Decentralised cryptocurrency, a digital currency that operates independently of a central bank or authority, is a concept that has revolutionized the financial world. Transactions are recorded on a public digital ledger, such as a blockchain, and verified by a network of users rather than a single centralized institution. This innovative and decentralised structure allows for increased transparency, security, and autonomy in financial transactions.
But decentralisation is not limited to just cryptocurrency. When we talk about decentralisation, the term web3 often comes up. Web3, also known as the decentralised web or “Web3.0,” is a visionary concept for the future of the internet in which power and control are distributed among users rather than concentrated in a small group of companies or organizations.
The central concept of web3 is decentralisation, which aims to allow users to control their own data and identity, as well as giving them more control over the apps and services they use. It is also thought to have the potential to create new business models and economic opportunities.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, Inc., mentioned that web3 is not necessarily decentralised, and I completely agree with his comments. The reality is that the concept of decentralisation is complex and nuanced, and we must continue to explore its potential and limitations in the context of the evolving digital landscape.
We need something more decentralised. My suggestion to this is “Web4”. Web4, or what some refer to as the second generation of the decentralized web, envisions a future internet where power and control are spread across users instead of a select few companies or organizations. Rather than relying on centralized servers and data storage, web4 would utilize cutting-edge decentralized technologies such as blockchain and peer-to-peer networks to create an internet that’s more transparent, secure, and open. With this, users can enjoy greater data privacy, censorship resistance, and ownership of digital assets.
At the heart of web4 is decentralization, which empowers users to manage their data and identity while providing more control over their apps and services. The potential for web4 goes beyond mere convenience and opens doors to new business models and economic opportunities. Furthermore, web4 is intertwined with the burgeoning field of AI, which can complement its decentralized nature in various ways. Think decentralized AI, Federated Learning, Privacy-Preserving AI, Blockchain-based AI, and AI-driven scalability. The possibilities are endless!
Artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially play a crucial role in realizing this vision. Here are some tantalizing possibilities of how Web4 and AI could interact: First up, decentralized AI. Web4 aims to decentralize control on the internet, and that could be applied to AI as well. Decentralized AI systems would enable more distributed decision-making and prevent a single entity from having too much power over AI systems. Talk about leveling the playing field!
Then there’s Federated Learning. Web4 is all about making different technologies and platforms work together seamlessly. Federated learning, a technique where multiple devices, like smartphones, work together to train a shared AI model, could be a perfect fit for Web4. Who knew that smartphones could be such a powerful force for good?
And let’s not forget about Privacy-Preserving AI. Web4 is all about providing users with increased security and privacy. Privacy-preserving AI, which protects users’ data privacy while still allowing for useful AI models to be trained, is the perfect solution to achieve this goal.
Last but not least, we have AI-driven scalability. Web4 aims to handle more data and users by using blockchain technology and sharding concepts, which allows for faster processing of transactions. Deep learning techniques can also be used to optimize the scalability of the network. It’s all about being able to handle more, faster.
As you can see, the potential for Web4 and AI to work together is truly mind-boggling. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
“I believe in decentralisation. Web4 could be the next big movement.” – Anndy Lian
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.