If you’ve worked in DevRel for traditional dev tools (APIs, infra, SaaS), jumping into AI or Web3 is like switching to a different game entirely.
I’ve been living in this world, and here’s the truth: DevRel here is more than just docs and DX (Developer Experience) — it’s education, trust-building, and legit community shaping.
Here’s what makes DevRel in AI and Blockchain startups different — and why it matters more than people think 
1. You’re Not Just Teaching a Tool — You’re Teaching a Whole New Paradigm
In AI, you’re helping devs rethink how to build:
LLMs, prompt engineering, fine-tuning, embeddings — this stuff didn’t even exist in most stacks 2 years ago.
In Web3, you’re explaining wallets, signing, smart contracts, gas fees… to people used to centralized systems.
DevRel here is 80% education, 20% product.
2. Skepticism Is High — You’re Also a Trust Builder
A lot of devs are burned out on hype (especially in crypto). They’ve seen rug pulls, broken promises, and overhyped AI demos.
If you’re doing DevRel in this space, your job is proving your project isn’t vaporware.
That means:
- Clear roadmaps
- Honest answers in Discord
- Transparent docs
- Real working examples
3. Everything Is Moving Way Too Fast
AI frameworks update weekly. Web3 protocols hard fork while you’re still updating your last tutorial.
You need to:
- Ship content fast
- Stay plugged into community convos
- Be okay with some docs going out of date in a week
Speed matters more than polish here.
4. Community Is the Moat
In early-stage AI and Web3, your developer community is your distribution.
If you can turn your early users into champions — people who:
- Ship on your stack
- Speak at events
- Answer questions for othersThat’s your growth engine.
You’re not just “helping developers” — you’re empowering your first believers.
5. Your Role Isn’t Just Technical — It’s Strategic
In these spaces, DevRel often drives product feedback, brand tone, go-to-market motion, even hiring.
Startups here are lean, so DevRel = Swiss Army knife.
TL;DR:
Doing DevRel for AI or Blockchain isn’t just about better docs or DX.
It’s about education, speed, trust, and building a movement before the product even stabilizes.
It’s not easy — but it’s probably the most impactful DevRel work you’ll ever do.