s personal growth

Vitalik recalls that when he founded Ethereum at 19, he was largely on autopilot.

Many decisions were made passively: dropping out of school, writing the white paper, being rejected for a visa by Ripple—yet these became turning points in his life. Back then, he felt like he was being pushed by the world.

But now he increasingly realizes: the world changes too fast; no one will come to rescue you—you must be your own pilot.

He gives some relatable examples. Ten years ago, not contacting friends for days was no big deal; now, not replying to messages in a day causes anxiety. Ten years ago, you could really get lost walking; now, with smartphone navigation, cities become “transmission points.”

These changes remind us: the world “dies” every 5 to 10 years and is reborn. If you keep living by old scripts, you’ll quickly fall behind.

So, in the AI era, what truly matters isn’t passively waiting for technology to take you where it will, but actively deciding how to use technology.

The stronger AI becomes, the more humans need to maintain a “manual mode”

Vitalik emphasizes: active learning is ten times more effective than passive learning, even if the time spent is the same.

Since childhood, he forced himself to do many things manually—like doing chemistry without a calculator, walking without navigation. The goal isn’t anti-technology but to keep his brain engaged.

As AI gets stronger, we should deliberately retain some “manual mode.”

Sometimes intentionally not using AI to code, sometimes walking without navigation, sometimes not relying on chatbots to think for us.

This isn’t nostalgia or a rejection of efficiency; it’s to prevent brain atrophy and maintain our agency.

AI can help us do many things, but if all thinking, judgment, and exploration are outsourced, humans will gradually become passengers in the system. Vitalik’s reminder: you can use AI, but don’t become completely dependent on it.

Practical advice for builders

Vitalik’s insights for ordinary builders are very straightforward.

First, force yourself to do things manually. Even if AI can help, occasionally do it yourself to keep your brain from rusting.

Second, active learning. Don’t just let AI give you answers; derive, verify, and do it yourself.

Third, build sanctuary technologies. Whether you’re creating open-source tools, decentralized protocols, or personal knowledge bases, prioritize whether they help people retain sovereignty.

Fourth, don’t outsource all mental effort. AI can assist with execution, but strategy, direction, and values must be controlled by yourself.

Fifth, maintain serendipity. Attend offline events, talk to real people—don’t rely solely on algorithmic recommendations for discoveries.

All these points point to the same core: in the AI era, it’s not about using tools less, but about using tools more proactively.

Ethereum’s new positioning: not about fixing the old world, but creating new options

Vitalik’s view of crypto is also very clear.

Crypto can’t solve all problems of the dollar, nor does it need to pretend it can fix everything. But it can create something new without those flaws.

Everyone is free to choose whether to use it or not.

This is the most powerful aspect of crypto: it doesn’t force you; it gives you the choice.

In an era where AI rights are increasingly centralized, this becomes even more valuable. Because as more systems try to make decisions for you, filter information, and assess risks, a non-coercive, freely accessible parallel option becomes crucial.

Ethereum / crypto’s value isn’t about “winning the old world,” but about giving you a new world you can freely choose.

Most counterintuitive statements from this episode

The biggest risk in the AI era isn’t AI replacing humans, but humans willingly becoming passengers.

Sanctuary isn’t about making the world safe, but about giving you a safe little space where you can still retain freedom.

Active learning is ten times more effective than passive learning, even with the same time.

The world “dies” and is reborn every 5 to 10 years; we must be our own pilots.

Insights for ordinary people

The stronger AI gets, the more proactive humans need to be.

Don’t outsource all your thinking to models. Do more manual work to keep your brain online. Participate in building tools that preserve human sovereignty, whether open-source, decentralized, or personal knowledge systems.

Remember: technology is ultimately meant to serve humans, not replace them.

Vitalik concludes that we humans are still the brightest stars. AI can be powerful, but the true drivers of progress are active, agency-driven people.

One sentence summary

Vitalik, through a decade of personal experience, tells us: the AI era isn’t about lying flat, but about humans taking active control.

Don’t outsource your brain to models. Do more manual work, build sanctuary technologies, and preserve your privacy and agency.

My biggest takeaway from this episode is: we used to fear AI stealing jobs; now, AI is upgrading humans from “performers” to “designers.”

The truly scarce resource isn’t computing power, but willing, proactive thinkers who want to retain sovereignty.