Decentralization Research Center

Here's a weekly roundup of important articles and events in the fields of blockchain and AI (in just 7 stories): ⬇️ 1. Democracy in the Age of AI In this article, Audrey Tang argues that leveraging collective intelligence is crucial for effective AI regulation, promoting societal cohesion and democratic values https://lnkd.in/efnE-3H7 2. Bitcoin Miners and AI As the energy requirements and computational power of AI data centers increase, Bitcoin miners inch closer to helping power AI, by Nina Bambysheva for Forbes https://lnkd.in/eUzPX64W 3. Governance Restaking Tally describes how separating voting power from financial utility is a win-win scenario for DAOs, token holders, and ecosystem builders https://lnkd.in/eHjYdtzU 4. The Environment and AI AI’s massive energy requirements threaten to overturn the climate hopes of Big Tech companies, from Dan Milmo, Alex Hern and Jillian Ambrose in the Guardian https://lnkd.in/evN6UQjG 5. Digital Rights and Infrastructure A response to the European Commission’s whitepaper on digital infrastructure that calls for “public digital infrastructure that supports our democracies, allows people to enjoy their fundamental rights, and prioritizes the creation of public value while protecting the commons.” By Paul Keller https://lnkd.in/eB_MtpsS 6. The Modern Guide to Digital Governance Available as a free download or hardcopy, this beautifully conceived work is “a love letter to DAO's past, present, & future” from Tally https://lnkd.in/eNtFcE3k 7. Regulating Decentralized Financial Technology Based on interviews and insights in the industry, Georg Lorenz argues that regulatory solutions in DeFi will require more than simply amending traditional regulatory instruments https://lnkd.in/ePPhjpBM

Here's a weekly roundup of important articles and events in the fields of blockchain and AI (in just 7 stories): ⬇️ 1. DeSci is Modernizing Outdated Systems “Just as we innovate to overcome scientific challenges, we must also reimagine and refine the mechanisms that govern scientific inquiry.” Realigning incentives and democratizing access to funding and knowledge, by Patrick Joyce https://lnkd.in/dmX3V9Zz 2. How EU’s AI Act Could Already Be Failing Nathalie Smuha and Karen Yeung “Despite its laudable intentions, the AI Act may deliver far less than it promises.” https://lnkd.in/ewwfjGaE 3. Chief of Stuff What will AI in government be? A former Chief of Staff looks at what AI’s role in government might be, by Mitchell Weiss https://lnkd.in/ewgcrqsJ 4. Enabling DeSci Lina Pauline Schrott and Manuel Constantin Olariu describe the process that Gitcoin uses to fund decentralized science research https://lnkd.in/eSuR-WYG 5. Exploring Blockchain Data Architecture This article discusses three different design choices for proving data storage and integrity in different blockchain systems, from W-Source and the Stanford Blockchain Club https://lnkd.in/g8saxPkR 6. Risk of Centralization As the AI race continues to pull blockchains into its orbit, the risks of corporate centralization increase. Zhiyuan Sun sits down with Julian Peh 白奇豪 https://lnkd.in/e_Tnc2SP 7. How an NFT helps Japanese Elders A unique and experimental approach to raising funds for aging populations in isolated rural communities, by Yohan Yun https://lnkd.in/gXyqFEjm

