Is ReFAI the future?

Last Friday on ReFi Weekly, I discussed the future of ReFAI—autonomous AI agents in the ReFi space—with Jimi Cohen, a Guinness World Record holder for the most trees planted in 24 hours. Here are key highlights:

AI agents can help spread information and support marketing in regenerative finance projects.

Prior to this edition, I had made a post criticising ReFAI, stating that it was purely hype and so when I asked Jimi on the space for potential use cases of ReFAI Agents, he gave me two: visibility and marketing. Given that most ReFi projects are running in survival mode, they might not have adequate funding to hire marketing and support professionals to create successful visibility strategies which could likely lead to higher donations in grant funding rounds. With AI agents, these projects may likely be able to bootstrap these different roles successfully.

There is a potential for AI to create a net positive impact on the environment despite its energy consumption.

An attendee of the space raised a question about the irony of AI models consuming enormous amounts of energy while also driving climate action. In response, Jimi acknowledged that while AI models require significant computing power, their potential to generate positive environmental impact could outweigh the costs. He explained that AI agents can facilitate large-scale tree planting, educate communities about sustainability, and optimize ecological restoration efforts. If properly designed, AI tools can offset their footprint by driving collective action toward climate-positive outcomes.

The rise of AI in industry sectors is inevitable, and integration into ReFi is critical for the success of a regenerative renaissance.

Referring back to my post criticizing AI in ReFi, Jimi noted that AI is advancing rapidly across various industries, and it is only a matter of time before it becomes more prevalent in the ReFi space. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of intentionally adopting AI in ways that align with ReFi practices. He added that those leading regenerative efforts must actively engage with AI to ensure it serves sustainability goals rather than exacerbating environmental harm. Jimi believes that if builders in the ReFi sector take an active role in shaping AI’s integration, they can help guide the next wave of technological advancements toward a regenerative renaissance.

Ethical use of AI is crucial; we must establish guidelines to prevent unintended harm.

As AI systems become more autonomous, ethical considerations must be at the forefront of their development. AI-driven decision-making can influence resource allocation and economic flows, making it essential to establish safeguards that align with sustainability and equity. Transparent governance, accountability measures, and alignment with regenerative principles will help prevent unintended consequences.

AI agents must be leveraged to scale sustainable practices effectively and reach broader audiences.

To achieve meaningful impact, Jimi pointed out that ReFi must scale beyond its current echo chamber into other communities and ecosystems, and AI can be a powerful enabler. By automating outreach, onboarding, and education, AI can help accelerate ReFi. The challenge lies in ensuring that these tools actually drive real-world action.

My conversation with Jimi about the future of ReFAI—AI agents in ReFi—highlighted a dilemma that many ReFi thought leaders and builders, including myself, face: how to leverage AI while considering its environmental impact in accelerating ecological and social progress. This discussion made me realize that viewing disruptive technologies like blockchain and AI in extremes isn’t the right approach. I truly appreciate Jimi for joining ReFi Weekly and sharing his insights. On a personal level, he has set an ambitious goal of planting a billion trees by June 2025, and I can’t wait to see it come to life.