Hilary Carter | 16 December 2024
In August, I had the pleasure of speaking on the topic of decentralized computing, the failed promise of the Internet, the emergence of autonomous AI agents, and the upcoming launch of LF Decentralized Trust. My presentation was deeply personal, inspired by the culmination of years of studying, writing about, and publishing reports on blockchain and decentralized systems, both at the Blockchain Research Institute and now at the Linux Foundation, and I reflected on these experiences and how they have shaped my interests and world view.
My talk was also greatly influenced by much-anticipated research that was underway at the time, led by an innovator and author I’ve had the pleasure of working with on numerous projects, Alan Majer. Now a published report at Linux Foundation Research, Decentralization and AI: The Building Blocks of a Resilient and Open Digital Future represents a collaborative effort generously sponsored by Futurewei, with significant contributions from Lalana Kagal at MIT, editor Kirsten Sandberg, and advisor and innovator Han Su. I’m excited to share why I think this report is timely, and hope that you’ll join me in reading it.
The report is important for so many reasons. Today, the Web stands at a crossroads. Once envisioned as a democratizing force, it has evolved into an ecosystem dominated by a handful of centralized platforms. The statistics tell a grim tale: powerful algorithms govern our interactions, eroding trust and concentrating influence. For example, nearly half of all users’ web browsing histories are tracked by major players, and 49.6% of all Web traffic is generated by bots, with 32% being labeled as “bad bots” designed to mimic human behavior for unscrupulous purposes.
Where Did the Web Go Wrong?
The Web’s original promise was to connect and empower, but it is increasingly weaponized against those ideals. Systems of influence and misinformation gaslight users, while the economic model—the so-called attention economy—treats human focus as a commodity to be exploited. Trust in digital systems is plummeting, with over 80% of people believing that external forces unduly influence the news they consume.
This erosion of trust stems in large part from centralized control. Centralized platforms act as gatekeepers, creating walled gardens that stifle innovation and limit users’ autonomy. For example, between 2023 and 2024 alone, 5% of web data and 28% of high-value sources restricted automated access, further consolidating control within a few hands.
Enter Decentralization
Decentralized computing and AI represent a seismic shift—a chance to rewrite the Web’s DNA. By distributing intelligence to the edge, decentralized systems empower individuals to regain control of their data and identities. Autonomous AI agents, for instance, can operate independently within decentralized networks, offering highly personalized services without compromising privacy.
This isn’t just theory; it’s already happening. Federated learning allows AI models to train on data while it remains locally stored, preserving privacy. Zero-knowledge proofs enable verification without sharing sensitive details. These advancements are catalyzing a new wave of innovation that prioritizes user sovereignty.
The Disruptive Potential of Decentralized AI
The transformative potential of decentralized AI cannot be overstated. Imagine platforms where algorithms reflect user values, not corporate profit motives. Autonomous agents, operating at the edge, can enhance user experiences while safeguarding personal information. They promise interfaces that are both intuitive and user-driven, reshaping how we interact with technology.
Consider this: today’s centralized platforms are struggling under the weight of their own contradictions. The rise of generative AI already hints at their vulnerability. In 2024, ChatGPT alone produced 100 billion words daily—about 1% of the world’s total written words. By 2032, projections suggest that AI could generate 61% of the global written content annually. This explosion of content, while impressive, threatens to overwhelm traditional platforms and drive a need for more agile, decentralized alternatives.
Collaboration Is Key
No single entity can achieve this decentralized vision alone. Open source collaboration is pivotal. The Linux Foundation’s projects exemplify how neutral spaces foster innovation. They enable diverse stakeholders to co-create technologies that prioritize openness, trust, and human values.
Decentralization also requires robust governance. It’s not enough to build the tools; we must ensure they are used responsibly. Transparent identity frameworks and user-centric design principles are essential to prevent the replication of centralized vulnerabilities in a decentralized future.
A Web for Everyone
Ultimately, decentralization isn’t just a technological challenge; it’s a societal one. The values we embed into our systems today will shape the digital landscape for generations. This is our opportunity to create a resilient, open, and human-centered Web that serves as a true public good.
One thing is clear: while we are at the dawn of a new era, there is still so much work to be done to create trusted digital systems and a web that works for everyone. It will take communities of practice, and plenty of time, to fully leverage the promise of decentralized systems. In that era, we can hopefully revive some of the most promising pilots that were tried and tested and retired simply because they were ahead of their time.
The decisions we make now—about collaboration, openness, and the role of AI—will define the Web’s future. Only together, we can reclaim the promise of the digital commons and build a decentralized world that works for everyone, if we do so openly, transparently, and in a neutral forum.