Gaia Co-Founder Identifies Centralized Models, Data Access As Key Roadblocks To Decentralized AI Shift

Even as artificial intelligence industry remains concentrated in the hands of major corporations like OpenAI and Google, Shashank Sripada, co-founder of Gaia, believes that while these firms have built powerful models, their dominance is not guaranteed.

“Despite significant investment, being first to market doesn't ensure long-term success, just like we saw with Netscape and Internet Explorer,” he said, in an interview with Benzinga.

Sripada argues that the real value of AI will come not from large language models (LLMs) but from AI agents running a mix of open-source models.

“Our focus is on helping institutions, enterprises, and individuals rapidly and affordably build and deploy AI agents, rather than competing in the LLM race,” he explained.

One of the biggest misunderstandings about AI, according to Sripada, is that most people equate AI solely with large language models like ChatGPT.

“The public doesn't fully grasp what AI agents are,” he said. “LLMs have mostly been used for convenience, but true AI agents will go beyond simple tasks to interact with followers, assist businesses, and even generate revenue in real time,” he said.

Bias in AI models remains a major issue, particularly when models are trained and controlled by centralized entities. Sripada believes the best way to mitigate bias is to expand decentralization in AI development.

“As long as LLMs are centrally controlled, bias is unavoidable,” he said. “Decentralized AI allows diverse models to flourish, ensuring a broader range of perspectives and reducing reliance on monopolistic players like OpenAI and Google.”

Gaia’s approach includes a token-based validation mechanism that enables users to verify AI models and their biases. “Our network lets users stake tokens to validate and certify AI agents, making bias and legitimacy more transparent,” Sripada added.

AI is not just changing the way people work but also reshaping business creation itself.

Sripada envisions a future where AI agents replace traditional middlemen in industries ranging from finance to content creation.

“AI agents will allow individuals to run businesses with efficiency levels previously reserved for hedge funds or major movie studios,” he said.

He likens this shift to YouTube's disruption of the entertainment industry.

“YouTube democratized content creation away from big studios. AI will do the same for businesses, enabling individuals to compete on a global scale with minimal barriers to entry.”

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A significant challenge in the AI space is data privacy and ownership.

Sripada believes current tech giants have convinced users their data is worthless while profiting enormously from it.

“Google and Facebook have made trillions off user data while convincing the public it has no value,” he said.

“Decentralized AI will return ownership to individuals, ensuring they receive compensation when their data or ideas are used.”

Looking ahead, Sripada does not believe AI development will remain centralized.

“While basic AI tools like ChatGPT might persist, real AI value will come from decentralized agents, which will be cheaper and more efficient,” he predicted.

He also believes tightening global regulations on AI will push more developers toward open-source, decentralized models.

“Governments will continue regulating AI monetization, but decentralized networks will provide an alternative, preventing monopolistic control over human knowledge.”

Decentralized AI presents a viable alternative to the dominance of corporate-controlled artificial intelligence, but adoption is still in its early stages.

Sripada emphasizes that the key to mass adoption lies in building accessible AI agents that empower individuals and businesses. “The AI revolution won't be about centralized LLMs,” he said. “It will be about AI agents that enable people to create, interact, and build in ways we have yet to imagine.”

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