Dear Singularitarians,

Before the invention of the printing press, access to knowledge was highly centralized. Books were basically copied by hand, and heavily controlled by religious or government institutions, making information scarce and easy to censor. 

When Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press enabled mass production of books, it decentralized knowledge, leading to an explosion of literacy, the Protestant Reformation, and ultimately, the rise of scientific inquiry.

If society knew that a technology as transformative as the printing press is coming, would it allow a few corporations to control its output, or would it ensure it serves all of humanity?

This is the question we now face with Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and likely not shortly after, Artificial Superintelligence. AGI will be capable of reasoning, learning, and adapting across a wide range of domains—immeasurably surpassing human intelligence. The implications of creating intelligent systems capable of recursive self-improvement are far greater than those of the printing press, electricity, or even the internet.

And as AGI looms on the horizon, two competing visions emerge: one dominated by corporate-controlled AI, where a handful of major technology companies dictate the rules, and the other driven by decentralized AI, where open collaboration and distributed systems offer a more democratized alternative.

Beyond a mere structural divide, the fight is also ideological—how AI should be governed, who should control its development, and how do we ensure that AI development heads in a direction that makes it a tool for empowerment rather than a mechanism of control?

Is the present already centralized?

Today, AI development is controlled by a handful of tech giants. These corporations own critical components of the AI stack—models, training data, and the compute power needed for development. Cloud infrastructure is dominated by companies like Amazon and Google, making it difficult for smaller players to compete.

Even outside the world of AI, the digital world that we inhabit today is not the one early Internet pioneers envisioned. Instead of a free and open ecosystem, some of those tech giants curate our online experiences, controlling access to information, manipulating user behavior through opaque algorithms, and harvesting personal data to feed the attention economy.

Artificial intelligence has only accelerated this trend. AI-driven platforms govern everything from the content we see to the products we buy, often prioritizing engagement over truth. Algorithms shape public discourse, reinforce biases, and fuel misinformation, while users have little say in how their data is used or how these systems function.

This centralization is more than an economic concern. It threatens AI’s ethical foundations. With profit as the primary driver, long-term safety and accountability are often sidelined. In May of 2024, OpenAI dissolved its Superalignment team, which focused on AI safety– a stark example of how corporate priorities can shift away from responsible development. Not to mention, many large organizations actively lobby governments to shape AI regulations in ways that cement their market dominance.

The path to decentralized AI is not an easy one. It requires new frameworks, new governance models, and new infrastructure. Blockchain-based security, open AI protocols, and interoperable networks must replace today’s walled gardens. The question is, who will take up the challenge?

Decentralizing AI is a Necessary Paradigm Shift

While the perils of corporate control over AI are stark, there is a compelling alternative: decentralization. This model is not merely an abstract ideal but a practical framework that could reshape the AI landscape in fundamental ways. The core idea is to distribute power, resources, and decision-making across a wide spectrum of participants rather than concentrating them in the hands of a few corporations.

By opening up the AI development process, decentralization allows a diverse array of voices—academics, independent developers, startups, and even hobbyists—to contribute. This leads to richer innovation, as unconventional approaches often emerge from the margins rather than from corporate R&D labs focused on profit margins.

Not to mention, a decentralized AI ecosystem mitigates the risks associated with monopolistic practices. When no single entity holds the reins, the likelihood of unchecked power accumulation decreases. This balance promotes a more competitive market where the focus shifts from short-term profits to long-term societal benefits.

Such a model could facilitate a more democratic distribution of technological benefits. By enabling researchers, engineers, ethicists, and communities to contribute collectively, decentralized AGI development fosters a system that is inherently more resilient and less prone to manipulation by singular interests. In this framework, AGI can be seen as a common good—its evolution steered by collective human intelligence rather than confined within the corporate boardrooms.

Ultimately, the answer to “who will shape the future of AI” is probably not the one you expected – it’s you. The future is not predetermined by the few corporate giants that dominate today; it is forged by the collective spirit of innovators, activists, and curious minds. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, an academic pushing the boundaries of research, or simply someone passionate about ethical progress, your ideas, choices, and actions are the building blocks of a decentralized AI ecosystem that champions transparency, accountability, and the benefit of all.

Join us in Decentralizing the Future of AI

At SingularityNET, we’re not just theorizing about a decentralized future for AI—we’re actively building it. Through initiatives like the recently announced BGI Nexus Deep Funding Round, we’re providing tangible support to projects dedicated to developing beneficial AGI. Our grant cycles, community discussions, and open-source collaborations are designed to empower innovators worldwide to create AI that serves humanity.

If you’re passionate about ensuring that AGI benefits everyone—not just a select few—then we invite you to join us. Explore our projects, participate in our open offices, and take part in shaping a future where AI is governed by ethical principles and shared values.

Together, we can create a vibrant ecosystem where groundbreaking ideas thrive and every contribution matters.

The future of AI is not predetermined. It will be shaped by the collective will of those who dare to challenge the status quo. Now is the time for a global conversation about the values we want to enshrine in our AI systems. Let us choose a future where technology serves as a catalyst for human progress and empowerment, rather than a tool for consolidating power in the hands of a few.

What will your stance be in this pivotal moment? Will you support a future of centralized corporate control, or will you champion a decentralized model that democratizes AI for the benefit of all humanity? The choice is ours to make.