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Jul 17, 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become a focal point of technological innovation, captivating tech enthusiasts and attracting significant investments. Given the massive interest, it comes as no surprise that tech giant Microsoft is keen on expanding its influence in the AI domain. In a recent announcement, Microsoft unveiled its partnership with layer-1 blockchain company, Aptos Labs, to further explore the convergence of AI and web3 technologies.
Aptos Labs' CEO and co-founder, Mo Shaikh, mentioned in a discussion with TechCrunch+ that the central aim of this collaboration is to address distinct challenges faced within their individual sectors. A remarkable aspect of this partnership is the use of Aptos' blockchain to enhance the training of Microsoft's AI models. Shaikh elaborated that Aptos is set to operate validator nodes for its blockchain on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. This integration is expected to bolster the reliability and fortify the security of Aptos’ services.
Daniel An, Microsoft's global director of business development for AI and web3, expressed optimism about the fusion of AI and web3. He shared insights with TechCrunch+ stating, “AI's infusion into web3 frameworks will likely intensify in the foreseeable future.”
Shaikh highlighted the ubiquitous influence of AI, from its capability to streamline tasks like identifying top-rated restaurants to aiding professionals in code development and research endeavors. Yet, with the increasing prevalence of AI, concerns surrounding the transparency, credibility, and verification of AI-created content have surged.
Daniel An shed light on these issues, pondering on the authenticity of outputs from large language models (LLMs) and the potential biases in their training data. He envisioned blockchain as a potent solution, emphasizing its ability to authenticate, timestamp, and attribute content to its original source, thereby fortifying its credibility in a decentralized digital landscape.
Drawing a parallel, An described LLMs as "hypercharged content creators" and praised blockchains for embodying transparency and trust. He advocated for the significance of gaining user trust in AI, asserting that blockchain's transparent nature can bolster public faith in AI-driven content.
Cementing the synergy between AI and web3, Shaikh stressed the indispensable role of verifiable, credible information in training AI models. He credited Aptos Labs' proficiency in offering a performant blockchain with impressive throughput. Aptos' blockchain is laudable for its ability to manage up to 160,000 transactions every second, aiming to amplify this capacity even further by the year's conclusion. According to Messari research, Aptos’ blockchain stands out, rivaling Avalanche, boasting a commendable time-to-finality under a second.
The attributes of Aptos' blockchain, such as its rapid throughput, swift settlement durations, and its cost-effective usage model, render it a lucrative choice for technological behemoths like Microsoft, aspiring to innovate in AI.
Highlighting the two-way benefit, the integration of mature tech enterprises into the web3 tech realm might pave the way for deeper immersion into AI. An emphasized the challenges faced by developers in drafting secure smart contracts due to its complexity. Yet, with tools like the GitHub Copilot that support blockchain-oriented contract development and Aptos Assistant, an AI-driven chatbot designed to bridge Web 2.0 with web3, the transition for non-web3-native enterprises into decentralized technology might become smoother.
In essence, the Microsoft-Aptos Labs collaboration symbolizes the promising horizon where AI meets web3, marking the dawn of a new era in technological advancement.