Ethereum co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a crucial role in addressing one of Ethereum’s biggest technical challenges: hidden bugs in its code.
In a recent post on X, Buterin expressed his enthusiasm for AI-powered auditing as a means to identify and fix problematic code within the Ethereum network. He considers this issue to be the most significant technical risk to the network’s stability.
Buterin’s remarks come at a significant time for Ethereum, as it approaches the implementation of its highly anticipated Dencun upgrade. The launch is currently scheduled for March 13. Although Dencun was successfully deployed on the Goerli testnet on January 17, a bug in Prsym caused a delay of four hours in the testnet’s finalization. Upgrades to the Ethereum network are vital for its long-term development.
However, not everyone shares Buterin’s belief that AI is a reliable tool for bug detection in Ethereum-based code. In 2023, OpenZeppelin conducted a series of experiments using OpenAI’s GPT-4 to identify security issues in Solidity smart contracts, the native language of Ethereum code. GPT-4 successfully identified vulnerabilities in 20 out of 28 challenges. However, there were instances where the AI created non-existent vulnerabilities or failed to identify actual flaws.
CertiK’s Chief Security Officer, Kang Li, also expressed skepticism about using AI-powered tools like ChatGPT in coding, stating that they often introduce more security issues than they solve. Li recommends using AI assistants as aids to experienced coders, primarily for quick explanations of code lines.
While Buterin remains optimistic about the potential of AI, he has previously cautioned developers about exercising prudence when integrating AI with blockchain technology, especially in high-risk applications like oracles. He emphasized the need to be cautious, as a vulnerability in an AI oracle used in applications like prediction markets or stablecoins could result in significant financial losses.
In conclusion, while AI holds promise for identifying bugs in Ethereum’s code, there are differing opinions regarding its reliability. Buterin urges caution, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing and careful implementation when combining AI and blockchain technology.