Blockchain: A Potential Solution to Bias in AI Training Data

Executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos discuss the potential of blockchain technology to prevent bias in AI training data.

Since its in 2009, blockchain technology has primarily been associated with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. However, businesses are now exploring the use of blockchain, also known as distributed ledger technology, in various applications beyond finance. One promising use case for blockchain technology is addressing the issue of bias in the training data of artificial intelligence (AI) models. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, executives discussed how blockchain could serve as a tool to prevent biases and misinformation in AI systems, potentially becoming a “killer use case” for the technology.

The Challenge of Bias in AI Models

One of the main concerns surrounding AI models, such as ChatGPT, is the potential for biases and false information to be embedded in the training data. This can lead to AI systems providing answers that are influenced by these biases. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various sectors, it is crucial to ensure that the data used to train these models is accurate, unbiased, and transparent.

Blockchain as a Solution

To address the challenge of bias in AI training data, blockchain technology can be employed. By storing the training data on a blockchain, developers can maintain an immutable and tamper-proof record of the data used to train the AI model. Casper Labs, in collaboration with IBM, is developing a system that utilizes blockchain to achieve this goal.

Medha Parlikar, CTO and co-founder of Casper Labs, explained during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum that the datasets used to train the AI model are checkpointed and stored on the blockchain. This provides a verifiable proof of how the AI has been trained. If the AI system starts to exhibit biases or false information, developers can roll back the AI to a previous version, effectively undoing some of the learning.

The Potential of Blockchain-Backed AI Verification

Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, believes that a blockchain-based AI training data ledger could be the “killer use case” for blockchain technology. She envisions blockchain as the driving force behind the verification and checks and balances within AI systems. By leveraging blockchain’s transparency and immutability, stakeholders can ensure that AI models are trained on reliable and unbiased data.

Conclusion:

As AI continues to advance and become more integrated into our daily lives, addressing the issue of bias in AI training data is crucial. Blockchain technology offers a potential solution by providing an immutable and transparent record of the data used to train AI models. The ability to track, verify, and roll back the training data on the blockchain can help prevent biases and false information from influencing AI systems. Executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos recognize the potential of blockchain as a tool to ensure the accuracy and fairness of AI, making it a “killer use case” for the technology. As the development of blockchain-backed AI verification progresses, it holds the promise of enhancing the trustworthiness and reliability of AI systems in various industries.