Majority of Americans Opt for Decentralized Artificial Intelligence Over Centralized Systems
In a recent survey, a majority of Americans have expressed a strong preference for Decentralized AI (DeAI), a system that distributes the infrastructure and control of artificial intelligence across multiple actors, rather than concentrating it in centralized corporations or institutions [1].
The appeal of DeAI is multifaceted. For many, it offers greater privacy and security, as data stays on individual devices, reducing the risks of hacks, surveillance, and misuse [1]. DeAI is also seen as more reliable and robust, with its lack of a single point of failure, and more cost-effective, as it leverages local computing power rather than expensive centralized cloud infrastructure [1][4].
Moreover, DeAI promotes transparency, auditability, and fairness by preventing any single company or tech giant from controlling the AI models, aligning with American values of individual control, openness, and privacy in technology [1][2]. This decentralized approach supports an open and community-driven approach, fostering rapid innovation and solutions tailored to the needs of each community.
In business contexts, DeAI allows companies to build custom, vertical-specific AI models that keep sensitive data private while enabling collaboration and innovation without surrendering control to third parties [2]. Additionally, decentralized markets for AI compute resources provide more flexible, scalable, and affordable access to GPU power than traditional centralized cloud providers [4].
The integration of technologies like blockchain with AI is one of the major advances in DeAI, allowing calculations to be validated securely and decentralized, which offers greater guarantees for critical sectors like health and finance [5]. This integration facilitates the creation of secure and transparent systems without the need for a central authority.
The study shows that the American public values the potential of DeAI to transform economic sectors and promote societal progress. The digital community seeks transparent and fair access, where innovation is not restricted by the policies of a few companies or governments, but can flourish in an open and collaborative environment [3].
Emerging companies and startups see DeAI as the way to develop more secure, transparent, and reliable applications that also respect users' sovereignty over their data [6]. Tony Douglas, CEO of DNA Fund, considers DeAI to be a key opportunity to drive economic growth and innovation [7]. The development of DeAI responds to concerns about privacy and data control, allowing users to maintain sovereignty over their own data.
The movement towards DeAI reflects a growing distrust of institutions and the possible censorship or restrictions that could limit the free development of technology. Approximately 75% of American citizens support policies aimed at preventing the monopolization of control in artificial intelligence systems [8]. The integration of this technology with AI is one of the major advances in democratizing access, promoting competition, and reducing the risks associated with monopolization.
Interestingly, 59% of Americans think that AI should be a public good, accessible to all and not a tool in the service of specific interests [9]. This sentiment aligns with the prevailing view that an open and decentralized structure for AI promotes open participation, drives rapid innovation, and offers solutions more adaptable to the needs of each community.
In summary, DeAI is favored particularly in the US for its enhanced privacy, security, cost efficiency, customization, and alignment with values around control and openness, contrasting with traditional centralized AI systems that aggregate data and authority in single entities prone to risks and vendor lock-in [1][2][4][5]. The survey reveals that 67% of Americans believe that centralized AI can be more biased, and 88% of Harris' survey participants stated that individuals should have more authority over their information [2]. The study shows that the American public values the potential of DeAI to create a more inclusive and resilient society.
Decentralized AI (DeAI) is valued for fostering greater security, as individuals retain control over their data, reducing the risks of hacks, surveillance, and misuse. Moreover, the integration of technologies like blockchain with AI in DeAI offers guarantees for critical sectors like health and finance, providing secure and transparent systems without a central authority.
