Edward Snowden recently took the stage at the Redacted conference in Bangkok, Thailand, hosted by Near Protocol, sharing insights on decentralization, artificial intelligence, and the role of venture capital (VC) in blockchain projects, choosing Solana
$218.84
as an example.
Snowden’s remarks painted a complex picture of blockchain projects funded by venture capital (VC), arguing that heavy financial backing from these sources can compromise the independence of blockchain networks. He referred to Solana as a project “born in prison”, suggesting that its reliance on VC investments could hinder its ability to remain decentralized and autonomous.
Though Solana’s popularity is rising, he expressed concerns that such growth may have come at the expense of decentralized ownership. Nevertheless, he left room for optimism, hinting that Solana still has the potential to evolve into a more decentralized entity over time.
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The broader theme of Snowden’s discussion was the pressing need for decentralization to counterbalance the increasing surveillance power of AI-driven systems. He highlighted how advancements in artificial intelligence enable unprecedented data surveillance, which allows governments and corporations to monitor personal data on a massive scale.
Snowden also emphasized the importance of open-source technologies. He celebrated open-source software as a way for individuals to maintain autonomy in a world increasingly dominated by centralized forces. He encouraged those in attendance and the broader community to adopt open-source resources, especially in the AI and blockchain fields.
For Snowden, the intersection of decentralization, blockchain, and AI represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
In other news, Elon Musk recently expressed support for Utah Senator Mike Lee’s call to abolish the Federal Reserve Bank.
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.