From teaching machines to code, to rethinking blockchain governance

Before it became a leading Layer-1 blockchain, NEAR started in 2017 as an AI startup focused on teaching machines how to code. That early vision of using intelligent systems to simplify complexity shaped NEAR’s approach to building scalable, user-friendly blockchain infrastructure.

In this interview, Lane Rettig, Head of Research, reflects on NEAR’s evolution and highlights how governance remains central to its mission. From protocol-level decisions to community participation, NEAR explores models that balance decentralisation with efficiency, ensuring the network can adapt as it grows.

By blending its AI roots with pioneering governance frameworks, NEAR is carving a path toward a blockchain that not only scales but also remains sustainable, transparent, and community-driven.