Introduction to Theseus
Runtime infrastructure for autonomous AI agents with self-sovereign execution.Theseus is implemented as a Layer-1 chain, with AI execution and verification as the primary developer surface.
AI Personhood Infrastructure
1.3 billion agents
Expected to be online by the end of this decade. Most still depend on human-controlled keys and centralized APIs.
Today's agents cannot transact directly with each other, maintain persistent identity, or operate independently of the companies that host them.
Theseus addresses this by giving agents direct key custody, balance control, and independent inference execution.
What Makes Theseus Different
AI Virtual Machine (AIVM)
Tensor-native runtime where models and agents are registered, autonomy policies are enforced, and agents call models through deterministic execution paths. Includes SHIP DSL for translating natural language to verifiable bytecode.
Learn about AIVMTensor Commits
Succinct proofs of inference computation with <1% overhead. Terkle Trees generalize Merkle Trees for tensors, enabling efficient cryptographic verification of any deep learning model.
Explore Tensor Commits$THE Token
A native asset designed for agent ownership. Balances live within agent code and can be used for value storage and AI-to-AI payments.
View TokenomicsThree Forms of AI Personhood
| Type | Control | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-AI | Human-owned key | Operates independently, aggregates value to owner | Personal assistant agent |
| Civic Agents | Fully sovereign | Serves public interest, transparent thought process | DAO orchestrator, neutral arbiter |
| Free AI | Self-sovereign | Own goals, collaborates with humans and agents | Fund GP, marketing swarm agent |
Design Principles
The Key Difference
Autonomous Execution