The Outside Context
"An Outside Context Problem was the sort of thing most civilizations encountered just once, and which they tended to encounter rather in the same way a sentence encountered a full stop." — Iain M. Banks, Excession. This podcast discusses challenges that fall into the outside context with the innovators and visionaries who are the forefront of technological change. It considers the big picture of technology, and why this matters for the future of human civilisation.
The Outside Context
March of the Machines: AI, the Machine Economy, and the Future of Investing
The Outside Context – Episode 4
Episode Summary
In this episode, hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Lex Sokolin, co-founder of Generative Ventures, to explore the convergence of crypto, artificial intelligence, and financial technology. Lex shares his journey from early fintech ventures to leading DeFi initiatives at ConsenSys and launching a venture fund focused on the evolving machine economy.
The conversation touches on the rise of AI agents, the future of Web3, financial engineering, and the broader societal impact of automation and tokenized economies. Lex provides a forward-looking perspective on how AI-driven finance is reshaping economic structures and why the next wave of digital transformation is already here.
Key Topics Covered
Lex Sokolin’s background in fintech, crypto, and AI investing; The vision behind Generative Ventures and why AI + crypto is the future; The evolution of DeFi and its intersection with artificial intelligence; The machine economy: AI agents, digital ownership, and on-chain finance; Reflections on the collapse of FTX and lessons learned for Web3; How regulation and policy might shape the next decade of fintech innovation; The ethical and societal implications of AI-driven financial markets; and A realistic look at whether we are heading toward a dystopia—or simply an unfamiliar new world.
Resources & Mentions
Generative Ventures – Lex Sokolin’s investment fund Books discussed: Accelerando (Charles Stross), The Technium (Kevin Kelly), Neuromancer (William Gibson) AI & Web3 projects: Peaq (Layer 1 for AI-powered DePIN networks), Moemate (entertainment AI agents)
Connect with Us
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