A recent Harris poll, commissioned by crypto venture firm Digital Currency Group (DCG), indicates that nearly three-quarters of surveyed Americans believe decentralized artificial intelligence is more likely to support innovation and progress compared to a centralized counterpart.
The poll, which surveyed 2,036 Americans aged 18 and over, revealed that 56% favored decentralized AI, while a significant 77% viewed it as “more beneficial to society overall.”
According to Julie Stitzel, DCG’s policy vice president, “Three-quarters of Americans agree that the transformative power of AI would benefit more people if it wasn’t consolidated in the hands of a few major players.”
The poll also highlighted concerns about centralized AI, with 67% of respondents suggesting it’s more likely to be biased. Additionally, 63% expressed concerns that centralized AI is more likely to benefit Big Tech companies rather than the average person and is more prone to misuse user data.
Decentralized AI gains traction
In response to the growing dominance of Big Tech in AI, industry leaders and AI experts are increasingly emphasizing the importance of decentralized AI.
Chris Miglino, co-founder and CEO of DNA Fund, suggests that decentralized AI models have the potential to become bigger than Bitcoin.
Last week, Ben Goertzel, the founder and CEO of SingularityNET, shared his long-held belief that AI should be decentralized, a conviction dating back to the 90s.
Goertzel further emphasized that for artificial general intelligence (AGI) – a hypothetical AI model with human-level intelligence – to truly benefit humanity, it must be decentralized from its very foundation.
Earlier this month, Thinkagents.ai, an AI agent protocol, launched a new open-source framework designed for building on-chain agents that can operate autonomously across decentralized networks. This protocol has already garnered adoption from over 70 crypto firms, including prominent names like Yuga Labs and Magic Eden.
On May 5, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced the stablecoin issuer’s plans to launch an AI platform with integrated support for Tether’s USDT and BTC payments.
Quick Summary of the News
- DCG commissioned a Harris poll surveying over 2,000 Americans on their views of decentralized vs. centralized AI.
- 56% of respondents favor decentralized AI, with 77% believing it’s more beneficial to society.
- 67% believe centralized AI is more likely to be biased.
- Key industry players are advocating for decentralized AI to counter Big Tech dominance.
- Tether plans to launch an AI platform with USDT and BTC payment support.
Why It Matters
This poll highlights a growing public sentiment towards decentralized technologies, extending beyond cryptocurrencies and into the realm of artificial intelligence. The concerns raised about bias, data misuse, and the concentration of power in Big Tech reflect a broader desire for more equitable and transparent technological development.
Market Impact
The increasing interest in decentralized AI could drive investment and development in blockchain-based AI projects. We might see increased funding for projects like SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Protocol, which are working on decentralized AI solutions. This trend could also lead to new tokenomics models designed to incentivize participation in decentralized AI networks.
Expert Take
The results of this poll are not surprising. People are becoming increasingly aware of the potential downsides of centralized control over powerful technologies like AI. Decentralization offers a compelling alternative, promising greater transparency, fairness, and user control. However, the decentralized AI space is still nascent, and significant challenges remain in terms of scalability, security, and governance.
Actionable Insight
Traders and investors should keep a close eye on the development of decentralized AI projects and the regulatory landscape surrounding AI. Projects that prioritize ethical considerations, data privacy, and community governance are likely to gain more traction in the long run. It’s also crucial to research the underlying technology and tokenomics of any decentralized AI project before investing.
Conclusion
The DCG poll underscores a growing demand for decentralized alternatives to centralized AI systems. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, expect to see further innovation and investment in decentralized AI projects, driven by the desire for more equitable and transparent technological solutions.