When Web3 Meets Centralization, Does It Have Free Will?

By Hedy Bi, OKG Research

Excerpt from Prof. Brian Wong’s Perspectives in the Talk with OKG Research

• AI Philosophical Rhapsody: When AI becomes the new species, reshuffling the world?
• Prof. Brian Wong Intro

It’s quite coincidental that just this Thursday, following the Talk with OKG Research podcast, I engaged in a Twitter Space discussion where the topic of free will emerged. The question revolved around whether the introduction of Bitcoin ETF is a compromise to decentralisation, possibly falling under the control of Wall Street.

Here, Professor Brian Wong’s viewpoint fits perfectly. He suggests that we won't lose free will as long as we perceive free will. It’s akin to every instance of technology “intruding” into our world, rapidly changing our lives and work patterns.

In this podcast, a couple of topics stood out to me as profoundly significant, resonating with the original intentions behind the invention of Bitcoin: efficiency and decentralisation, technology, and free will.

Unlike other industries, web3 is a rapidly evolving sector, often described as “crypto in a day, a year in the human world.” We witnessed the early morning miners in DeFi. We also seen operational partners adjusting their schedules to align with U.S. users, where in the crypto world, there’s no UTC+N, only UTC. This provides the most convenient way of calculation, doing additions and subtractions on our own.

Therefore, we swiftly tackle one digital project after another, a seemingly magical and potentially bubble-filled journey. However, taking a moment to reflect on their significance is crucial.

With hope, we anticipate more markets, including traditional financial markets, joining this field while also aspiring for this market to maintain its initial intentions.

The topic for this edition is well-suited for those of us sprinting at high speed to pause and contemplate these matters.

So, we begin with the most crucial question: What is free will?

Previously, I used to ponder whether AI, if endowed with autonomy, would encroach upon our world. However, I didn’t delve deeper into the thought. Sometimes, our environment is already determined, and so is our society. Does free will already cease to exist in such a structure? Or have we, within this framework, already found the meaning of our existence?

Here, Brian puts it this way:

“Even if a form of artificial intelligence emerges that can mimic, replicate, or duplicate human thought patterns and behaviours, what does it matter?

As long as our political freedom, civic freedom, and societal freedom are not interfered with, oppressed, or experiencing contraction due to these emerging AIs, as long as we do not witness the occurrence of these negative trends or phenomena, I believe it is purely a philosophical consideration.

Will our autonomy be discounted as a result, or will it decline due to the rise of autonomy in other species, or will the autonomy of other species impact our autonomous decisions? To be honest, we have long been living in a society where ourselves are influenced by other selves, by the selves of others, leading to a fundamental interdependence among us humans.”

In this way, only when we trust, then the bitcoin crypto world will have its meaning and value. So, that might be the core.

Here are some fascinating excerpts related to our talk.

H: Looking back to the beginning of last year, when the research institute examined industry trends and proposed the imminent widespread adoption, Web3 transitioned from idealism to pragmatism. At that time, the industry discourse didn’t delve into seemingly “boring” topics like tokenisation but instead focused more on internal aspects of the Web3 industry.

Reviewing the entirety of 2023, we can actually see that the areas we had our sights on at the beginning of the year have all been unfolding one by one. With increasing compliance in locations like Hong Kong and the United States and growing connections with financial institutions, including the emergence of the dark horse Open AI reaching a million users in just a few days, sparking a phenomenon-level discussion. In 2024, our attention will be more centred on the technological integration of Web3 and AI.

With the assistance of the blockchain’s inherent fairness feature, it can help us combat errors in AI. For example, we are improving privacy and providing new avenues for data ownership. The second aspect that we are eagerly anticipating in 2024 is the introduction of AI agents to lower the barriers of entry for Web3, allowing it to return to a more people-centric focus. The third aspect is that AIGC can make a Web3er into a Web3 team, so we expect more and more projects in 2024 with high efficiency.

B: There are a few key sectors in the technology field that I’d like to highlight.

