Author: Chris Dixon, a16z partner, head of a16z crypto; Compiler: 0xjs@金财经

The doomsday theorists are wrong. AI won’t end the world — but it will end the internet as we know it.

AI has upended the internet’s core economic contract, which has been in place since the dawn of search: A handful of companies (mostly Google) bring the demand, and creators bring the supply (and get some from it) advertising revenue or endorsement). AI tools already generate and summarize content without users having to click through to the content provider’s website, thus tipping the balance.

At the same time, the proliferation of AI-powered deepfakes and bots will make us question what is real and reduce trust in the online world. As the big tech companies that can afford the most data and computing power continue to invest in AI, they will become more powerful, further closing off the rest of the open internet.

Technological progress is inevitable. When I call attention to this, I don’t mean to scream that the sky is falling, or to impede progress. We need to help individual users gain some control over their digital lives. Thoughtful regulation can help, but it can also slow innovation. And trying to have a one-size-fits-all solution can create as many problems as it solves. Let’s face it, users aren’t going to give up on their online lives. So what can we do?

Major technology movements often go hand in hand - think of the rise of social, cloud and mobile computing in the 21st century. This time is no different: AI requires blockchain-powered computing. Why?

First, blockchain can enforce ownership. Blockchain can make trusted promises involving property, spending, and power. A decentralized network of computers (rather than large corporations or any other centralized intermediaries) validates transactions, ensuring that rules and records cannot be changed without consensus. Smart contracts automate and enforce these ownership rights, creating a system that ensures transparency, security and trust, giving users complete control and ownership of their digital lives. For creators, this means being able to decide how their work is used by others, including AI systems.

Another fundamental piece of ownership that blockchain can enforce is identity. If you are who you say you are, you can sign a cryptographic statement to prove it. We can carry our identities across the internet without relying on third parties. On-chain identity can also help distinguish real users from bots and imposters. In the 90s, no one on the internet knew you were a dog. Now, people can tell if you are a dog or a robot. In the coming years, we will see more “human proof” on the internet thanks to recent technological advances.

Blockchain can also create tamper-proof records of digital content to prevent deepfakes. When a video, photo or recording is created, blockchain can store a unique digital fingerprint. to contentAny change in will alter that signature, making tampering easily detectable. Blockchain can also store metadata and verify proofs from trusted sources, further ensuring the authenticity of content.

Finally, blockchain can help realize the original ideals of the Internet and help the Internet maintain creativity, openness, and diversity. Currently, users rely on a handful of internet giants — which have invested heavily in AI (and required regulations to keep smaller rivals out). Once-open websites and apps have added paywalls, restricted or closed APIs, deleted archives, edited past content without permission, and added intrusive banners and ads. Blockchain alternatives offer the option of greater choice, open source innovation, and community control. They will carry the torch of an open Internet. Cryptocurrencies can take power away from big tech companies and put it back into the hands of users.