Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has recently delved into the relationship between cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI), advising caution when navigating their intersection.
In a blog post released on Tuesday, Buterin sheds light on the key challenges arising from the convergence of these two influential technological trends from the past decade. He also elucidates what he believes holds the most promise for the developer community.
Buterin emphasizes the necessity for a connection between crypto and AI, stating that “there must be some kind of connection between crypto and AI.” He further elaborates on the subject, noting that “with the advent of significantly more potent AI and the simultaneous growth of advanced cryptographic techniques like Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), as well as Multi-Party Computations (MPC), there arise intriguing possibilities for incorporating AI within blockchain ecosystems.”
Tread Carefully
Buterin employs an analogy, comparing AI to a participant in a game. He further asserts that the most perilous aspect of AI lies in its application—a viewpoint shared by many enthusiasts.
“We must exercise utmost caution,” Buterin articulates, referring to what he terms as “AIs becoming integral to the game’s regulations,” as stated in his blog.
The co-founder of Ethereum elaborates on the concept, suggesting that if a blockchain-driven smart contract or a DAO encounters a situation where a subjective judgment is required, one potential approach is to incorporate AI within the contract or DAO framework to assist in upholding these rules.
Understanding AI
The term “AI” encompasses a wide-ranging concept, denoting the emulation of human intelligence processes by machines, typically computer systems.
These processes encompass several facets, including learning, such as the acquisition of information and the rules governing its utilization. Additionally, AI involves reasoning, wherein it employs rules to arrive at either approximate or definitive conclusions, all while possessing the capability for self-correction. AI’s versatile application extends to numerous tasks, including problem-solving, comprehension of natural language, identification of patterns within data, and various other domains.
Vitalik Buterin Identifies AI as a Broad Concept
Buterin emphasizes the vast scope of AI in his blog post.
He describes AI as a collection of algorithms that aren’t explicitly specified but rather emerge from a complex computational process influenced by optimization pressures. In this process, the algorithms evolve toward possessing desired properties.
Buterin underscores that both blockchains and AI are continuously gaining more power and influence.
Nonetheless, the challenge remains in successfully developing applications that utilize blockchains and cryptographic techniques to establish a “singleton”—a decentralized and trusted AI.
In a prolific blogging career, Buterin introduced alternative methods in December with the aim of simplifying the proof of stake design within the Ethereum blockchain. These proposals primarily focus on reducing the number of required signatures per blockchain slot.