The first area of focus is renewable energy, particularly its integration with Web3. Using blockchain platforms like ESE Compliance can facilitate real-time emission monitoring and disclosure, especially in the context of COVID-related missions and emissions regulations (Scope 1, 2, and 3). I am optimistic about this sector's regulatory and monitoring aspects, which are gaining prominence in investment discussions for the next two to three years. Additionally, attention is warranted for the electric vehicle (EV) sector, which benefits from the shift to new electric vehicles in developing countries. However, challenges like overcapacity and intense domestic competition pose risks such as overproduction.

The second sector I want to emphasise is medical technology, which is becoming increasingly crucial in an aging society. I am optimistic about aging tech, senior care tech, biotech, and the intersection of bio-health in the medical technology sector. These three pillars offer significant development potential.

Additionally, quantum computing and AI are essential sectors. While AI stands to gain from technological leaps in hardware and software, it’s crucial to pay attention to value-added areas like cloud computing. Cloud computing, especially in the Middle East, where several tech giants have established themselves, is deepening collaborations with local entities in cloud computing and AI, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the three major sectors I mentioned — health, renewables, cloud computing, and AI at launch — are worth watching in the technological landscape.

B： This is an excellent question that addresses the issue of artificial intelligence in handling misinformation, explicitly focusing on accuracy and biases introduced by generative AI. Firstly, unlike traditional search engines, generative AI doesn’t simply provide precise answers. It operates on probability models and information within databases, generating responses based on probability patterns. However, it doesn’t emphasise the management of truth or facts; instead, it prioritises the volume of data in its database.

Due to the presence of hallucinations and erroneous outputs in generative AI, there is a need to consider how to enhance its accuracy. One must understand that generative AI is not a perfect fact gatherer but instead relies on probability models for its outcomes. Addressing this issue involves considering a decentralised certifier (Oracle) model, employing blockchain economics for an active and dynamic certification process, akin to the editing model of Wikipedia but on a larger and more extensive scale.

On the other hand, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) plays a crucial role in safeguarding encrypted inputs and outputs. ZKP ensures secure data transmission for AI involving encrypted information, preventing network attacks and vulnerabilities. By using ZKP, we can reinforce encryption and certification processes, ensuring mutual trust among different stakeholders and enhancing the overall credibility of artificial intelligence.

These two directions are crucial considerations for developers and expanders of Web3. In summary, improving artificial intelligence's accuracy and data security requires implementing decentralised certification and Zero Knowledge Proof.

H： In a previous article I wrote for the Financial Times, I mentioned that Intelligent AI might be an excellent entry point.

The convergence of AI and Web3 has the potential to usher in a new era of intelligent Web3, forming a symbiotic relationship between humans, machines, and decentralised networks. This amalgamation envisions a Web3 with cognitive capabilities, where AI empowers machines to learn, reason, and decide similarly to humans. This collaboration facilitates seamless communication between machines, enhancing information exchange, comprehension, and responsiveness.

Beyond the advantages related to data control, privacy, and transparency, the intelligent Web3 of the future brings forth additional benefits. These encompass personalised intelligent services, decentralised business models, economic incentives, and features like “permissionless” payments. For instance, AI contributes to the creation of a Web3 wallet for identity and fund management. Smart contracts further enable the implementation of logic and rules governing payments, paving the way for transactions without reliance on traditional financial institutions. This collaborative evolution of AI and Web3 holds the promise of a more intelligent, efficient, and inclusive digital landscape.

B: The future humanity faces is open yet closely intertwined with three main threads, indirectly influencing or determining the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence. These three main threads revolve around determining our production value, the ethical constructs at the societal and international levels, and our grasp of truth, facts, and the overall discovery process. These three issues are crucial, and I will explore each one individually.

Starting with the first point concerning productivity, discussions often revolve around whether artificial intelligence will replace human work. Arguments suggesting that AI can imitate or surpass humans in certain areas tend to predict the imminent replacement of humans. However, a counterargument asserts that uniqueness, including creativity and inherent human qualities, cannot be easily replicated or replaced. While AI may excel in repetitive tasks, including those in education or technical fields, it does not necessarily mean it can replace humans in complex, open-ended tasks. The critical aspect often overlooked is the edge productivity of labour — how AI affects the productivity of different categories of people, skills, or industries. This includes positive and negative impacts on employment conditions, negotiations, and overall empowerment in the workplace.

