Ethereum core developer Eric Conner has decided to leave the Ethereum community, driven by leadership concerns, and turn his attention to artificial intelligence ventures. Conner’s departure follows Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s declaration of sole authority over the Ethereum Foundation, a decision that has sparked debates about the ethos of decentralization within the blockchain community.
Conner, who has been part of the Ethereum ecosystem for more than a decade, publicly expressed frustration with the current leadership structure. He emphasized the significance of leadership alignment with community values and announced he would instead focus on developing AI tools, starting with a project called Freysa.ai.
The leadership controversy arose after Buterin proposed significant changes aimed at prioritizing technical expertise and streamlining communications within the Ethereum Foundation. However, his move to oversee these reforms personally until a permanent board is established has drawn mixed reactions from the community, highlighting a divide over Ethereum’s future governance.
Conner’s shift to AI reflects his broader concerns that leaders and community culture are pivotal to any organization’s success. Despite his exit, he expressed optimism for Ethereum’s continued success, albeit from the sidelines as he embarks on his new journey in the AI sector.
