Gathering of Innovators at DKGCon 2024
Numerous developers and technology enthusiasts convened at DKGCon 2024, held from October 24 to 25, to delve into the convergence of blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and knowledge graphs. The event aimed to examine how Web3 tools can enhance the effectiveness, security, and dependability of AI systems. Organized by OriginTrail, a blockchain ecosystem dedicated to creating what it terms the world’s first decentralized knowledge graph (DKG), the conference seeks to instill trust and reliability into AI technologies. The program featured various discussions and panels addressing user privacy, empowerment, and the influence of AI across different sectors. Notable speakers included Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe, AI researcher and critic Gary Marcus, and SingularityNET CEO Ben Goertzel.
Spotlight on Ecosystem Builders
The first day of the conference featured a special segment dedicated to ecosystem builders, allowing attendees to showcase their projects utilizing the DKG. The subsequent day was exclusively reserved for workshops aimed at helping participants learn how to develop using the DKG. According to the OriginTrail team, this event serves as an annual celebration of progress in decentralized knowledge graphs, emphasizing the importance of collective neuro-symbolic AI and the synergy between knowledge graphs, blockchain technology, and AI.
Understanding Knowledge Graphs
Knowledge graphs function as a data layer that facilitates the establishment and verification of relationships between different data points. Predominantly employed by major technology firms such as Google and Facebook for their recommendation systems, these graphs often exist within a closed ecosystem controlled by centralized entities, leaving users excluded from monetizing their data. Their growing popularity extends into large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, as they help mitigate challenges like hallucinations and intellectual property violations. The OriginTrail team highlighted that decentralizing knowledge graph technology further empowers users by enabling the tracking of information provenance, ensuring reliability, and promoting data ownership.
Emphasizing Trust in AI
The conference embraced the theme “trust the source,” a slogan featured on T-shirts given to attendees. This phrase underscores the pressing challenge of achieving transparency in AI solutions. The OriginTrail team remarked that, as AI increasingly integrates into everyday life, it is crucial to develop a system that users can trust, ensuring the reliability of the information provided by AI applications.
Opening Remarks from Ethernet Pioneer
Bob Metcalfe, the inventor of Ethernet, inaugurated the conference, asserting that LLMs and knowledge graphs complement each other and can address each other’s shortcomings. The issues he referred to include AI’s propensity for generating inaccurate or biased outputs.
Real-World Applications of DKG
Various non-Web3 organizations also illustrated how the integration of blockchain with the DKG enhances user trust. In a panel discussion titled “Is AI Ready for Business? Breaking Down Trust and Reliability Barriers,” Garrett Pitcher, founder of the Church of Oak distillery, explained how the DKG enables customers to reliably trace the origins of their purchases. Additionally, Seamus Galvin, a senior innovation business partner at GS1, noted the importance of combining blockchain, AI, and the semantic web to achieve trust and integrity within supply chains.
Concerns Over AI Safety and Privacy
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of user safety and privacy in AI systems. Several speakers stressed the necessity of implementing safeguards to prevent harm or exploitation of users, especially in light of recent tragic incidents linked to AI interactions. There are also significant concerns regarding the data practices of centralized AI companies, with OpenAI facing particular scrutiny. In a fireside chat, Gary Marcus voiced his belief that OpenAI’s financial challenges might force it into becoming a surveillance entity.
Criticism of OpenAI
This sentiment was echoed by Edward Snowden, an American whistleblower and privacy advocate, who criticized OpenAI’s recent appointments and warned against trusting the company or its products. Similarly, Chris Rynning, a managing partner at AMYP Ventures, expressed hesitance in investing in AI startups due to fears about contributing to potentially dangerous developments.
Developing Ethical AI Solutions
Throughout the conference, various speakers promoted the DKG as a secure and private alternative to the perceived overreach of Big Tech in data handling and AI development. The OriginTrail team articulated that fusing AI with Web3 and knowledge graphs presents a promising avenue for harnessing AI’s potential in a safe manner. Branimir Rakić, co-founder and CTO of OriginTrail, emphasized their approach, which allows users to engage with AI services while ensuring their data remains private.
A Call for Decentralization in AI
In closing remarks, Rakić and the other founders advocated for a decentralized alternative to the mainstream AI industry, which they described as driven by “surveillance capitalism.” They argued that the current landscape prioritizes data acquisition over ethical considerations in AI development. Rakić emphasized the need to return power to the people to effectively manage this transformative technology. Attendees shared a consensus that decentralizing AI control, through the collaboration of knowledge graphs and blockchain, is vital for countering Big Tech’s dominant approach. With the stakes as high as the potential risks to humanity, they view the era of AI as a significant opportunity for Web3 to challenge the status quo.
Emerging Trends in AI and Memecoins
Disclaimer: OriginTrail covered the travel expenses for Jonathan DeYoung’s attendance at DKGCon 2024.