Illustrating this, the rise of AI in the financial market, particularly in stock trading, has significantly reduced the edge productivity of traditional traders. On the other hand, AI has created new opportunities in fields related to AI regulation, law, and engineering. The shift in demand for skills and labour in these emerging industries reflects the changing landscape of employment conditions.

Moving on to the second thread, ethical constructs are vital, especially in the context of societal and international ethics. The development of AI necessitates robust regulation and ethical standards to prevent misuse and ensure fairness. The global community needs to collaborate in establishing cross-border ethical frameworks to address global challenges posed by AI, promoting justice and equality.

The third point delves into our mastery of truth and facts and the potential impact of AI on the accuracy of information. While AI can provide more accurate indications and deeper insights, there is a concern about whether it might introduce errors and disturbances in our understanding of information. The ability to discern and evaluate the credibility of information becomes crucial in navigating the complex landscape of AI-generated content.

In conclusion, AI's impact on humanity's future is complex and diverse. Addressing these issues requires comprehensively considering productivity, ethics, and information mastery. By doing so, we can ensure that the development of AI aligns with human interests and contributes to society's sustainable and healthy progression.

H： This means that we strive not to be replaced by AI but to focus on fostering creativity rather than merely relying on edge labour productivity.

Many times, when we consider a new technology, it has the potential to disrupt specific industries and bring about significant changes. An excellent example of this is Web3, akin to the early days of blockchain technology when it was perceived to disrupt the financial industry and lead to widespread unemployment.

However, looking at it now, Web3 has created numerous new job opportunities. Therefore, Web3 could serve as a compelling case study about AI.

B： The issue of regulation is a pressing concern in our current era, marked by two significant crises that demand global cooperation. Regulatory in AI and substantial abandonment related to climate change, ecological disasters, and industrial crises. These challenges should be treated as major areas requiring international collaboration or cooperation.

On the AI front, if nations fail to reach a consensus on AI regulation, it could lead to arbitrage situations where discrepancies between information and regulation create opportunities for strategic exploitation. This could be exploited by both conscientious and unscrupulous actors in the business world. The asymmetry between governments, the private sector, and within the business sector itself regarding the development and security of AI has negative implications.

Furthermore, the geopolitical competition involving AI among nations, whether in economic, financial, military, or defense aspects, poses a risk reminiscent of the arms race during the Cold War. As some experts suggest, wars in the 21st century may be centred around AI, especially in conflicts between major powers. Thus, every effort should be made to minimise the probability of wars, particularly AI-driven ones.

I fully agree that there must be clear barriers against using AI for military purposes between nations. Without a basic agreement, the consequences could be severe, especially if AI evolves to an uncontrollable and inexplicable state. Uncontrollability and lack of accountability in AI applications for military purposes might lead to unintended outcomes, exacerbating tensions or escalating conflicts.

It's a complex scenario regarding the different approaches to AI regulation between China, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. China emphasises a top-down, government-led regulatory process. At the same time, the United States appears to adopt a more laissez-faire model driven by the influence of tech giants and their focus on protecting commercial interests.

Europe stands out for its emphasis on safeguarding citizen rights, privacy, and information accuracy. The European Union places a premium on ensuring citizens’ rights and access to accurate information, even if it means adopting a cautious approach to technological development. This focus on human rights and citizen protection is a valuable lesson for China and the United States.

In conclusion, a pragmatic approach is needed, recognising the diversity of political values, perspectives, ecosystems, and models across different regions and countries. The key is to respect local values and push for AI regulation that serves the local population. This pragmatic approach is essential for addressing the challenges of our time.

OKG Research aims at outputing in-depth analysis and professional content which covers topics such as technology application and innovation, technology and social evolution, and financial technology challenges. It is committed to promoting the application and sustainable development of digital technologies such as blockchain, cybersecurity, RegTech etc.

Twitter: OKG Research

When Web3 Meets Centralization, Does It Have Free Will? was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.