In evaluating AI-focused blockchain projects, I've come to a crucial realization: flashy marketing and impressive demos matter far less than the actual infrastructure quality beneath the surface.

Too many people, myself included initially, get captivated by what an AI model can do on the surface. But real value lies deeper. The distinction is simple yet powerful—stop assessing these as mere AI projects. Start viewing them as AI infrastructure plays.

When you flip that lens, everything changes. You stop chasing hype and start asking the right questions: How solid is the backbone? Can it scale? Is the architecture battle-tested? Does it solve real constraints?

This shift in perspective separates the projects with staying power from the ones that fade when hype cycles cool.