By decentralising AI, individuals and nation states can control how their data is used rather than a handful of dominant companies. Chris Price reports:
You would have to be living under a rock not to be aware of the growing impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having on all our lives. Everything we do is now influenced by AI, from the insurance prices we are quoted to the medications we take to the recommendations we are served up on social media and streaming services. Even the content we consume is increasingly likely to be created by Generative AI.
Of course, as with any technology, it’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, AI promises to boost business productivity and drive greater efficiency while AI-enabled devices such as smartphones are increasingly becoming personal assistants in our pockets, helping to save us both time and money.
However, on the other hand, AI has the power to destroy trust in organisations, including businesses and governments, by spreading misinformation and disinformation and making it easier for cybercriminals to steal data from individuals and companies.
Empowering individuals and nations
So how do we counter this threat? While forthcoming AI legislation, such as the groundbreaking EU AI Act, can help, another solution is the decentralisation of the technology itself. Instead, of a handful of dominant corporations such as ChatGPT and Microsoft controlling AI models and data, in a decentralised system AI is both developed and deployed in a distributed manner, often leveraging technologies such as distributed ledgers (ie. blockchain) as well as decentralised cloud computing infrastructure.
Clearly at the heart of what’s referred to as ‘digital sovereignty’ is the control of our data. Typically, in a centralised system, data is stored in a central repository in the cloud which can be particularly vulnerable to both hacking and misuse. However, in a decentralised system, data is distributed across a network of nodes, making it much more difficult to access or compromise. This, in turn, can help protect the privacy of individuals and organisations, in turn making sensitive data much more secure.
Helping to build trust
Another benefit of the decentralisation of AI is that it helps to increase trust in a technology which is understandably viewed by many with great suspicion. That’s because machine learning models often rely on ‘black box’ algorithms which are notoriously opaque and difficult to interpret. As a result, even the companies which implement these systems are unsure how the results have been arrived at, making it difficult to spot data breaches or anomalies when they occur.
Conversely, in a decentralised AI system the decision-making process is much more transparent as each node in the network can see how the other nodes are making decisions. This, in turn, can help to ensure that AI systems are used in a responsible and ethical way, reducing the concerns many people have over the way AI systems have been implemented.
Fostering greater innovation
For futurist Eric Bravick, CEO and Founder of The Lifted Initiative, decentralised technologies are the key to a future rooted in transparency and shared control. “Centralised AI systems risk consolidating power in the hands of the few, undermining individual liberty and national sovereignty,” he says. “Decentralisation is the only viable path forward.”
Furthermore, the decentralisation of AI can help to create much great levels of innovation. Whereas in a centralised system a few large companies have the monopoly on AI technology, making it difficult for smaller companies to compete, in a decentralised system anyone can contribute to the development of AI algorithms, helping to spark much greater creativity and competition.
Democratising data
Decentralising AI is not just about technology; it’s about empowering individuals and organisations to take control of their data for equity in the digital world. For example, Descrybe.AI is leveraging Generative AI to democratise access to legal information, simplifying complex legal concepts for professionals and laypeople alike. Co-founder Kara Peterson explains: “Decentralised AI is about equity and accessibility, ensuring everyone has the tools to navigate a complex digital world.”
Additionally, The Lifted Initiative’s flagship service, The Manifest Network is building decentralised AI infrastructure for businesses, offering advisory services alongside support in fundraising, marketing, and product development. These initiatives exemplify how decentralised systems are creating opportunities for innovation and enhancing trust in AI technologies.
However, decentralisation is not without its challenges. Distributing data and processing across multiple nodes can create latency and performance issues, especially as networks grow. Furthermore, with the technology still in its infancy, robust legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as consensus mechanisms, are critical to ensuring security, trust, and ethical operation.
Conclusion
As with all technologies, AI is bringing both positives and negatives to our increasingly digitised world. However, by decentralising its infrastructure, individuals and nation states can become masters of their own data, rather than digital sovereignty being held by a handful of dominant companies. Concludes The Lifted Initiative’s Eric Bravick: “In a decentralized system, the origin of data is as critical as the data itself, establishing ownership that consumers can trust and control. A decentralised digital future is not just possible, it’s necessary.”
