Experts: AI and spatial computing emerge as the next frontier of decentralization, say analysts.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended as investment advice. The content and materials presented here are for educational purposes only.

To say that cryptocurrencies have revolutionized our understanding of financial systems would be an exaggeration. Despite the crypto market’s impressive $2 trillion market cap, the majority of people remain unaware or skeptical of this asset class. Even among those who regularly engage with cryptocurrencies, there are more speculators and marketers than true believers and builders who appreciate the true value of decentralized currencies.

While decentralized currencies offer benefits such as borderless transactions, transparent public ledgers, and the removal of intermediaries, they represent just a fraction of the broader conversation on decentralization and its advantages.

When we think about decentralization, blockchain technology has served as a testing ground. The question now is: what comes next? If Satoshi’s proof-of-work model aimed to decentralize and democratize the monetary system, which systems will be targeted by the next wave of developers and engineers who value privacy and liberty?

The answer may lie in two emerging technological fields: artificial intelligence (AI) and spatial computing.

The Rise of AI and Spatial Computing

Fixing the broken monetary system is undoubtedly a noble goal. However, for the decentralization movement to truly revolutionize society, it must collaborate on models and systems beyond financial infrastructures. The idea that “fixing the money will fix the world” oversimplifies the problem.

The next frontier for decentralization lies in how we interact with the world, both physical and virtual, through AI and spatial computing. If these technologies remain in the hands of centralized powers, they could lead us towards an Orwellian dystopia.

Imagine a world where Big Tech cartels control all our spatial data, dictating how we interact with our environment and each other. This scenario highlights the urgent need for community-driven networks, where autonomous individuals, rather than omnipotent centralized authorities, govern the realm.

Apple’s release of the augmented reality Vision Pro headset was hailed as a technological marvel by many, but others described it as a “dystopian mind prison.” Critics raised concerns about how this spatial computing device could fundamentally alter not just the nature of computers and our surroundings, but also our perception of reality. They argued that wearing such a device for hours each day could lead to corporate-controlled, perpetual social isolation, as if a data-driven Big Tech company had invaded our minds.

And where does AI fit into this conversation? AI-powered spatial computing intensifies the need for decentralization. AI integrated into autonomous vehicles, drones, and robots means we are navigating the world through immersive platforms. These platforms, a combination of augmented, virtual, and extended reality, are rapidly evolving. However, this technological leap could create a digital hellscape where powerless “citizens” become a disturbing reality.

Decentralizing the World with DePINs

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) are blockchain protocols that power physical hardware infrastructure and systems, such as energy grids and logistics operations. While they have been discussed for years, they have only recently started to go live. The sector has grown from around $10 billion to $25 billion in the past six months, and it is estimated that nearly 1,000 DePIN networks are currently operational.

DePIN networks are a significant step towards decentralizing not only our monetary systems but also essential real-world resources like energy, telecommunications networks, computing power, and water. They aim to do so in an egalitarian manner.

These networks are particularly relevant in the context of AI and spatial computing. All three technologies are data-driven, with spatial computing being the part of AI that understands the physical world. If AI is already entering the workforce (ChatGPT alone generates vast amounts of content for marketers), spatial computing will bring it into the physical labor market.

Efforts to control the data flowing through AI and the spatial and environmental data collected by spatial computing platforms must be vigorously resisted. Centralized control not only leads to manipulation and surveillance but also creates a single point of failure. DePINs offer a potential solution to manage these technologies in a fair manner.

Introducing Posemesh

Posemesh is a decentralized protocol designed for the forthcoming era of smart cities. It enables secure and private exchange of spatial data and computing power among digital devices, effectively turning smartphones and wearable technologies into distributed spatial computers.

In the Posemesh, data and computing resources are allocated optimally to serve each participant’s economic interests. Connected devices can contribute or request sensor data, processing power, storage, and networking/monitoring services. While using these services incurs a fee, providing them generates rewards. The Posemesh is a spatial computing protocol built on the principles of decentralization.

This approach has profound economic implications. By democratizing access to spatial data and computing power, tech giants’ monopolies can be dismantled, allowing individuals and small businesses to tap into a wealth of information and computational resources that were previously out of reach.

The Posemesh Foundation aims to establish a universal spatial computing protocol for the next 100 billion people, devices, and AI. Additionally, Auki Labs, the team behind Posemesh, has announced the creation of a blockchain-based rewards and reputation layer. This will enable Posemesh to operate as a public utility serving civilization rather than a profit-driven corporate entity.

As we move towards smart cities powered by transformative technologies like 5G, AI, the Internet of Things, and spatial computing, the broader decentralization movement must ensure that these cities remain accessible to all without compromising privacy and autonomy. While the journey to fix the monetary system continues, it is also time to fix the world.