Illia Polosukhin: AI thesis, crypto x AI, and announcing the Delphi Labs x Near accelerator
Sep 12, 2024
auto_awesome
Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol and a pioneer in AI development, shares his journey from Ukraine to significant tech roles. He highlights the launch of the Crypto X AI Accelerator, emphasizing its role in blending AI with cryptocurrency. The discussion explores the evolution and societal implications of AI, contrasting user-owned models with corporate dominance. Illia also touches on the vital interplay between data quality and AI training, along with revolutionary funding ideas for AI through decentralized, token-based systems.
Illia Polosukhin highlights the significance of the Transformers paper in advancing deep learning and natural language processing technologies.
The emergence of decentralized AI presents an opportunity to democratize technology and foster innovation beyond corporate monopolies.
AI's integration into various sectors raises concerns about job displacement, emphasizing the need for reevaluation of economic models and societal values.
Deep dives
Ilya's Early Influences and Journey into AI
Ilya developed an interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning from a young age, starting his journey by building neural networks as a teenager. He pursued a degree in applied mathematics, which led to a job with an American company specializing in machine learning in Ukraine. This early work provided him with hands-on experience in projects ranging from oil detection to natural language understanding. His passion for AI continued to grow as he transitioned to Google, where he contributed to significant advancements in natural language processing.
The Transformative Impact of the Transformers Paper
The publication of the Transformers paper marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of deep learning and natural language processing. This innovative model utilized self-attention mechanisms to process text more efficiently, enabling the handling of longer contexts in language tasks. Ilya's contributions helped lay the foundation for subsequent models like GPT-2 and ChatGPT, which utilize the principles established by Transformers. This breakthrough not only revolutionized how models understand and generate language but also propelled AI research and applications forward significantly.
Challenges and Opportunities for Decentralized AI
As the landscape of AI development shifts toward decentralized models, there are both challenges and opportunities that arise. Currently, large tech companies dominate the AI space, often leading to a lack of innovation and a narrowing of creative possibilities. The emergence of decentralized AI aims to democratize access to these technologies, allowing individuals and communities to engage with and contribute to AI development. By leveraging blockchain and incentivizing participation, decentralized systems could facilitate a more equitable distribution of resources and control in AI advancements.
The Future of Work in the Age of AI
The integration of AI into various sectors is likely to transform the workforce landscape, raising concerns about job displacement and economic inequality. Many cognitive tasks previously performed by humans may be taken over by AI, drastically reducing the demand for traditional labor roles. This shift requires a reevaluation of existing economic models, emphasizing the importance of a society that values creativity, coordination, and human interactions over mere productivity. Sustainable alternatives, such as user-owned AI, can help counterbalance the monopolistic tendencies of large corporations and foster a more diverse job market.
AI as a Tool for Enhanced Governance and Decision-Making
As organizations explore governance models, the potential for AI to play a role in decision-making processes is gaining attention. The introduction of AI-driven delegates in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) offers a novel approach to facilitate decision-making based on data and algorithmic processes. This could lead to more efficient governance structures capable of evaluating complex scenarios with greater objectivity. Testing these systems in experimental setups can help reveal the effectiveness of AI as a knowledgeable resource, providing insights that might influence the efficiency of governance in broader contexts.
Navigating the Intersection of AI and Society
The rapid advancement of AI technology necessitates a thoughtful examination of its societal implications, particularly regarding economic structures and individual agency. There is a growing recognition that traditional capitalist frameworks may need reevaluation in light of AI's capabilities to disrupt labor markets. AI's potential impact on the distribution of wealth and the dynamics between individual creativity and corporate control raises relevant questions about future societal developments. Engaging in discourse about these topics is crucial to shaping an equitable and sustainable future amidst unprecedented technological changes.
In this episode, host José Maria Macedo speaks with Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR and a key figure in AI development, about the launch of the Crypto X AI Accelerator. They discuss Illia's journey in AI, the significance of the Transformers paper, and the evolution of AI technologies. The conversation delves into the implications of AI on society, the importance of user-owned AI versus corporate-controlled AI, and the role of data in AI development. They also explore the goals of the accelerator and the opportunities it presents for founders in the AI and crypto space.
José's Twitter: https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo
Illia's Twitter: https://x.com/ilblackdragon
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Crypto X AI Accelerator
05:54 Ilya's Journey in AI and the Transformers Paper
12:40 The Evolution of AI and Google's Role
20:24 The Vision Behind Near and AI's Future
27:09 The Role of AI in Society and Future Implications
34:28 User-Owned AI vs. Corporate AI
39:48 The Importance of Data in AI Development
47:48 The Crypto AI Accelerator and Its Goals
Disclosures
This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode