The world generates 402 million terabytes of data every day (Statista, 2024). But most blockchains still struggle to move tokens — let alone handle shared, verifiable memory for AI and onchain apps. Now with AI exploding, that number is only going up fast. The AI data market, currently valued around $30 billion, is projected to reach $104 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research). That’s 3.5x growth in just a few years and Web3 still doesn’t have the infrastructure to support it That’s the gap. That’s the opportunity. @irys_xyz is building the bridge. A programmable datachain — not just for storage, but for automation, provenance, and intelligence that compounds through data. What even is a "Datachain"? Most of us are used to chains like Ethereum, Solana, etc., where the focus is mostly on value transfer — moving tokens, minting NFTs, deploying smart contracts. But Irys is different. It’s not just about money. It’s about data. They call it a “programmable datachain,” which basically means: - You can store data permanently - You can embed logic/code inside that data - You can verify where that data came from (aka provenance) So instead of just using the blockchain like a database or receipt system, Irys turns it into shared memory that apps, protocols, and even AI agents can plug into and build on top of. This hits especially hard when you think about AI. Because let’s be real — AI tools are only as good as the data they’re trained on or interacting with. And if that data is scattered, unverifiable, or too expensive to access? That’s a BOTTLENECK. Irys is basically saying: “Hey, let’s fix that.” And so far, they’re backing that up with actual tools and use cases. The AI data market is worth $30B today and set to hit $104B by 2030. I dug into what that future might actually look like and these are 5 core verticals where Irys is positioned to generate real value: 1️⃣Onchain Services: You can create dApps that share data in a way that’s open and composable. Think dashboards, bots, data-driven games — stuff that needs data and logic. 2️⃣New Utilities: Teams can launch new tools on top of Irys using its native execution layer. It’s like building apps where the data is baked in, not separate. 3️⃣Ecosystem Integration: Irys can plug into other protocols, especially in AI, to enable smoother data flows. Imagine AI tools across chains tapping into a shared memory layer. 4️⃣Permissionless Collaboration: No central coordination needed. One app can use another’s data automatically, as long as it's public and permissionless. That’s powerful. 5️⃣AI Workflow Automation: Data can have smart instructions embedded, so it can trigger contracts or actions. Think AI models responding to real-time data directly onchain. Under the Hood I’m not a developer, but I’ve spent time digging into the tech and it’s genuinely impressive. To save you time, here are the 4 core things I learned that explain why Irys stands out: 🔸Native Execution Layer: You can embed code directly into data. This makes it programmable, which is a game-changer for AI agents or autonomous dApps. 🔸Cheap & Stable Storage: Compared to Web2 cloud or even most Web3 storage systems, Irys offers lower costs and more predictable pricing. 🔸Fast Retrieval & Sharing: Data on Irys is instantly accessible and shareable across apps. 🔸Composable Utilities: Irys offers a bunch of tools that you can mix and match. So you’re not just building alone — you're building within a growing ecosystem. Also, Irys is built on Arweave, which means the data is permanent and censorship-resistant What Stood Out To Me One of Irys’ own posts said this, and it really stuck with me: "It needs to be memory. Shared memory for AI projects, for protocols, and for intelligence that compounds through data." That line really captures the gap they’re solving. If we’re heading toward a world where apps and AI systems need to collaborate, evolve, and remember — then having a programmable, open, shared data layer becomes foundational. And right now? I don’t see many chains thinking like this — let alone building it. Web3 is still missing a data layer that’s programmable, scalable, and AI-ready. Irys is trying to be that layer. So yeah, if you care about where AI and data are heading in Web3, Irys is one worth keeping an eye on.