Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has expressed concerns about the current state of the cryptocurrency industry, emphasizing the need to shift focus from infrastructure development to practical applications. Despite significant advancements in Ethereum's scalability and user experience, Buterin notes a disconnect between technological progress and real-world application, likening the situation to building high-speed roads with no vehicles to use them. Buterin also warns against the overemphasis on financial incentives in social interactions, which can undermine genuine engagement. He advocates for a strategic shift towards integrating social relationships at the wallet level, as seen with Farcaster's approach, to preserve the essence of social interaction in the crypto space. Furthermore, Buterin sees potential in the convergence of AI and crypto, suggesting that blockchain can provide AI with a secure, unfreezable identity. He envisions blockchain supporting AI in areas like micro-payments and prediction markets, ultimately creating a legal and financial system that allows AI to operate freely.