Open Problems in DAOs

Joshua Tan; Tara Merk; Sarah Hubbard; Eliza R. Oak; Helena Rong; Joni Pirovich; Ellie Rennie; Rolf Hoefer; Michael Zargham; Jason Potts; Chris Berg; Reuben Youngblom; Primavera De Filippi; Seth Frey; Jeff Strnad; Morshed Mannan; Kelsie Nabben; Silke Noa Elrifai; Jake Hartnell; Benjamin Mako Hill; Tobin South; Ryan L. Thomas; Jonathan Dotan; Ariana Spring; Alexia Maddox; Woojin Lim; Kevin Owocki; Ari Juels; Dan Boneh

arXiv · 2310.19201

Open Problems in DAOs

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Abstract

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are a new, rapidly-growing class of organizations governed by smart contracts. Here we describe how researchers can contribute to the emerging science of DAOs and other digitally-constituted organizations. From granular privacy primitives to mechanism designs to model laws, we identify high-impact problems in the DAO ecosystem where existing gaps might be tackled through a new data set or by applying tools and ideas from existing research fields such as political science, computer science, economics, law, and organizational science. Our recommendations encompass exciting research questions as well as promising business opportunities. We call on the wider research community to join the global effort to invent the next generation of organizations.

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Joshua Tan, Tara Merk, Sarah Hubbard, Eliza R. Oak, Helena Rong, Joni Pirovich, Ellie Rennie, Rolf Hoefer, Michael Zargham, Jason Potts, Chris Berg, Reuben Youngblom, Primavera De Filippi, Seth Frey, Jeff Strnad, Morshed Mannan, Kelsie Nabben, Silke Noa Elrifai, Jake Hartnell, Benjamin Mako Hill, Tobin South, Ryan L. Thomas, Jonathan Dotan, Ariana Spring, Alexia Maddox, Woojin Lim, Kevin Owocki, Ari Juels, Dan Boneh. 2023-10-29. Open Problems in DAOs. https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.19201

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