The future is ‘trivergent.’ How these three dominant technologies will change everything
Google’s Gemma is a move toward transparency in AI, writes Bob Tapscott, but it must integrate blockchain and IoT to unleash AI’s full potential.
By Bob Tapscott Contributor
Last week, Google released a pair of open-source AI models called “Gemma,” suitable for small tasks such as summarizations or simple chatbots. Gemma moves Google away from its opaque model Gemini and from competitors like OpenAI.
But all the AI innovators still have work to do.
Today digital technologies permeate every facet of life and business, from 5G networks, virtual reality, and drones to robotics, additive manufacturing, and synthetic biology.
Of these technologies, three have emerged as foundational: AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Call it the “Trivergence.”
Each of these technologies confers unique advantages on its own, but when used together, their power is transformational. It’s a classic case of the whole being more powerful than the sum of its parts.
AI developers face challenges such as hackers spreading lies
For example, when we combine AI’s ability to process huge sets of patient data with blockchain’s ability to manage, store, and license those data sets to AI models on behalf of patients, and then we add IoT’s capability to sense and respond to stimuli in the physical world, then we get personalized, private, and pro-patient hospital experiences.
From admittance to discharge, these trivergent technologies can monitor patients, inform food services, adjust medicines and in-room equipment, recommend diagnostic testing, analyze results, calculate bills against insurance coverage, and customize treatment options for patient-provider consultations.
Today, AI developers face significant challenges. For one, they are using other people’s intellectual property (IP) without permission to train their models. Moreover, hackers are sharing deepfakes to spread lies and alter public perception of reality. Democratic societies need robust mechanisms to track the provenance and authenticity of digital content.
Enter blockchain. In essence, a blockchain is a global, distributed, highly secure platform where users can store and exchange things of value without powerful intermediaries.
These things of value are digital assets. Beyond cryptocurrencies, we can think about digital assets or “tokens” as containers for value. Just as we put anything of physical value in a shipping container, from furniture sets to automotive parts, we can program a token to contain organ donor consent, health care proxy designation, data licensing terms, and so forth. Because tokens are software-based, we can add programming logic to their usage.
The good news is that intellectual property is an asset. Through tokenization, we can register our own IP on a blockchain, and we can authenticate and track other people’s IP there, too.
The era of trivergence requires collaborative effort
Creators can embed specific permissions, usage rights, and royalty percentages into their works. Blockchain preserves these IP rights so that creators receive fair compensation and control how others use their IP.
Now let’s add IoT to the mix.
Currently, NVIDIA chips are the backbones of AI models, and major cloud providers own most of them. However, decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) offers a welcome alternative to cloud services, increasing the diversity and competitiveness of this market.
Tech innovators are developing decentralized networks for physical infrastructure, from cloud and wireless to sensor and energy.
Consider Render Network, a pioneering project for individuals and businesses to pool their computing resources into a decentralized graphics processing unit (GPU) rendering platform. AI companies and film studios use this platform for training models or rendering 3D animations.
The users of DePIN networks reduce their computing costs, while the owners of the GPUs earn passive income. These networks seamlessly integrate with and enhance existing infrastructure, paving the way for a more decentralized and interconnected future.
The more we combine these three technologies — AI, blockchain, and IoT — the more we realize that the era of trivergence requires collaborative effort.
We all have an opportunity to challenge the norm, question assumptions, and participate in shaping the societal transformations ahead. Together, we can realize a future where our technology serves humanity’s best interests, guided by empathy, foresight, and unwavering commitment to positive change.
Bob Tapscott is the author of the new book “Trivergence: Accelerating Innovation with AI, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things.”