Written by: Dr Wayne C A Wright, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The furore around AI (more specifically, Artificial General Intelligence, AGI) and its impact on mankind has been making the news extensively over the last 6 months.
Even though we have had AI technologies operating in our lives for many years, the advent of computers, who are capable of learning and potentially reasoning like us, is now here TODAY. The ability of a computer to make decisions to complete tasks autonomously, is also available TODAY.
So, the potential huge impact on jobs globally has vexed governments and businesses.
However, the key issue is not the AGI technology but the data that drives how 'AGI agents' (the computers that carry out a series of commands to complete a task or objective) conduct and complete tasks that are asked of it.
The ability for these agents to be used for good, or for evil, is dictated by the data and the moral framework created around it.
This is where I believe blockchain technologies can help to enable data that AGI uses to be of a moral framework and veracity that is not only verifiable but cannot be changed.
You see, Blockchain protects the data by encrypting the information in a secure way and can be programmed to only release that information or data from the 'smart contract' parameters that are set. If it is not met by the AGI agent, the instruction to go, on not to go, is withheld.
I have outlined 6 areas where blockchain can help to solve the puzzle of helping AGI agents to make better moral decisions on completing tasks:
Blockchain's decentralised and immutable nature can provide transparency and establish trust in AGI systems. It allows stakeholders to verify the integrity of algorithms, data, and decision-making processes, increasing confidence in AGI's outputs.
Blockchain can ensure the integrity and traceability of data used by AGI agents and systems. By recording data transactions on the blockchain, it becomes easier to validate the authenticity, ownership, and origin of the data, reducing the risk of malicious or tampered inputs by hackers, etc.
AGI often requires access to large volumes of data, including sensitive information. Blockchain's cryptographic techniques, such as zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure, can enable privacy-preserving computations while ensuring data security.
Blockchain-based platforms can facilitate secure and decentralised data marketplaces where individuals and organisations can share, monetise, and validate data for AGI training and evaluation. This helps overcome data silos and enables broader access to diverse datasets.
AGI development involves valuable intellectual property. Blockchain's timestamping and digital signature capabilities can establish ownership, provenance, and enforceability of intellectual property rights, facilitating innovation and collaboration while protecting creators' interests.
Blockchain-based governance models can facilitate collective decision-making and self-regulation in AGI systems. By leveraging blockchain's consensus mechanisms, stakeholders (boards, staff, suppliers and customers), can participate in governing the behaviour, ethics, and policies of AGI, ensuring alignment with societal, business and cultural values.
Although this activity is still in its infancy I believe the use of blockchain technologies as an enabler and a 'ethical' framework for AGI has huge benefits. However, the successful validation and adoption of AGI will require a combination of technological advancements, ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and industry collaboration.
If you want to know more about the impact of blockchain and AGI to your business, then please reach out on the link highlighted here.
Dr Wayne C A Wright, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr Wayne Wright has worked in some of the most celebrated corporate entities as well as fast growing medium sized businesses at senior and board levels. His experience is in the building of businesses from the bottom up with a clear understanding of the strategic elements essential in driving successful growth. With a scientist background he is named on 9 patents. Wayne has investments in healthcare businesses in the UK and US and for the last 20 years has led [W]sq solutions, a small boutique entrepreneur coaching organisation that works with fast growing businesses in accelerating growth and profitability.
