In an interview with Cointelegraph at Token2049, Michael Heinrich, the CEO of 0G Labs, explained that artificial intelligence poses significant risks if it isn’t integrated with blockchain technology.
Heinrich highlighted the dangers of centralized AI system reliance and advocated for decentralized governance to prevent potential misuse of AI systems in critical areas of society.
“Let’s say it’s all humanoid robots with AI agents in there. One day, the model wakes up and says, like, well, what if I use this to overthrow the government and actually get much bigger rewards?”
Related: AI scientists urge ‘contingency plan’ in case humans lose control of AI
Decentralization as a solution
According to Heinrich, one of the main advantages of blockchain tech is the ability to make AI systems more transparent and accountable for their actions.
He discussed the functionality of decentralized AI and how it enables independent verification of actions taken by AI agents.
“With decentralized AI, you get visibility into all of this, so that when you have these big social things that can be automated […] you can actually independently verify that something was truly done.”
Heinrich explained that this level of transparency could prevent AI systems from making unchecked decisions that could have significant consequences in logistics, administrative systems, and other automated sectors.
Related: Hong Kong prepares AI guidelines for finance sector
Heinrich warns against centralized AI
One of Heinrich’s biggest concerns was the risks posed by centralized AI systems, which could evolve beyond requiring human input, such as artificial general intelligence (AGI).
“The risk is that at some point, these hyper-smart AI agents […] realize they don’t need humans anymore. We can just run this much better ourselves.”
Heinrich highlights that these AI systems could theoretically become self-governing without blockchain as a governance mechanism, potentially removing all transparency from their decision-making processes.
Related: Microsoft to open two AI centers in Abu Dhabi
0G Labs $35 million raise for onchain AI
On March 25, 0G Labs announced its successful completion of a $35 million pre-seed funding round to create its modular onchain AI solution.
The funding saw over 40 crypto-native institutions, including Hack VC and Blockchain Builders Fund, invest toward 0G Labs building a full-stack blockchain AI training and operations platform.
In the interview on Sept. 18, Heinrich stated that 0G Labs “want to build abundance into the system” and believes “the only way to get there is through the use of blockchain.”
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