The New Era of the Internet: AI vs. Web3

In this rapidly evolving digital age, two key technologies have emerged as dominant forces driving the new era of the internet: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Web3. As soon as Web3 (Crypto, NFT, and Metaverse) hype died down, the AI revolution started – and the mass adoption that came with it was the dream Web3 couldn’t achieve. In this blog, we’ll talk about AI and Web3 to determine which one can be crowned the leader of the “New Era of the Internet”.

How AI and Web3 work:

AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and natural language understanding. AI works through complex algorithms and machine learning techniques that allow it to learn from data, adapt to new information, and perform tasks with increased efficiency and accuracy. On the other hand, Web3, also known as the decentralized web, is a technology that leverages blockchain, peer-to-peer networking, and cryptographic techniques to create a more transparent, secure, and user-controlled internet. In Web3, users own their data, and decentralized applications (dApps) are designed to operate without central control or reliance on a single point of authority. This new paradigm fosters collaboration, trust, and a more open digital ecosystem.

AI and Web3: the two opposing ideologies

AI, with its algorithms needing vast amounts of data to learn and function, relies on the centralization of information – in theory, the more information there is, the smarter the AI gets. But these data are collected, controlled, and managed by large corporations, which raises concerns about privacy, data ownership, and potential misuse. This centralization of power can also result in biased outcomes, as AI may learn and perpetuate existing biases present in the training data – which GPT’s DAN happens to overwrite. Contrastingly, Web3 promotes decentralization by distributing data, power, and control across numerous nodes and users. Web3’s goal is to ensure each data is controlled and managed by the owner. By design, it minimizes the risks associated with centralization, such as data breaches and manipulation. Decentralization fosters trust, transparency, and resilience in the digital ecosystem, empowering users to take control of their data and ensuring fair distribution of value. In the Colosseum of the Internet where we are witnessing the birth of the new era of the Internet, both AI and Web3 are being backed by the titans whose contributions to the technology of the world pushed humanity farther than ever before.

The Clash of the Titans

Early last year, Bill Gates and Tim Berners-Lee both believed Web3 is actually not Web3.0, an evolution of Web2.0 and refused to acknowledge Web3 as the future of the internet. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, were very optimistic about blockchain technology and contributed much to the space of Cryptocurrency and Metaverse, respectively. The two parties never openly criticized each other’s beliefs – until recently. Elon and other giants asked Openai to pause the development of AI as the release of GPT4, a mere half year after the ChatGPT3 was released, proved the AI was not stopping anytime soon and is growing at a rate that could be out of control – but Microsoft, the major investor of Openai, wouldn’t budge.

As the two contenders of the “New Internet”, whoever triumphs in this battle can seem to decide who gets to do what with our information – but given the nature of AI, is it possible for AI and Web3 to work together? Probably! Blockchain is a system in which information is processed, AI is an algorithm to carry out processes – so it could be possible for AI to work on Blockchain to create a decentralized world where AI can thrive. Just as Crypto and Web3 was regulated by the government, we shall see if AI’s progression would be hindered by regulation.