#write2earn NEAR Protocol's Initiative to Drive Native AI Infrastructure Development

$NEAR #NearProtocol #NEAR🚀🚀🚀 #AI

NEAR, a Layer 1 blockchain, has embarked on an initiative to incubate and invest in native AI infrastructure, aiming to establish itself as the premier ecosystem for next-generation AI research and applications.

NEAR's Vision for AI

Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, envisions creating "the best ecosystem for the next generation of AI research and applications." NEAR Protocol, originally conceived as an AI company, transitioned to blockchain and payments solutions early in its development.

Now, it focuses on leveraging synergies between these technologies.

User-Owned AI: A Collaborative Alternative

NEAR Protocol advocates for user-owned AI, offering a collaborative alternative to the centralized control of data and information prevalent in Web2. Polosukhin emphasized the importance of decentralization, stating, “We do not want to live in a world where a few mega-corporations control the most powerful human resource: intelligence.”

$NEAR Token Performance

Following the announcement, NEAR's native token, $NEAR, experienced a 3.5% rally, marking a 400% increase in value over the past year.

NEAR Foundation's Role

The NEAR Foundation, led by Polosukhin and co-founder Alex Skidanov, will provide investment and incubation services for AI-related research and applications. NEAR aims to attract top talent in AI development to propel the user-owned AI movement on a global scale. Its equity-free accelerator program, Horizon, is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cohort starting in September 2024.

Conclusion

NEAR's initiative to foster native AI infrastructure underscores its commitment to advancing decentralized technology and empowering users in the AI space. As NEAR continues to innovate and collaborate with top builders in AI development, the future of user-owned AI looks promising within its ecosystem.