Artificial intelligence (AI), while making a significant contribution to improving human life, also raises questions of reliability and trustworthiness; However, blockchain technology can go a long way towards increasing human trust in systems based on artificial intelligence.
AI is a new generation technology in which machines and information systems exhibit some form of intelligence that simulates the natural intelligence of humans as they interact with the environment; However, the success of any AI-based system also depends on the trust of the beneficiaries in the AI technology. Data, models, and analytics are the three key components of AI technology, along with other factors. One can decentralize these three key components using blockchain technology, and this will undoubtedly improve end-user confidence in AI-based systems.
Understanding key characteristics of blockchain technology
Apparently, blockchain technology holds the promise of solving many problems, but much remains to be explored as the global adoption of blockchain is set to increase significantly in the future. According to a forecast by Statista, global blockchain technology sales are expected to grow to more than $39 billion by 2025.
The key features of blockchain technology that make it so popular and attractive are:
- Decentralized technology: In contrast to the traditional banking system, there is no central authority to monitor the network. Authentication and authorization of transactions can be done without the aid of a single government agency.
- Distributed ledgers: Instead of storing data in a central repository, it is synchronized, shared and logged across multiple nodes in a shared infrastructure.
- Consensus-based: Every transaction in the blockchain network is carried out if all relevant network nodes agree to the transaction.
- Immutability & security: Once a transaction has been registered in the blockchain network, it can no longer be changed by anyone. The hash is irreversible on blockchain, which makes the technology very secure.
Understanding key characteristics of artificial intelligence
Let’s talk about the key features of AI that make it unique and, when combined with increased adoption of blockchain, can make the world a better place to live. Critical Characteristics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are:
- Adaptive: Artificial intelligence technology is highly adaptable as it adapts quickly to the environment through a progressive learning algorithm, observes the environment and quickly learns to do better.
- Data ingestion: AI is used to analyze the vast amounts of data that are spread across billions of records.Reactive: In contrast to conventional applications, AI-based systems are very reactive because they react to the changing environment. AI systems are able to call up rules and procedures under certain conditions.
Automation: AI systems can automate repetitive tasks without the need for human intervention. With the help of AI technology, machines can perform real human tasks.
Human trust in AI: The key challenges
One of the best physicists of the century, Stephen Hawking said that the development of a complete artificial intelligence could mean the end of the human race.
With advances in technology, trust has become a critical factor in human-technology interaction. In the past, people mainly relied on technology because it worked as expected, but the emergence of artificial intelligence solutions is not staying the same because of the following challenges:
- Openness: AI-based applications are designed to be adaptive, reactive, and have their own intelligence to respond to situations. Anyone can use them sensibly or use them for nefarious purposes. Hence, people have some reservations about trusting AI-based solutions.
- Transparency: One of the main problems affecting human trust in AI applications is a lack of transparency. AI developers should clarify the amount of personal data used and the benefits and risks of trustworthy use of the application.
- Privacy: AI made data collection and analysis a lot easier; However, end users bear the brunt as the collection of vast amounts of data by companies around the world can compromise the privacy of the users whose data is being collected.
How the use of blockchain technology can increase human trust in AI
Blockchain technology can play a vital role in building human trust in AI-based applications by increasing transparency and trust in the following ways.
Building trust
One of the biggest challenges AI developers face is that people always doubt how and when AI-powered applications will use their data. On the other hand, in blockchain-enabled AI applications, nobody can access the data without the permission of the user. Your data to the artificial intelligence application or to the provider via a blockchain ledger in accordance with their terms and conditions.
Data privacy and security
The distributed form of data exchange can play a very important role in reducing the trust deficit in AI applications. The data is highly secure as there is no central point at which malicious actors can attack. In addition, the distributed ledger provides greater visibility and accountability for real-time data as it is available to all interested participants.
Consensus and decision-making
One of the critical characteristics of blockchain technology is consensus-based transactions. All decisions made must be coordinated by all parties involved, and unauthorized access or data manipulation without the consent of the users becomes almost impossible.
Decentralization and data distribution
There is tremendous distrust of data governance, including the collection, storage, and use of data with AI. With blockchain technology, AI applications can store their data in a distributed and decentralized environment. Distributed autonomous organizations (DAOs) can be used effectively and smart contracts for data management and distribution.
Data integrity
One of the biggest challenges with AI-powered applications is how data integrity is maintained over time. In traditional applications with a client-server architecture, data is collected from clients and stored on a centralized server. With Blockchain technology integrated with artificial intelligence applications, duplication of information is avoided to a large extent. Full transparency, traceability and accountability make data more usable.
Higher efficiency
While AI can provide real-time analysis of huge amounts of data, an AI system coupled with blockchain technology can provide a transparent data governance model for faster validation between different stakeholders through smart contracts and DAOs.
Blockchain benefits can address AI’s shortcomings
Applying the benefits of blockchain technology can help address various shortcomings in AI and increase people’s confidence in AI-based applications. With blockchain, AI applications acquire the qualities of decentralization, distributed data management, data immutability, transparency, security and responsibility in real time.
Many AI-enabled intelligent systems have been criticized for their lack of security and trust. Blockchain technology can essentially help to remedy security and trust deficits to a large extent. Great challenges remain for both blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. Still, when combined, they have enormous potential and complement each other to restore the confidence factor and improve overall efficiency.
