Author: Chris Dixon, Partner at a16z, Head of a16z crypto; Compiled by: 0xjs@Jinse Finance
Doomsayers are wrong. AI will not end the world—but it will end the internet as we know it.
AI has disrupted the core economic contract of the internet that has existed since the advent of search: a few companies (primarily Google) create demand, while creators provide supply (and get some ad revenue or recognition from it). AI tools have generated and summarized content, allowing users to engage without clicking into content providers' websites, thus breaking the balance.
Meanwhile, the proliferation of AI-driven deep fakes and bots will lead us to question what is real, diminishing people's trust in the online world. As large tech companies that can afford the most data and computing power continue to invest in AI, they will become even more powerful, further closing off the remaining parts of the open internet.
Technological progress is inevitable. I call attention to this not to shout that the sky is falling, or to hinder progress. We need to help individual users gain some control over their digital lives. Thoughtful government regulation might help, but it could also slow down innovation. And trying to adopt a one-size-fits-all solution could create as many problems as it solves. Let's face it, users are not going to give up their online lives. So what can we do?
Major technological movements are often advancing simultaneously—think of the rise of social networking, cloud computing, and mobile computing in the 21st century. This time is no exception: AI needs blockchain-supported computing. Why?
First, blockchain can enforce ownership. Blockchain can make credible commitments involving property, spending, and power. A decentralized computer network (rather than large companies or any other centralized intermediaries) verifies transactions, ensuring that rules and records cannot be changed without consensus. Smart contracts automate and enforce these ownerships, creating a system that ensures transparency, security, and trust, allowing users to fully control and own their digital lives. For creators, this means the ability to decide how others (including AI systems) can use their works.
Another fundamental ownership that blockchain can enforce is identity. If your identity is as you claim, you can sign a cryptographic statement to prove it. We can carry our identities on the internet without relying on third parties. On-chain identity can also help distinguish real users from bots and impersonators. In the 90s, nobody on the internet knew you were a dog. Now, people can know whether you are a dog or a bot. In the coming years, thanks to recent technological advancements, we will see more 'human proof' on the internet.
Blockchain can also create tamper-proof records of digital content to prevent deep fakes. When creating videos, photos, or recordings, blockchain can store a unique digital fingerprint. Any change to the content alters that signature, making tampering easily detectable. Blockchain can also store metadata and verify proofs from trusted sources, further ensuring the authenticity of the content.
Finally, blockchain can help realize the original ideals of the internet, helping it remain creative, open, and diverse. Currently, users rely on a handful of internet giants—these giants have invested heavily in AI (and are pushing for regulations to prevent smaller competitors from entering). Once-open websites and applications have added paywalls, restricted or shut down APIs, deleted archives, edited past content without permission, and added intrusive banners and ads. Blockchain alternatives offer more choices, open-source innovation, and community control options. They will raise the torch for an open internet. Cryptocurrencies can take power away from big tech companies and return it to users.