AI + Blockchain is Already Here

Whether you have stumbled across this article because of the recent fascination with AI generated content or looking just for secret gems in the blockchain space, you are in the right place. Oraichain is a complete ecosystem for decentralized AI supporting end-to-end solutions for data custody, monetization and AI execution.

TLDR First

I know you’re busy. It’s cool. Let me break it down for you, nice and easy…

In this article, I’m going to cover:

• The Importance of Decentralized AI
• Elements of the Oraichain Ecosystem that make Decentralized AI a reality including: controlling access to and monetizing data
• Not being a slave to corporations (aka the point of decentralization)

Intro

AI has become a hot topic in recent weeks. There is a fresh wave of excitement as web surfers interact with new tools for AI generated content, but as automation becomes a more prevalent part of our everyday lives, many people are worrying about the potential for “machines” to take over jobs and change the world in ways we can’t even imagine. However, it’s important to remember that we’ve all been interacting with AI for years, from the personalized recommendations we receive on streaming platforms to the language translation tools we use to communicate with people from different countries.

The decentralized AI movement is taking this integration a step further, calling for transparency in the sourcing of data, the accuracy of AI models and the movement of revenue throughout this data economy. Royalties on datasets should flow to data contributors every time they are used in an AI model. Consumers deserve to know how their data is being used. These are some key differences between the AI we currently interact with and Oraichain’s decentralized AI of the future.

It’s important to recognize that the future of AI doesn’t have to look like the Terminator or the Matrix. And it doesn’t have to be run by and for the exclusive benefit of big corporations. Instead, decentralized AI has the potential to simultaneously make our lives easier and more efficient while welcoming a new age of transparency and accountability. This is crucial for building trust between companies, service providers, advertisers and consumers.

Oraichain has spent the past two years creating a framework for this next-gen data economy. From the mainnet itself to some of the dApps already developed, every piece has a significant role to play. Let’s take a look at some of the building blocks already in place and potential use cases we can expect to see in the near future.

Decentralized File Storage

One of the main advantages of decentralized file storage is that it is server-less, meaning that it does not rely on a central server to store and manage data. This makes the system more resilient to attacks and outages, as there is no central point of failure. It also makes the system more transparent, as there is no central authority controlling or censoring the data being streamed.

Decentralized file storage also allows for greater privacy and security. In the case of Oraichain’s protocol Eueno, encryption is used by default to ensure that data is secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties, while access controls can be used to ensure that only certain individuals, groups or applications have access to the data. This system is permissionless while still preserving privacy.

Decentralized file storage can also be used for non-custodial data storage, meaning users have full control over their data and can choose which data they expose and who has permission to use it. They can also revoke permissions at will. This protocol is essential to enable a data economy that puts users in the driver’s seat, allowing them to take advantage of monetization opportunities and earn income from their data. It gives users complete control over their data and ensures that their privacy is respected.

Zero-Knowledge Engine

Zero knowledge proofs are a method of demonstrating the possession of certain information without revealing the actual information itself. They can be used in the context of smart contracts to allow a user to prove to a third party or application that they meet the required criteria, without exposing private data.

One way that zero knowledge proofs can be used in smart contracts is in the context of identity attestation, a solution currently being developed by the team at Ziden. For example, a zero knowledge proof can be used to prove to a third party that a user is a citizen of certain country, without sharing sensitive documents. This can be valuable in situations where the user does not want to reveal their age, identification number or images to the third party, but still wants to prove their eligibility to participate in certain financial offerings that may be restricted based on regulations.

Another way that zero knowledge proofs can be used in smart contracts is in the context of location verification. For example, suppose a smart contract requires a user to be in a specific location in order to participate. The user can use a zero knowledge proof to demonstrate that they are in the required location, without revealing exact coordinates. This can be done using GPS data, for example, by proving that the user’s location is within a certain range without revealing the exact location.

Zero knowledge proofs are a valuable tool for enabling the use of private data in smart contracts without exposing the actual data to third parties. The mechanism is an important element of the Oraichain ecosystem, protecting the privacy of users and ensuring the integrity of smart contracts.

On-chain AI Execution

This is the process of executing AI and machine learning algorithms and models with on-chain proof. One key advantage of on-chain AI execution is that it allows for decentralized AI, which means that the AI algorithms and models are not controlled by a single entity or organization. Instead, they are run and maintained by a network of nodes, or computers, that are connected to the blockchain.

There are several benefits to decentralized AI:

1. Security: Decentralized AI systems are more secure because they are not vulnerable to a single point of failure. If one node fails or is compromised, the rest of the network can continue to operate.
2. Trust: Decentralized AI systems are more transparent and trustworthy because the results of AI algorithms and models are recorded on the blockchain, which is a public and immutable ledger. This helps to ensure that the results are accurate and not manipulated.
3. Accessibility: Decentralized AI systems are more accessible because they are not controlled by a single entity. This means that anyone with an internet connection can access and use the AI algorithms and models or (with some expertise) operate a node themselves, which can help to democratize access to AI technology.

