Who would have thought that the battle for control over government would move from the streets and courts to the depths of federal databases? This is the reality we face as Elon Musk delves into Bitcoin and develops encrypted tools and open protocols that operate independently from centralized power. The rising popularity of decentralized apps like Bluesky and Signal demonstrates a growing desire for services that are not under centralized control.
Transitioning to decentralized internet services will present challenges, such as heightened security complexity and reduced convenience. However, these challenges are surmountable. In the past, we have faced new obstacles to democracy without sacrificing our freedoms; we created systems that safeguarded individuals while upholding our newfound rights. The same approach must be taken in this scenario.
Without substantial investments in open protocols and public infrastructure, alternative decentralized technologies will remain niche and inaccessible. Failure to make a concerted effort across all sectors of society will only strengthen the hold of Big Tech, potentially paving the way for what AI pioneer Gregory Hinton refers to as a “fertile ground for fascism.”
History has shown that societies can overthrow centralized power structures by establishing new pluralistic systems, as evidenced by the establishment of democracy in the United States. Today, we must combat technofascism by developing our decentralized solutions.
The imperative is clear – we must wholeheartedly embrace and support decentralized technology before centralized control becomes even more entrenched. Tricia Wang, a tech consultant and Senior Advisor at DAIS (Decentralized AI Society), advocates for an open AI economy. The viewpoints expressed in Fortune.com articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily align with Fortune’s beliefs.
This article was originally published on Fortune.com.
