In the realm of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain stand as powerful tools, each with their own cultural movements and power structures. While they may seem flexible, their fundamental intentions are deeply embedded in their structures, much like a knife is made to cut and a hammer to smash. In this article, we will explore the intentions behind AI and Blockchain, their intersection, and the potential for creation that arises from their clash.
AI: A Tool for Central Control
AI, as a technology, is shaped for central control. Since its inception in 1955, AI has been developed in a black box, behind closed doors. Only recently have open-source technologies allowed for the forking, coding, and development of personalised models and applications. The potential transformation of AI into Collective Intelligence hinges on our ability to dissect and reconstruct the current paradigm. This transformation requires a candid assessment of the status quo, acknowledging the extent to which AI has been fed with vast amounts of data from every corner of human digital interaction.
The data fuelling AI is staggering—from the captchas we solve to the photos we share, the selfie-movement and even the sensitive information inadvertently leaked from institutions. The internet, it seems, has been a breeding ground for AI, a ravenous entity largely controlled by a handful of powerful corporations. This centralisation of AI's development and application raises significant concerns about transparency, control, and the future direction of this technology. If AI stays only in the hands of those that know our behaviour patterns better than we do ourselves, the pathway for mass manipulation is to wide. And we would never "dance like nobody is watching" without information stimulus being always one step ahead. That is not freedom, its merely dancing on a pre-paved road. You have the illusion you are free, but in fact you are just moving on the paths the manipulated expectations of your mind has created.
We do need to be very aware that the same parties that have an interest in AI being blackbox, are the ones in charge of regulation of (competing) open source projects. Legal openness and understanding what laws and regulations means for the freedom to develop technology in a diverse matter, is essential for its future.
Blockchain: A Tool for Decentralisation
Blockchain, on the other hand, was created with the opposite intent: to decentralize central control, particularly in the financial realm, which remains a potent instrument of power. Blockchain's inherent design promotes transparency and security, creating a self-sustaining value system exemplified by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Yet it has been used for the opposite too. And we can not decouple blockchain for true decentralisation from teh infrastructure that we use. Amazon servers are used so many times by projects that have the aspiration to be decentralised. that is why in this article I couple blockchain to peer-to-peer networks. Since centralised servers defy the essence of decentralisation in which case blockchain applications become very vulnerable. The power of POW systems is that the decentralised (but increasingly dominated by big big huge investors with data centers) hardware is still an important aspect of creating the network.
However, the question remains: can blockchain resist being co-opted for centralised control, and can AI truly become an open-source, accessible technology?
The Intersection of AI and Blockchain
It was Audrey Tang that sparked something in me by her saying that where there are two forces against each-other there exists a unique opportunity for creation. Like two earth plaques collide and a mountain is created. It made me think about the intersection of AI and Blockchain and how it presents a fascinating opportunity for creation. Although their essences clash, the collision of these two technologies can lead to the creation of something new and unexpected. The key is to recognise this opportunity and consciously choose how to use these technologies to decide their direction. Open source AI applications, models and architecture is moving incredible fast, and even the scacety of skilled developers is not limiting the speed that small startups in teh space take up. Lean small teams sharing knowledge and code in a phase that teh giants have a hard time keeoing up. Luckly open source became a trend word. Since the demand for opening up a technology that is so powerfull, comes from individuals and companies alike. When concepts like these become trend words, there is always caution to be had on their true application. Like Web3 & blockchain became "trendy". Core principles are overlooked sometimes, and I urge you to investigate a bit before trusting any trend words. That aside, AI is only starting to become open, but the speed in which it occurs gives me hope. companies and projects that came from the early blockchain, with all the core values in place are embracing the new tech and developers seem to work with even more purpose driven projects. movements like that can shift a mentality toward the development approach. And its not the lone geek tech guy/girl, its now communities in shape of DAO's that are strong aligned on core values, that are taking up the challenge to make AI assessable and open.
On the other hand, the mindset and values are shifting. Just like when phisical crafting of products became industrialised. as a result, handcrafts became more valuable. Industrialised fabricated plates versus artistic handmade bowls of ceramic. analogue photography, vinyls with the entry of CD's increase even more in value. Their price difference, and therefore perceived value, is tenfold. Within the digital realm, where now everything by default can be AI generated, content is just an infinite resource. And human curation of this data, is the added value. Data is in abundance, its almost like a resource that will only gain value when its handled curated and woven by humans, within human criteria and wisdom. In all its diversity.
To decentralize this curated knowledge base we need blockchain and peer-to-peer structures. And for everything else, decentralised AI as a tool to be used and created by everyone, open and transparent. Locally and globally. I do not pretend to know where it is al going, neither on how it can be used in the future. I only know that breaking it open has the best chances of diversification and if OpenAI's become ClosedAI's its heading for a secret dominant monopoly. That never works out, unless you are a stakeholder.
A Vision for the Future
In my vision, I see AI and Blockchain working together to create a decentralised Library of Alexandria, where human-curated content is available to everyone transparently on the blockchain on peer-to peer networks, and AI is assisting in the accessibility of this data and knowledge, crossing cultures and advancing society. Where everyone has a local AI running according to its own preferences. where models are as diverse as human cultures are.
We are just four people working on it, and still be able to build a powerful LLM on great scalable infrastructure architecture that can handle big datasets. I would love to see more projects taking on this challenge, and give a voice to advocates in the legal realm to make sure AI is open, transparent, and accessible for everyone.
In this utopia, there is a place for a new Library of Alexandria, a decentralized one. Libraries like these are found in unlikely places, like for example, Minecraft already started with its uncensored Library. We need only more of those initiatives, (ideally not owned by microsoft) but also the infrastructure to truly manage data decentralized.
Conclusion
AI and Blockchain are powerful tools that can be used for central control or decentralisation. As builders and users, we need to choose consciously how to use these technologies, ensuring they are open, transparent, and accessible to everyone. By recognizing the opportunity in their collision, we can create something new and unexpected, advancing society and promoting a decentralized and collaborative mindset.
At CitizenLab, we are developing an AI and Blockchain tools built on open-source principles, embracing a multi-model (Plurality) approach. Our goal is to be part of the library of Alexandria, where everyone can share and find knowledge. Private and Free.
