Silver Lining? Google Cloud’s head of Web3 talks Big Tech possibilities for the blockchain
Web2 and Web3 have often been portrayed as opposing forces, with Web2 companies accused of exploiting users’ data and Web3 advocates aiming to return ownership over digital production to internet users. However, James Tromans, head of Web3 at Google Cloud, believes that the two can coexist and even complement each other.
Tromans, who has a background in trading, engineering, and artificial intelligence, stated that Google Cloud aims to provide infrastructure for Web3 developers to build on. Despite Google’s status as a Big Tech giant, Tromans emphasized that their move into Web3 is driven by a desire to meet customer demand and make Web3 technology more accessible to developers.
Google Cloud’s Web3 department focuses on several areas, including blockchain node engine and data analytics capabilities. The blockchain node engine allows developers and enterprises to easily run blockchain nodes in Google’s data centers worldwide, taking off the burden of managing the operations. This service currently supports Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon, with more chains set to be added in the future.
Tromans also discussed the crossover between AI and Web3. He highlighted the role of generative AI in giving Web3 space to innovate and find its footing. However, he believes that AI will continue to play a significant role in both Web3 for AI and AI for Web3. As an AI-first company, Google has been at the forefront of AI advancements, and Tromans sees potential for AI to transform various aspects of technical innovation within Web3.
In conclusion, Tromans argued that Google Cloud’s involvement in Web3 signifies a bridging of the gap between startups, enterprises, and finance organizations. Rather than viewing Web2 and Web3 as conflicting, he believes that they can work together to drive technological advancements and provide users with more control and ownership over their digital presence.