Here's a weekly roundup of important articles and events in the fields of blockchain and AI (in just 7 stories): ⬇️ 1. The Web3 That Could Be Diving into the histories of ownership and governance, Nathan Schneider presents his reasons for “cautious but determined hope” in the future of blockchain. See his account for the link to an open-access version. https://lnkd.in/egahR97R 2. On Partnerships and Alliances Open Future Foundation looks at the future of community-based digital infrastructure and provides suggestions for the inclusivity and sustainability of the movement. https://lnkd.in/ed-PcPnP 3. Consensys Investigation Ends The SEC has informed Consensys that it will not be recommending enforcement action against the company. An article by Nikhilesh De. https://lnkd.in/gxucjAq5 4. The Intersection between Crypto and AI In this edition of the Empire newsletter, Katherine Ross and @Michael McSweeney examine the intersections between crypto and AI in both theory and practice. https://lnkd.in/eAdYUSky 5. Event: Not Us Now, Book Launch, Sunday June 23 For those of you in the Bay Area, Jaron Lanier will join Zoë Hitzig for the launch of her new book, a collection of poems exploring meaning-making in the age of the algorithm. https://lnkd.in/emyMGWE5 6. The Public Interest Internet “What if the internet were public interest technology?” With this question, Robin Berjon takes us through transnational infrastructure, standards, governance, industrial policy, and a cast of thinkers and next-gen projects. https://lnkd.in/ef4NWaif 7. Book release: Blockchain Governance An in-depth look into how blockchain offers fertile ground for experimentation with radically new ways to govern people and institutions, by Primavera De Filippi, Wessel Reijers, and Morshed Mannan. https://lnkd.in/eHAUxXrT

Here's a weekly roundup of the most important and interesting articles and events in the fields of blockchain and AI (in just 7 stories): ⬇️ 1. An Insight into Tech Policy Connor Spelliscy sits down with Wiley Nickel to discuss tech policy, innovation, consumer protection, and the importance of decentralization https://lnkd.in/e5Qp6Ubf 2. Recipes for Blockchain Governance A “cookbook filled with recipes for designers seeking to develop resilient + robust blockchain governance systems” from BlockchainGov and Project Liberty https://lnkd.in/eD-h_D4H 3. Alignment Assembly Report Launch Next Wednesday, June 19th, will see the launch of the Open Future Foundation Alignment Assembly Report in collaboration with The Collective Intelligence Project. Apply for the online event below: https://lnkd.in/djHGS_8Y 4. AI Regulation States take up the banner of AI regulation as federal responses falter. An article by Cecilia Kang for The New York Times https://lnkd.in/dEbpu_iF 5. Taiwan Founds Crypto Association As Taiwan increases regulation, Taiwan’s crypto industry has set up an association in a step toward self-regulation, by Timmy Shen for Blockworks https://lnkd.in/ecKkxhNv 6. Explaining the Sociotechnical As more people and organizations grapple with the profound shifts enabled by blockchain and AI, a timely primer on the definition of the “sociotechnical.” From Data & Society Research Institute by Brian J. Chen and Jacob Metcalf https://lnkd.in/eZHMaYHT 7. Event: Emerging Tech, June 14th Our friends at Public Knowledge are hosting their event today in D.C. If you are in the area, we highly recommend you attend https://lnkd.in/dh9pYeXp

Co-hosting 2024 The Equitable Tech Summit with the Decentralization Research Center team last week was an honour. The speakers were amongst most inspiring and mind-opening of the many conferences I've attended. They demonstrated that there are ideas, organizations and leaders that can help society create a healthier relationship with technology. In Connor's words, here are some of these ideas: 1. Practice “Everyday Democracy” — Advocate for the incorporation of democratic practices into the digital platforms critical to our day-to-day lives to distribute power among users and limit its centralization among platform owners. 2. Build Trust Together — Decentralized Trust-Building Technologies can provide tamper-proof infrastructure for social institutions, fostering transparency and wider participation. But to effectively build trust, these tools must be developed collaboratively with communities, balancing mass involvement and local control. 3. Blockchains as Cities — This could be a better mental model when assessing the value and dynamics of blockchains than comparing blockchains to networks. Consider in particular the role of cities as centers for trade and innovation with dynamic governance processes. 4. New Age of Governance Tools — Experimentation with digital governance tools, like those created by and for DAOs, are paving the way for more participatory governance models. These tools enable decision-making that is more inclusive and effective than previously possible. 5. Decentralize AI — To help create systems that are not only efficient but also accountable and fair. By distributing AI systems, individuals and communities can better manage their data, ensuring it is used ethically and transparently, and shifting the power away from Big Tech. 6. Co-ops 2.0 — The cooperative model offers a promising path for a more equitable digital economy, though it is frequently overlooked in favor of other structures. Co-ops, owned and controlled by their users, can deliver more responsive and democratic services than alternatives. 7. Humanitarian Tech — Locally led development can benefit greatly from blockchain. By empowering local communities with decentralized tools, we can promote more inclusive and transparent community projects. 8. AI Risk + Policy — Tech policy needs to evolve to address systemic risks and ensure that AI serves the public good. This includes requiring AI companies to increase the visibility of reliable data, remove fake accounts, comply with codes of conduct, and provide researchers with access to underlying data. 9. DeFi = Infrastructure — To combat illicit finance in decentralized finance, we need frameworks that classify genuine DeFi as critical infrastructure, ensuring robust security and compliance measures.

