Theta Labs CEO: The next wave of AI will be mobile

On September 28, the CEO of Theta Labs, the parent company of decentralized video network Theta Network, made the point that AI's demand for resources is insatiable. It consumes huge amounts of power and data, using an estimated 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, which is projected to increase dramatically to between 620 and 1,050 TWh by 2026. What AI craves most, however, is computational power: processing power to support the training of complex models, analyze massive data sets, and perform large-scale inference.

Smartphones and tablets represent a vast, virtually untapped resource of computing power worldwide. With 1.21 billion devices expected to be shipped in 2024 alone, the true potential of the unused computing power of these devices is hard to overestimate.

Blockchain is ideally suited to this distributed AI ecosystem. Its decentralized nature fits seamlessly with the goal of harnessing the idle computing power of millions of devices around the world. By leveraging blockchain technology, we can create a secure, transparent and incentivized framework for sharing computing resources.

The future of AI innovation lies not in building bigger data centers, but in harnessing the power that already exists in pockets and homes. By shifting the focus to edge computing, a more inclusive, efficient and innovative AI ecosystem can be born. This decentralized approach not only democratizes AI, but also aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that the benefits of AI are not just for the privileged few.