Violet Vallaya
Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, has recently spotlighted a compelling convergence point: the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
In a post on the social media platform X Thursday, Ohanian delineated his vision for a future where these two formidable domains complement each other, unlocking practical applications beyond mere speculation.
He succinctly captured the impending collision of AI and blockchain: “It’s my theory that the age of AI and the ascendence of blockchain technology are about to collide and reinforce each other.”
The proliferation of images facilitated by AI has spurred Ohanian’s insight. As AI algorithms churn out an ever-expanding array of visual content, the internet becomes inundated with pictures.
However, this abundance presents a challenge: how can we verify the authenticity of these images? With the rise of deepfakes and manipulated visuals, the genuineness of any given picture comes under scrutiny.
Ohanian proposes blockchain technology as the solution—a decentralized, immutable ledger that underpins cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He suggests a new use case for blockchain: image verification. He imagines a world where devices capturing these images embed a method to confirm their origin on an unalterable global ledger.
According to Ohanian, “Suddenly, you have a great case for the blockchain that isn’t speculative or particularly flashy—it’s utility.” While Ohanian doesn’t cite specific projects, he underscores the market demand for a solution that verifies image ownership.
It remains to be seen whether blockchain, with its tamper-resistant properties, could provide the missing link in the visual authenticity puzzle. Ohanian’s prediction aligns with broader tech trends. Notably, blockchain’s role extends beyond cryptocurrencies; it’s a foundational technology with applications in supply chain management and voting systems.
