Solana Labs has unveiled a plug-in that will make it possible not only to read data from the Solana blockchain (SOL) from ChatGPT, but also to interact with the network. Can artificial intelligence help cryptocurrency adoption
Navigate Solana with ChatGPT?
Earlier this week, Solana Labs, in charge of developing the Solona blockchain (SOL), unveiled the upcoming release of a plug-in for OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot:
(1/2) Solana Labs has created an open-source reference implementation for a ChatGPT plugin that lets users interact with the @solana network directly from ChatGPT.
Users will be able to check wallet balances, transfer tokens, and purchase NFTs once ChatGPT plugins are available. pic.twitter.com/08z1IX76zJ
– Solana Labs (@solanalabs) April 25, 2023
Although this plug-in is still under construction, it should make it possible not only to read data from the blockchain, but also to interact with it.
The possibilities are therefore relatively broad, and users should be able to ask ChatGPT for details of what is contained in an address, just as they will be able to ask to carry out transactions.
As shown in the example prompt below, the chatbot is asked for help in buying a specific non-fungible token (NFT). ChatGPT then provides a link to sign the transaction to finalise it from a Web wallet3 :
Example of a prompt asking ChatGPT for help buying an NFT
While no release date has yet been announced for the plug-in, developers are invited to test the code made available on GitHub.
Limits and opportunities of such an innovation
In its current version, the plug-in proposed by Solana Labs could, however, present a few obstacles for use by novice investors. The fact that you have to specify a very specific smart contract address is not something that everyone can do at first if they don’t know how to use a blockchain explorer beforehand.
On this point, decentralised exchanges (DEX) and various marketplaces may prove easier to use. What’s more, users will need to pay close attention to the accuracy of their prompts, at the risk of ChatGPT redirecting them to results other than those expected.
On the other hand, when it comes to blockchain exploration, it may actually be easier to search for data in this way, by asking ChatGPT directly what you want, rather than getting lost in a blockchain explorer if you’re not used to it.
It has to be said that Solana’s blockchain explorers, such as Solscan and Solana Explorer, are much more data-poor than those for blockchains compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), starting with Etherscan for Ethereum (ETH).
This point was highlighted in the comments under the announcement tweet, where one user asked Solana Labs to start by providing a functional blockchain explorer:
Good place to start would be replicating all the charts & data available on etherscan for Solana
6h max time frames aren’t super useful
An accurate source for circulating SOL supply from network launch would also be excellent. No good free source of historical data exists for… pic.twitter.com/xaKRxauwPa
– Matt (@mattmaximo1) April 25, 2023
Notwithstanding, the idea of using artificial intelligence to navigate blockchains remains very relevant, and no doubt features similar to such tools should develop in the future.
