The rapidly growing convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain promises to transform how AI technologies are developed, used and monetized, ensuring their benefits are made available to everyone.
To date, the most powerful AI models developed today, such as OpenAI’s GPT models, Anthropic’s Claude and Meta Platform’s Llama 3, are controlled by powerful corporations with vast resources. That’s because these models demand immense computing power, enormous amounts of data and substantial funding that’s unavailable to smaller companies and individual developers, limiting the ability of smaller players to compete.
The downside of this has already become apparent, as the most powerful AI tools are already inaccessible to the vast majority, with their creators demanding users pay for “credits” to access them.
But with blockchain, this will change, and more people will be able to contribute. The emergence of decentralized AI frameworks supports a greater diversity of contributors to the AI industry, enabling everyone to participate in this exciting and dynamic technology landscape. And with more contributors in the AI space, we will hopefully see the paywalls that have sprung up to access this technology quickly crumble away.
How can AI be decentralized?
By integrating AI with blockchain, it’s possible to democratize access to both the development of AI models and the use of the applications that leverage them. Decentralized AI frameworks can facilitate collaborative development of large language models, as well as secure and transparent access to those models, plus the underlying data that’s used to train them.
By decentralizing these areas, the industry is expanding the opportunities for anyone with AI skills to contribute to the technology’s development. In addition, the transparency of blockchain can ensure that the data used to train new LLMs is verifiable and traceable, paving the way for fair compensation and reducing the risks of AI bias or manipulation.
For everyday users, decentralized AI-powered tools such as chatbots, image generators and predictive software will become more accessible, and either free or very affordable to use. It will likely increase the penetration of AI in our everyday lives.
Just as important, blockchain enables new ways for AI projects to seek funding. By tokenizing AI models, the infrastructure that runs them and the data used to train them, it’s possible for individuals to invest in the future of AI, and obtain a share of the future revenues generated by these technologies. Decentralized AI supports the community ownership of AI, making it a more inclusive technology that reflects a more diverse range of needs.
Most of all, decentralization can lay the groundwork for more widespread adoption of AI. The potential of AI is clear enough, with almost three-quarters of businesses implementing the technology in at least one use case thus far, and 64% reporting that it increases their productivity. If AI becomes more accessible, it stands to reason that even more businesses, and individuals, will want to use it.
Who is decentralizing AI?
While private companies have taken an early lead in generative AI, there are a number of players who are laying the foundations of decentralized frameworks that will change the game.
One of the most promising developers involves a recent partnership between Kite AI and GAIB, who plan to collaborate on a decentralized AI ecosystem that will make high-quality AI models, data and computing resources accessible to AI researchers. Their ecosystem will be built on the blockchain, ensuring secure and transparent data indexing. The blockchain will also support a decentralized marketplace through which anyone can access computing infrastructure, such as graphic processing units, at lower costs.
In this partnership, Kite AI provides a coordination layer that integrates blockchain with powerful AI computing resources, as well as enormous datasets for training AI, and pre-built foundational LLMs and AI agents.
Meanwhile, GAIB provides access to compute infrastructure through its tokenized GPUs, which are a novel asset class backed by genuine demand. With GAIB, anyone can invest in its tokenized GPUs, which are a yield-bearing asset that generates revenue from those who utilize the resources. Ultimately, Kite AI and GAIB aim to build an ecosystem that supports the monetization of AI assets through DeFi tools such as GPU-backed stablecoins and lending markets. By transforming illiquid GPUs into a liquid asset, GAIB is creating new financial opportunities that anyone can participate in.
That’s just one innovative project, but there are many other movers and shakers in decentralized AI. For instance, ORA Protocol is pioneering the concept of “Initial Model Offerings” or IMOs, which involves tokenizing AI models so people can invest in them. It leverages blockchain as the foundation of a marketplace where transparent, collaboratively-developed AI models can be bought and sold by anyone.
ORA’s technology is the foundation of an AI chatbot called ChatOLM, which leverages decentralized and distributed GPUs for inference. It’s accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and because it’s built on the blockchain it’s also censorship-resistent, showcasing how decentralized AI applications can better support free speech.
Other emerging players include Sentient, which is focused on providing enterprises with blockchain-based tools for the secure, scalable and collaborative Ai development. Meanwhile Sahara AI has built a decentralized AI blockchain to host an open and collaborative AI economy. It provides a way for individuals to monetize their personal knowledge by making it available for AI training, encouraging everyone to participate in this new economy.
The Future of AI and Blockchain
Decentralized AI is setting the stage for a future in which AI applications are more inclusive, more accessible and more secure. By reducing the barrier to AI development, it will foster collaboration on a global scale, enabling anyone with a vision to put their ideas into practice, no matter where in the world they live. It will transform the AI industry from one where innovation is driven by a handful of corporations to a place where anyone can succeed.
The impact of more accessible AI models will be immense, transforming everything from healthcare and education to government and smart cities. It will put more advanced AI tools into the hands of everyone, rather than limiting access to those who can afford to use them. Doing this is key, for most of the world’s most powerful AI models are already sitting behind paywalls, where they only benefit their creators and people with money to pay.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.