To be honest, I didn't really understand what Gavin was saying at the time, but it might be due to cultural background or language issues. In any case, I found the term IA a bit abstract, especially when Gavin mentioned the Polkadot App and the portal platform, which were designed around the demand for 'IA'.
However, I've recently come to understand a bit more, because I watched Gavin's talk at a PBA graduation ceremony, where he mentioned that Parity would launch mechanisms related to 'agency'.
In simple terms, 'agency' is an emphasis on individual responsibility and autonomy. To put it plainly, it means treating people as adults.
You do not need a 'Big Brother' to make decisions for you.
You also do not need a 'nanny' to manage everything for you.
You have the ability to assess risks and also the ability to take responsibility for your choices.
Because in many Web2 products, the system defaults to you being unreliable.
It makes judgments for you, controls risks for you, and decides what is 'reasonable.'
Especially, the product experience of Web2 meets the needs of 80% of users, but will not satisfy 100% of user needs, because the value of Web2 is efficiency over fairness.
But the starting point of Web3 is not like this. The assumption of Web3 is that users are capable, and Web3 emphasizes fairness, with fairness greater than efficiency.
This does not mean that there are no security mechanisms, but rather that the system should not treat users as incompetent people.
This is what true autonomy means.
At the same time, agency also means that you do not casually push responsibility onto others. You do not rely on a centralized structure to 'catch you.' You also will not easily transfer risks to others.
You can remain open and welcome different opinions. You can change your views. But that is because you have thought for yourself, not because someone has made the decision for you.
If viewed from an ecological perspective, it means that developers must be responsible for their products. Users must be responsible for their choices. The system provides tools but does not take on the burdens of life for people.
The Polkadot Portal system, especially the mobile applications of Polkadot, is specifically designed to meet the needs of such 'intentional individuals,' subjects of the information age, members of the Agentic Society.
So what kind of product is this?
My understanding is that it is a product designed not just for '80% of people,' but for 100% of real users. Our product must face the complexities of the real world and take responsibility for 100% of users.
The goal of Web3 has never been to optimize process efficiency, but to restore the agency of individuals.
This means:
Do not ignore the minority.
Do not exclude real users.
Do not outsource responsibility to the system.
This is not just a product issue, but also a matter of values.
Learn more in the latest article from PolkaWorld(Designed for 100% real users: Gavin's core thoughts on Polkadot products!)