AI+Web3: Towers and Squares

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, the combination of AI and Web3 is becoming a hot topic in the tech industry. This article will explore the opportunities and challenges brought about by the intersection of these two major technological fields.

Opportunities of Web3 in the AI Field

Base Layer: Sharing Economy of Computing Power and Data

Hash Rate

The high costs of AI training and inference have driven the rise of decentralized computing power sharing platforms. These platforms allow owners of idle GPU resources to contribute computing power in a decentralized manner, improving resource utilization through an online marketplace similar to Airbnb. Representative projects include io.net, Aethir, and Akash.

This model mainly focuses on the long-tail market of AI computing power, making it more suitable for inference steps rather than large-scale training. Decentralized ownership ensures that resource providers retain control over the resources.

Data

Data is the foundation of AI. Web3 solutions in the data field include:

1. Data Collection: Obtain more private and valuable user data through incentive mechanisms. Such as projects like Grass, Vana, etc.

2. Data preprocessing: Using decentralized incentive mechanisms for tasks such as data labeling, etc. For example, Synesis, Sapien, etc.

3. Data Privacy and Security: Utilizing technologies such as TEE, FHE, and ZK to protect sensitive data.

4. Data Storage: Address the throughput issue of on-chain storage of AI data, such as 0g.AI.

Middleware: Model Training and Inference

Decentralized Market for Open Source Models

Web3 proposes the concept of a decentralized open-source model marketplace, retaining earnings for teams through tokenization to incentivize development. Representative projects include Bittensor, ORA, Sentient, etc.

Verifiable Reasoning

Web3 technologies such as zkML, opML, and TeeML aim to address the "black box" problem in AI inference processes, enhancing transparency and trustworthiness.

Application Layer: AI Agent

Web3 brings decentralized and cold start solutions for AI Agents. Projects like Virtual Protocol and Spectral explore token issuance and financing models for AI Agents.

AI Empowering the Direction of Web3

On-chain Finance

AI Agents are expected to become the future of on-chain finance, playing a role in information gathering, asset management, and user experience. Projects like Bitte and Wayfinder are attempting to develop AI-driven on-chain operational tools.

AI can also be used to enhance on-chain transaction security, such as security platforms like SeQure and AI-powered Sentinel.

On-chain infrastructure

AI plays an important role in on-chain data analysis, development assistance, and smart contract auditing. Tools such as Web3 Analytics, MinMax AI, Kaito for data analysis, as well as development and auditing platforms like Spectral and Fuzzland.

Web3 New Narrative

AI brings new possibilities to Web3 fields such as NFT, GameFi, and DAO, including generative NFTs, AI-driven game content, and intelligent DAO governance.

The Significance of AI+Web3 Integration

The combination of AI and Web3 is akin to the relationship between "towers and squares." AI represents highly centralized technological capabilities, while Web3 is committed to building a decentralized ecosystem. The integration of the two is expected to achieve a fairer and more transparent distribution mechanism while maintaining technological innovation.

The inherent properties of Web3 can enhance AI systems, such as achieving transparent execution through smart contracts, coordinating participant behavior through token economies, and preventing bias and manipulation through decentralized governance. At the same time, AI also brings new vitality to Web3, lowering the barriers to entry and expanding application scenarios.

Although AI and Web3 have different development trajectories, their ultimate goal is to better serve humanity. We look forward to seeing the profound impact that the synergistic development of AI+Web3 will bring to technology and society.