AI-First, Human-Centric: Sandy Carter's Vision for the Future Web

Carter isn't merely discussing the future of the internet; she's actively contributing to its development. Having held executive positions at companies like IBM and Amazon, Carter is currently at the cutting edge of Web3 technology. She plays a pivotal role in shaping how aspects such as digital identity, artificial intelligence, and privacy progress together.

“I began my journey with a startup, moved on to IBM, returned to the startup world, then joined Amazon, and now I find myself here once more,” Carter remarks. “This pattern has imparted an important lesson: to navigate through changes effectively, one requires both structure and disruption.”

Carter is no stranger to disruption. At Amazon, she worked on cloud services and evaluated blockchain opportunities before most had even wrapped their heads around decentralized tech. But it wasn’t Bitcoin that drew her in.

"For me, blockchain started with enterprise use cases," she says. "Supply chains, financial ledgers, hospitals using it for logistics. That’s where it clicked."

Currently, as the COO of Unstoppable Domains, Carter is dedicated to a single objective: enabling individuals to have control over their digital identities.

She clarifies, 'We began with a basic idea: replace cryptocurrency wallet addresses with user-friendly names. Similar to how we once typed IP addresses before using URLs. Currently, our system handles between 10 and 30 million wallet resolution requests daily.'

The debut of the .privacy domain has proven remarkably successful, becoming the quickest-selling top-level domain (TLD) on the Base blockchain platform within just one day, with 1,000 registrations secured. This achievement can be attributed to increased public consciousness according to Carter. She emphasizes, “Privacy is not merely an option now; it’s essential.”

The .privacy domain is more than just an appealing title; it’s a declaration of purpose. This platform incorporates encrypted communications, decentralized identities, and support for over 200 different types of digital currencies. Most crucially, however, it provides individuals complete authority over their data sharing decisions and who gets access to them.

“I desire privacy wherein I maintain control over my data, deciding who gets access, for how long, and with what intent,” states Carter. “While blockchain provides this groundwork, we must add an additional layer of confidentiality.”

The initiative is supported by Women in Web3 Privacy, a nonprofit collective championing privacy-first tools and education. Carter sees this as both a technological and cultural movement. "This is about digital sovereignty. We’re not just building products. We’re empowering people."

That same philosophy runs through her book, " AI First, Human Always ." A field guide for business leaders navigating the age of superintelligence, it breaks down seven macro-trends in AI, from tokenization to multimodal agents, while offering a very human take on leadership.

"AI is moving fast, and leaders need to speak its language," Carter says. "But the point isn’t to compete with machines. It’s to lead with emotional intelligence, ethics, and creativity."

The title isn't merely intriguing; it serves as a manifesto. Carter is committed to the synergy between humans and technology.

Indeed, certain repetitive tasks will be automated. However, we'll advance to higher-level work. Strategy, appreciation, and emotional intelligence—these skills remain distinctly human.

She cites the World Economic Forum’s prediction: 170 million new positions generated, 92 million roles eliminated, and more than a billion jobs that will necessitate proficiency with artificial intelligence. "AI will enhance rather than supplant many occupations within the mid-range of the job spectrum; this presents a substantial opportunity."

For an AI-first approach, Carter discloses that she has incorporated AI agents to assist book readers.

By purchasing the book, you'll receive an AI agent that has been trained using its content. I continuously update her to ensure she remains relevant. This is the best approach to stay informed.

When asked about gender in Web3, Carter is quick to respond. “Diversity of thought is essential,” she asserts. “It’s not only about gender or race; even people from the same university can end up with similar perspectives.”

She established the Unstoppable Women of Web3 and AI Hub to tackle this shortage. Currently, the organization has educated more than 55,000 women and collaborated with 220 groups.

The problem isn’t merely a matter of pipelines. It’s about establishing secure, supportive environments.

For Carter, legacy isn't merely about developing technology; it's about nurturing individuals.

She remarks, 'I wish to be recalled as someone who extended a hand backward to help others advance farther.' Also, 'as someone who assisted individuals in grasping how to leverage technology for generating impact rather than merely constructing it.'

Amidst privacy-invading sales data, artificial intelligence transforming our work processes, and distributed identities becoming more prominent, Carter is forging the future of the web, an era where individuals won't merely be consumers of tech but will instead possess control over it themselves.