AI Safety Fundamentals d/acc: One Year Later
Sep 19, 2025
Vitalik Buterin explores the balance of decentralized technologies to distribute AI power. He highlights advances like verifiable vaccines and air quality sensors that bolster community defense. The discussion includes the importance of cross-field collaboration and critiques centralized safety approaches. Buterin proposes strategies like liability-focused regulation and a global soft pause on compute to mitigate risks. Ultimately, he envisions a pluralistic future where accessible tools empower everyone, steering humanity away from potential AI domination.
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Decentralized Defensive Acceleration
- Decentralized democratic defensive acceleration (D‑AC) aims to speed tech that protects and distributes power rather than concentrates it.
- The approach balances techno-optimism with caution about superintelligent AI and disempowerment.
Open Tools Stop A Future Pandemic
- Vitalik sketches a 2042 scenario where open monitoring, prediction markets, and pocket air testers stop a potential pandemic quickly.
- Community-driven ZK-protected data and personal AIs guide safer behavior and avert a major outbreak.
DIAC Discovery Day Sparked Real Cross-Field Dialogue
- Vitalik recounts DIAC Discovery Day at DevCon where experts from bio, cyber, and neurotech genuinely engaged with each other's work.
- The event succeeded at cross-field coalition building rather than superficial diversity theater.