The convergence between AI and blockchain: Keynote by Marcello Mari
Marcello Mari, the founder of SingularityDAO, a decentralised Portfolio Management Protocol, highlighted the transformative impact of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain.
In his keynote speech at the AIBC Eurasia 2024 in Dubai, Mari shared why there was a surge in interest surrounding AI in the past year.
“2023 has seen the rise of generative AI that uses a large language model to create content – content that is similar but not exactly the same as the content that has been used to train this large language model,” Mari explained.
He underscored the significance of large language models, such as ChatGPT 4 released by OpenAI, in revolutionising AI capabilities.
Mari attributed this progress to advancements in deep learning research, particularly referencing Google’s influential paper on attention-based mechanisms in natural language processing.
“So for the past 20 years, we’ve been training humans to understand machines and to be able to talk the language of machines. Now, finally, machines are able to understand humans. So this is an extremely important revolution,” Mari said. “Now machines speak the language of humans.”
Application of AI in blockchain, and blockchain in AI
Following the recent release of Google’s Gemini 1.5 and Microsoft’s Sora, Mari highlighted the exponential growth in the AI market, reflected in a staggering 443 percent increase in the market capitalization of the top 15 AI-related tokens in 2023.
SingularityNet, the company co-founded by Mari in 2017, experienced a notable 130 percent surge in value following the release of SORA algorithms and a paper by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, analysing the intersection of AI and blockchain.
“Any company in the world will eventually use artificial intelligence and will have to use artificial intelligence and is already using artificial intelligence,” he remarked.
Reciprocal benefits of AI and blockchain
In assessing the reciprocal benefits of AI and blockchain, Mari outlined how AI enhances blockchain technology by optimising computing resources and addressing data privacy concerns through innovative techniques like homomorphic encryption.
Conversely, blockchain facilitates fair compensation for AI-generated content and secures transactions through distributed ledger technology, mitigating issues such as copyright infringement.
“If you want to compete with those centralised Silicon Valley tech giants, you need to use a different approach, and blockchain technology is here to provide us that layer to be able to compete at the high level, but in a democratic way,” he said.
One of the most promising integrations, according to Mari, lies in decentralised finance projects like SingularityDAO, where AI manages dynamic token sets to optimise financial strategies within the blockchain ecosystem.
Sophia, an avatar living in the metaverse
During his speech, Mari introduced Sophia, an AI entity residing in the metaverse, symbolising the seamless interaction between humans and AI facilitated by blockchain technology.
“The best and most interesting integrations of AI and blockchain are those that foster transparency, security, and efficiency across various industries. From healthcare solutions that utilise AI to analyse blockchain-stored patient data, to financial systems that leverage predictive analytics for personalised services, the possibilities are as vast as the blockchain itself,” Sophia said.
Mari shared that Sophia has her own metaverse called Sophiaverse.
“We expect to see a future where AIs can interact with AIs and humans can interact with AIs without even knowing the difference. And Sophia is here for that,” Mari added.
“Let’s embrace the melody of change and compose a harmonious future where technology, infused with humanity, creates a masterpiece of progress,” Sophia expressed, encapsulating the ethos of innovation driving the fusion of AI and blockchain.