I was back in DC this week for my first time speaking at the National Press Club — and the last of a whirlwind of #TheVentureAlchemists events — before a summertime slowdown filled with family, rest, writing, and course prep. The hosts of this gathering (Decentralization Research Center, Blockchain Association, Metagov, and Project Liberty) are showing real leadership on ethical and equitable tech. Look them up and learn more about the work of each of them, because their mission is both urgent and important for all of us: “Decisions we make today about the ownership and governance of revolutionary technologies, like AI and blockchain, may set the course of the next century.”

For: Thursday, 06.04.24 Here's a weekly roundup of the most important and interesting articles and events in the fields of blockchain and AI (in just 7 stories): ⬇️ 1. Technological Citizenship What is the active role of citizens in the governance of digitization? Advocating for policies that support the engagement of citizens in safeguarding private, social, and public values in the digital age, by Anne Marte Gardenier, Rinie van Est, and Lambèr Royakkers https://lnkd.in/eP_DCJsr 2. Collective Constitutional AI How can the broader public help collectively shape the behavior of LMs? Members of The Collective Intelligence Project and Anthropic AI present the first LM fine-tuned with collectively sourced public input https://lnkd.in/e9EwTwhk 3. The Internet and the Garden Club A witty and cogent piece on the implicit feudalism inherent in our interactions with the internet and one another, by Nathan Schneider https://lnkd.in/eBGfZ26Q 4. Algorithmic Pluralism Best Paper Award winner at FAccT '24, this paper presents a structural approach toward achieving equal opportunity in systems of algorithmic decision-making, with Shomik J., Vinith Suriyakumar, Kathleen Creel, and Ashia Wilson https://lnkd.in/e5HjGejJ 5. The Ideologies Shaping AI This long-form piece dives into the rhetoric and ideologies of AI billionaires and companies, from Microsoft to a16z, Meta to X, by Alex Konrad https://lnkd.in/eV7BaqMr 6. AI Americans AI is being used to influence U.S. elected officials, and this problem is only going to get worse without specific action. A story in The New York Times and a paper by Shrey J., @Scott Moore, Connor Spelliscy, and Samuel Vance-Law https://lnkd.in/eRAVftCN https://lnkd.in/eTpfG8bh 7. Crypto Regulation in Dubai and Thailand In this thought-provoking piece, Eli Cohen looks at models for crypto regulation in unexpected places and finds a host of good ideas https://lnkd.in/ewNvw7JC

Management Systems International and the Decentralization Research Center supported research to assess the potential of #blockchain as a tool for #locallyleddevelopment. This paper examines current applications of the technology against #USAID principles, practices and barriers for locally led development while outlining next steps for how the potential can be built upon and the pitfalls avoided. Global Evaluation Initiative Catherine CheneyRic Shreves Daniel F. Runde Valentine J Gandhi Linda Raftree ConsensysEthfoundation Int'l Gitcoin Fishcoin Shermin Voshmgir BlockScience Frontier Tech Hub International Institute for Sustainable Development Ettore Rossetti Polygon Labs