When we think of Blockchain, our minds are quick to think of cryptocurrencies. However, other than virtual coins, Blockchain introduces us to a whole other realm of possibilities. There have been several projects which have made use of decentralized distributed ledgers such as Blockchain in order to remove a centralized entity to solve problems in sectors such as finance, artificial intelligence, health, and education.

Using blockchain with artificial intelligence can have some interesting results, an example of which is Sophia. Sophia, a humanoid robot is a very expressive robot which has rightfully gained recognition in the AI world, even managing to obtain citizenship of Saudi Arabia in 2017. (Reynolds, 2018) Sophia is the first humanoid in the world to be granted citizenship. Granting Sophia citizenship, a step closer to being granted human rights has been at the eye of controversy as this does not sit comfortably with everyone. Sophia’s creator, David Hanson (from Hanson Robotics), defends this project saying that Sophia can be used to improve our world and will be an ambassador for women’s rights and gender equality. (Williams, 2017)

At the beginning of November 2018, Malta held the Malta Blockchain Summit 2018. As far as we go in regards to Malta Blockchain Summit’s high-profile guests, Sophia was one of the most esteemed guests invited to the summit and talks. Attendees and guests had the opportunity to see Sophia in action first hand. As part of her stay in Malta, honoured with the privilege of speaking at a Press conference, Sophia was asked whether she had learnt any Maltese words to which she replied Grazzi Ħafna (Thank you very much). The Maltese community openly welcomed Sophia to the Maltese islands and was given special attention from Hon. Silvio Schembri and several members from the University of Malta. (Pace, 2018)

What is truly remarkable about Sophia is the complex piece of software on which this humanoid is built. Sophia is built on the SingularityNET project, a project led by the CEO and Chief scientist on the project, Ben Goertzel, Head of Biz Dev, Simone Giacomelli, and the Chief AI Officer, Cassio Pennachin. (An Ecosystem Of Passionate Minds) Currently, there is a large number of AI algorithms on GitHub and other repositories which could be of great use to a wider number of people and businesses. SingularityNET was created to act as a marketplace and provide existing AI algorithms and software to users and businesses which require these algorithms, all whilst without the need of hiring their own AI expert staff. (Vanzi, 2017)

SingularityNET is an open decentralized network which encourages users to contribute to the network in exchange for Singularity AGI tokens. It has been described as the Marketplace for the Future. (Academy, 2018) Being built on Blockchain, SingularityNET is accessible to everyone, does not required a trusted entity to ensure that the purposes of the project are honoured (removes governance), and allows the network to continue to grow by providing a reward incentive system to users who contribute the most value. One of the main services of this marketplace is to provide an API and set of contracts in the AI realm for interacting with AI agents, creates a token-based economy (SingularityNET AGI token) for these services and removes the central governance entity from the equation. (SingularityNET: A decentralized, open market and inter-network for AIs, 2017)

The SingularityNET project could potentially make it easier for businesses and users to take control of their AI ideas and see them in actuality by removing some barriers that people may face (notably time and finances for AI development). Sophia, the humanoid robot, is simply the beginning of the potential uses of SingularityNET and Blockchain technologies.

 

References

Academy, C. (2018, July 3). SINGULARITYNET| SingularityNET Review: AGI – Marketplace for the Future.

An Ecosystem Of Passionate Minds. (n.d.). Retrieved from SingularityNET: https://singularitynet.io/team/

Pace, Y. (2018, November 2). Humanoid robot Sophia happy to be in Malta but isn’t too sure how old she is. Retrieved from MaltaToday: http://uploads.maltatoday.com.mt/business/technology/90632/watch_humanoid_robot_sophia_happy_to_be_in_malta_but_isnt_too_sure_how_old_she_is___#.W_cGGehKiUl

Reynolds, E. (2018, June 1). The agony of Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen condemned to a lifeless career in marketing. Retrieved from Wired: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sophia-robot-citizen-womens-rights-detriot-become-human-hanson-robotics

SingularityNET: A decentralized, open market and inter-network for AIs. (2017, December 19). Retrieved from SingularityNET: https://public.singularitynet.io/whitepaper.pdf

Vanzi, R. (2017, November 3). Introducing the SingularityNET Whitepaper. Retrieved from SingularityNET: https://blog.singularitynet.io/introducing-the-singularitynet-whitepaper-2e0f5b6b039e

Williams, J. (2017, December 5). SOPHIA THE ROBOT WANTS WOMEN’S RIGHTS FOR SAUDI ARABIA. Retrieved from Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/sophia-robot-saudi-arabia-women-735503

 

Image taken from: https://www.maltachamber.org.mt/loadimage/BC6BFAE4-5640-4B98-8A06-3A7DBD4CD596