Near Protocol (NEAR) has initiated a groundbreaking project in artificial intelligence, unveiled at the Redacted conference in Bangkok. This initiative aims to create the world’s largest open-source AI model, featuring an impressive 1.4 trillion parameters—3.5 times larger than Meta’s Llama model.
How Does Decentralized AI Protect Privacy?
Participants will engage in a competitive environment via the Near AI Research hub, starting with a smaller model comprising 500 million parameters. This ambitious venture requires a substantial investment of $160 million, which will be financed through token sales, as stated by Illia Polosukhin, a co-founder of Near Protocol. Token holders can expect to benefit from the revenues generated by the AI model.
Why Is Decentralization Important for AI?
According to Edward Snowden, who addressed the conference, centralized AI poses significant risks, including the potential for a surveillance-centric society. He emphasized the need for a decentralized AI framework, aligned with Web3 principles, to safeguard user privacy and encourage transparent technological progress.
Near Protocol’s initiative stands as a pivotal move towards fostering a more open and accountable AI landscape. As AI’s influence broadens, decentralized approaches may significantly mitigate risks associated with this technology. Key takeaways from this initiative include:
- Development of a decentralized AI model to protect user privacy.
- Investment strategies leveraging token sales for financial backing.
- Collaboration in a competitive framework through the Near AI Research hub.
- Advocacy for decentralization as a safeguard against surveillance.
This project not only signals Near Protocol’s commitment to innovation but also highlights the growing necessity for privacy-conscious AI solutions in an increasingly digital world.