The Ethics and Benefits of Decentralised AI

Who controls the AI that shapes our world today? And should it be different?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has woven itself into the fabric of our lives, from personalised recommendations, to helping us interact with our favourite web3 project, even to advanced medical diagnostics. Yet, as AI becomes more central to how we live and work, the questions of control, fairness, and accessibility grow more pressing.

Centralised AI systems, controlled by the largest corporations ever formed, dominate the landscape. This article explores how decentralised AI addresses critical ethical concerns and the tangible benefits it offers to individuals, businesses, and society.

The Ethical Concerns of Centralised AI

Centralised AI systems have helped revolutionise industries, but their dominance raises serious ethical questions.

Data Privacy and Ownership

Centralised AI depends on the aggregation of vast amounts of user data, typically stored on corporate servers. While this approach enables powerful insights and innovations, it also introduces significant risks.

Users that incorporate AI into their day-to-day life or in a professional setting may be sending a huge volume of incredibly private data to these services, would you like someone to be able to read through all of your conversations with ChatGPT for example?

One such risk is data breaches, which expose sensitive personal information to unauthorised parties. The Cambridge Analytica scandal, for example, demonstrated how mishandled data could be weaponized to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in institutions. This highlights a critical issue: users have little control over how their data is collected, stored, and used, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation or misuse by centralised entities.

Such risks underscore the urgent need for alternative systems that prioritise transparency, user autonomy, and robust data protection.

Bias and Fairness

AI systems trained on biased data often perpetuate or amplify inequalities. Centralised companies may lack transparency in addressing these issues, for example;

Recruitment tools have been found to disadvantage women and minorities.
Algorithmic bias in judicial systems has led to unfair sentencing recommendations.

Monopoly on AI Power

The majority of AI advancements remain in the hands of a few tech giants. This concentration of power limits innovation and creates an uneven playing field, leaving smaller players—both individuals and businesses—at a disadvantage. We’re already seeing incredible centralisation in the AI industry, with most of the traffic, data, and revenue going directly to OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.

How Decentralised AI Promotes Ethical AI

Decentralised AI offers a promising alternative, tackling the above concerns by fostering a more open and inclusive ecosystem.

Transparency and Accountability: In decentralised systems, public records can track how data is processed and models are trained. With community-driven governance, decisions are less likely to favour corporate interests over ethical considerations.
Enhanced Privacy: Technologies like federated learning enable AI to train on local devices rather than central servers, keeping sensitive data secure. For example, your health data can stay on your device while contributing to the development of a diagnostic model.
Fair Access: Decentralisation reduces barriers to entry, enabling individuals and small businesses to participate in AI innovation. More voices in the ecosystem dilute monopolistic practices and democratise the benefits of AI.

Tangible Benefits of Decentralised AI

Beyond ethical considerations, decentralisation also delivers significant practical advantages.

Improved Security: By eliminating single points of failure, decentralised AI systems are more resilient to cyberattacks. For example, blockchain-based fraud detection systems distribute data across the network, making them harder to compromise.
Cost Efficiency and Collaboration: Pooling resources—data, computation power, or expertise—across decentralised networks reduces operational costs. Projects can thrive without requiring massive upfront investments, benefiting researchers and businesses alike.
Empowerment of Local Communities: Centralised AI often overlooks specific regional needs. Decentralised AI, however, can cater to underserved communities with localised solutions. For example, building AI tools that understand indigenous languages and solve region-specific problems.
Innovation Through Openness: Open-source AI encourages experimentation and community-driven development. Platforms like Hugging Face have already demonstrated the power of this collaborative approach, and networks like SubQuery enable decentralised hosting and processing for Web3 and AI applications.

Conclusion

Decentralised AI represents more than just a technological shift—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how we develop, govern, and benefit from artificial intelligence. By addressing the critical ethical concerns of centralised systems, such as privacy violations, biases, and monopolies, decentralised AI paves the way for a fairer, more inclusive, and resilient future.

The question is no longer just "What kind of AI future do you want to see?" but "How can we collectively shape an AI ecosystem that reflects the values of transparency, fairness, and accessibility?" The shift toward decentralisation isn’t merely an opportunity; it’s a responsibility for everyone—developers, businesses, and users—to support and advocate for a more equitable AI-driven world.

The power to redefine the AI landscape lies in our hands. Together, we can build a future where AI serves not the few but the many. The journey has begun—are you ready to be part of it?

About SubQuery

SubQuery Network is innovating web3 infrastructure with tools that empower builders to decentralise the future - without compromise. Our flexible DePIN infrastructure network powers the fastest data indexers, the most scalable RPCs, innovative Data Nodes, and leading open source AI models. We are the roots of the web3 landscape, helping blockchain developers and their cutting-edge applications to flourish. We’re not just a company - we’re a movement driving an inclusive and decentralised web3 era. Let’s shape the future of web3, together.