Balaji Srinivasan: Prove Correct, Not Just Go Direct

April 23, 2026

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Balaji Srinivasan: Prove Correct, Not Just Go Direct

Balaji Srinivasan makes a bold case: the old systems we rely on — like journalism and hiring — are breaking down because of AI and synthetic content. He argues that trust in media and online info is eroding, but the fix isn’t just better fact-checking. According to Balaji, what we really need are cryptographic proofs and on-chain data that can verify truth in a way that’s tamper-proof. As Erik Torenberg and Theo Jaffee highlight from content+a16zpodcast@a16z.com, these new proof models could rebuild trust on the internet, making fake content less convincing and genuine info more secure. So what does this mean for your world? It’s about shifting from just going direct — skipping traditional gatekeepers — to proving correctness through transparent, cryptographic systems. The takeaway is clear: in a world overwhelmed by synthetic info, the future belongs to those who can prove what’s real, not just say it’s true.

Erik Torenberg and Theo Jaffee speak with Balaji Srinivasan, angel investor, entrepreneur, and author of The Network State, about how AI is transforming media, eroding trust, and reshaping how information is created and verified. They discuss why systems like hiring, journalism, and online communication are breaking under synthetic content, and what replaces them. The conversation also examines the role of cryptography, on-chain data, and new models of proof in rebuilding trust online.

Resources:

Follow Balaji on X: https://x.com/balajis

Follow Erik Torenberg on X: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Follow Theo Jaffee on X: https://x.com/theojaffee

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Audio Transcript