The fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology promises to drive innovation while advancing the decentralized concepts of data privacy and democratic ownership. Decentralized AI can enhance the efficiency and intelligence in data processing, smart contracts and network optimization, among others. The resulting systems are not only self-learning but also capable of predicting and reacting to new information in real time all without compromising security to a centralized source.
The universe of decentralized AI projects is ever-growing, but some stars are shining brighter due to their market share or unique value propositions. The following projects exemplify the potential of AI backed by blockchain technology:
The top AI-focused crypto projects
SingularityNET (ASI)
- What it is: SingularityNET is a decentralized marketplace for AI services, aiming to create a global AI brain on the blockchain that is accessible to all. Utilizing smart contracts for transactions, SingularityNET allows anyone to create, share, and monetize AI services at scale.ü
- Why it matters: SingularityNET democratizes access to AI technologies with its decentralized and open ecosystem that encourages innovation, collaboration and fair compensation for developers and users alike.
In March 2024, SingularityNET, Fetch.ai and Ocean Protocol announced plans to merge there tokens to become ASI. The trio also launched an Artificial Superintelligence Alliance, aiming to provide an alternative to the existing Big Tech-controlled AI processes.
Fetch.ai (ASI)
- What it is: Fetch.ai offers a decentralized machine learning platform for building AI applications and services. At the heart of the platform are autonomous agents’ that can perform tasks without human intervention, thereby optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving decision-making processes across various sectors.
- Why it matters: Fetch.ai’s autonomous agents offer scalable and self-organizing solutions for complex problems in various sectors, paving the way for more efficient and intelligent systems.
Ocean Protocol (ASI)
- What it is: Ocean Protocol provides a decentralized platform for the exchange of data and data-based AI models. Individuals and organizations can share and monetize their models and data while retaining control and privacy, fostering a more open and equitable data economy. The platform gates access to data sets with tokens, which are redeemed by users who want access to that information.
- Why it matters: Ocean Protocol addresses the crucial need for secure and transparent data sharing, enabling decentralized data liquidity for AI.
Numeraire (NMR)
- What it is: Numeraire powers a global, decentralized blockchain-backed network of data scientists who compete to create the best predictive models and improve hedge fund investments. By staking NMR tokens, participants can bet on their models’ performance, incentivizing the creation of accurate predictions.
- Why it matters: Numeraire’s novel mechanism aligns the interests of data scientists and hedge funds, creating a collaborative but competitive environment that democratizes access to financial modeling.
Matrix AI Network (MAN)
- What it is: The Matrix AI Network aims to create a blockchain-based economy featuring data, compute power and AI models. The network leverages AI technology to optimize blockchain smart contracts to be more efficient, flexible and secure. In 2023, the company formed a strategic partnership with Chinese neuroscience company NeuraMatrix, aiming to integrate its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology into the Matrix AI platform.
- Why it matters: Matrix AI reduces the complexity and skills barriers for blockchain developers and users alike, and the company is at the forefront of neuroscience-backed applications
decentralized AI.
DeepBrain Chain (DBC)
- What it is: Aimed at lowering the cost of AI computing, DeepBrain Chain is a distributed GPU cloud computing platform. The decentralized neural network offers a cost-effective, secure and flexible computing platform that leverages blockchain technology to reduce the high computing costs associated with AI training and operations while ensuring data privacy.
- Why it matters: DeepBrain Chain says it can reduce computing costs by 70%, lowering the currently high-cost barrier to entry in AI development.
Near Protocol (NEAR)
- What it is: NEAR Protocol offers software that incentivizes a network of computers to operate a platform that helps developers create dApps. In 2023, the protocol launched NEAR Tasks, an AI marketplace that connects task listing, work reviews and crypto rewards to offer self-service AI models valued through human feedback.
- Why it matters: By integrating NEAR Tasks onto the NEAR Protocol, verified human experts are able to build a reputation and get paid for contributing their work and expertise to the platform.
The Graph (GRT)
- What it is: The Graph offers a decentralized protocol for indexing and querying data from multiple blockchains, allowing decentralized applications (dApps) to efficiently access blockchain data without relying on centralized servers. The protocol enables developers to build richer, more reliable dApps with real-time data access.
- Why it matters: The Graph addresses a critical bottleneck in the development of decentralized applications, the efficient and scalable querying of blockchain data.
Render Network (RNDR)
- What it is: The Render Network offers a distributed GPU rendering solution that connects artists and developers with the computing power they need across the network. This approach democratizes access to high-quality rendering services, reducing costs and increasing efficiency without the need for centralized cloud services.
- Why it matters: Render Network enables creators to render complex projects quickly and more affordably, fostering innovation and collaboration within the digital content creation industry.
Bittensor (TAO)
- What it is: BitTensor offers a decentralized market for machine learning intelligence. By treating machine intelligence as a tradable economy, the Bittensor protocol’s open and accessible network fosters innovation from a diverse global community of developers.
- Why it matters: BitTensor encourages the quick spread of machine intelligence, meaning fewer people have to turn to centralized resources for AI development.
The Future of Decentralized AI Projects
As we stand on the brink of a new digital revolution, the synergy between AI and blockchain technology promises to redefine the boundaries of both technologies. Furthering future innovation, Flare researchers have introduced a new approach to combining AI with blockchain technology that could lead to safer and more accurate AI: Consensus Learning (CL).
CL uses blockchain technology to encourage decentralized collaboration among AI models for collective intelligence where individual models can contribute their insights while maintaining data confidentiality. Each network participant creates an AI model based on its own private data and publicly available information for data diversity. The participants then share their insights through a secure consensus/gossip protocol, where the models can also be updated based on peer feedback. Through iterative exchanges on the protocol, consensus gradually emerges, a unified decision reflecting the network’s collective knowledge.
The future of decentralized AI relies on an approach that fosters trust among participants working to build AI models and share data, a crucial part of ensuring the integrity and accuracy of new AI systems.
Featured image credit: Igor Omilaev/Unsplash