Data scientists can use Oraichain’s dedicated subnetwork for AI execution for test cases, allowing them to experiment and improve on the accuracy of their model. Later, this same subnetwork will be used to execute models published to Oraichain’s AI Oracle which can be integrated into smart contracts via API.

Data Annotation Tools

Data scientists often spend a significant portion of their time preparing and labeling data for machine learning algorithms. This process, known as data annotation or data labeling, involves assigning labels or categories to data points or examples in a dataset. This can be a time-consuming and tedious task, especially if the dataset is large or complex.

One way to make the data labeling process more efficient is to use crowdsourced annotation, which involves outsourcing the labeling task to a large group of people. This can be done through platforms that connect companies with a pool of workers who can perform tasks such as data labeling. Crowdsourced annotation can be a cost-effective way to label large datasets, as it allows companies to tap into a large pool of workers who can label data in parallel.

Another way to make the data labeling process more efficient is to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These tools can automate the labeling process by using machine learning algorithms to automatically label data based on patterns or features that they have learned from previously labeled data. While AI tools can be more expensive than crowdsourced annotation, they can be faster and more accurate, especially for tasks that require specialized knowledge or expertise.

With Oraichain’s DINO Hub, data scientists can use a combination of crowdsourced annotation and AI tools to make the data labeling process more efficient and cost-effective. By leveraging these tools, data scientists can spend less time on manual data labeling and more time on other important tasks, such as developing and training machine learning models.

Less grunt work = more productivity.

Data Marketplace

Data marketplaces are platforms that allow individuals and organizations to buy and sell data. These marketplaces have become increasingly popular in recent years as the demand for data has increased with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

DINO Hub’s data marketplace allows data owners to share in downstream royalties every time the dataset is used in an AI model via Oraichain’s AI Oracle. This is a unique opportunity for data owners to monetize their data and benefit from its use in AI models.

Data owners upload their structured dataset to the platform. This data is then made available for purchase by AI developers who are looking for high-quality datasets to use in their models. Once an AI developer purchases the data, the data owner is entitled to a share of the royalties every time the AI model is used. This can be a lucrative opportunity for data owners, as the use of AI models is becoming increasingly widespread across a wide range of industries.

In addition to providing a way for data owners to monetize their data, as the availability of data increases, this DINO Hub also benefits AI developers by giving them access to a wide range of high-quality datasets that they can use to train and improve their models.

Oraichain’s data marketplace is a win-win for both data owners and AI developers and is a vital to creating an end-to-end infrastructure for the data economy.

AI Marketplace

Oraichain’s DINO Hub also includes an AI marketplace that allows data scientists to publish their AI models for consumption as an API. This type of marketplace provides a way for data scientists to monetize their AI models by allowing other individuals and organizations to use them in their products and services.

In this type of marketplace, data scientists can choose to make their AI models available for free or charge a fee for their use. Some data scientists may choose to allow for a certain number of free API calls before charging a fee, while others may opt for a subscription model.

DINO Hub’s AI marketplace system to allow data scientists to publish AI models as APIs is a valuable tool for both data scientists and buyers. It provides a way for data scientists to monetize their models and benefit from their use, while also giving buyers access to high-quality AI models that they can use to improve their products and services. These APIs complete the data economy by delivering functionality to both Web 2 and Web3 with maximum transparency and decentralization.

“Why do I care about all this?”

Great question.

Every time you use an app, stream a show, listen to a song or (basically) interact with any piece of technology, someone somewhere is using your data to make money. You see exactly $0 of this revenue. This is why you should care.

You “agree” to some privacy policy and sign away your ownership of this data without any say of how it’s used or who it can be sold to.

It’s time for change. In fact, the change is already here.

What I’ve just described to you is a system designed on the Oraichain network to:

• Choose who has access to your data
• Protect your privacy
• Monetize data by selling to AI builders at will
• Receive royalties when AI models are sold using your data

You don’t have to be in it for the tech. You don’t have to be in it because you believe in blockchain. You should care about this because this is the right way for the data economy to exist.

Not controlled by corporations or governments. Controlled by you.

About Oraichain

Oraichain is a decentralized, proof-of-stake network built on the Cosmos SDK and Tendermint. It is currently capable of supporting around 10,000 transactions per second with a block time ~6 seconds. The Mainnet supports CosmWasm smart contracts, but it also has a number of subnetworks for various purposes, including fully decentralized VRF, AI execution, GameFi, and an EVM-compatible subnetwork for real-world applications.

Oraichain is secured by 32 validators, and voting power is fairly evenly distributed among the top 20 nodes. This is in contrast to other IBC-enabled networks, where there is a high concentration of voting power among the top 5 validators.

The Oraichain Foundation is committed to maintaining a high level of decentralization and is currently running a Delegation Campaign to attract more validators from the IBC community. The foundation is also providing direct support to new node operators and interim delegations from its own allocation to help them get started.

*While I am an employee of Oraichain Labs US, this article is represents my personal point of view. It was my Christmas Wish to get two hours alone (not BUIDLing Web5 apps) to write this. Merry Christmas to me and goodnight.