What is Decentralized AI?

Decentralized AI is a type of AI solution that combines artificial intelligence systems with blockchain technology. This integration brings the benefits of decentralization, transparency, and blockchain-driven incentive mechanisms to AI development. Blockchain’s distributed ledgers enable AI developers to distribute pre-built machine learning (ML) models to user’s devices. Then, these devices can act as autonomous agents carrying out AI inference tasks locally, either as an independent entity or as part of a coordinated connected network.

Key Aspects of Decentralized AI

Distributed Computing Power: Traditional AI models are developed and maintained by a single entity, while decentralized AI leverages the distributed computing power of a network of nodes. This can mitigate the risk of a single point of failure.

Incentive Mechanisms: Decentralized AI networks can use blockchain-based incentive mechanisms such as token rewards to motivate communities to contribute their computational resources, data, and expertise.

Transparency and Auditability: Blockchain technology ensures that all actions within the network—transactions, data inputs, and computational processes—are transparent and permanently recorded on a public ledger. This feature enhances the auditability and trustworthiness of the AI systems.

Decentralized Governance: Decentralized AI can utilize blockchain-based decentralized governance models, such as DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), to make decisions about AI development.

Problems of the Current Centralized AI Model

The main problem with centralized AI is the concentration of power and control over AI technologies in the hands of a few large tech companies. Large tech companies can effectively control access to and adoption of AI technologies, acting as gatekeepers. They can restrict access to their AI models, algorithms, and services for certain countries, companies, individuals, or use cases they deem inappropriate, giving them immense power to shape societal norms and individual behaviors.

Examples of Decentralized AI

Bittensor

Bittensor is the leading decentralized AI project. It aims to create a decentralized machine learning marketplace where decentralized AI applications can be built and directly compete with centralized AI project such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The network consists of nodes (miners) that contribute computational resources for training and running AI models.

SingularityNET

SingularityNET is a decentralized marketplace for AI services. It aims to create a global AI brain on the blockchain, enabling the development of more sophisticated and powerful AI applications. The platform allows users to buy, sell, and trade AI services, promoting collaboration and innovation in the field.

Ocean Protocol 

Ocean Protocol is a decentralized platform for the exchange of data and data-based AI models. It ensures privacy and control for users by utilizing blockchain technology, allowing them to manage their data and AI models securely and transparently.