In a recent post on the X social media platform, Mike Novogratz, the CEO of Galaxy Digital, highlighted a post by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian discussing the potential intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain.
Ohanian emphasized the symbiotic relationship between these two technologies, stating that one is increasingly reliant on the other. He pointed out that the internet is currently flooded with AI-generated images, indicating a growing reliance on AI technology.
Recent studies from 2023 reveal a staggering statistic: the equivalent of 150 years’ worth of images were generated in just one year using text-to-image tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney.
Ohanian paints a picture of a future where the authenticity of digital images is in question due to the prevalence of AI manipulation. The rapid advancement of AI has blurred the lines between real and AI-created images, leading to widespread skepticism regarding the credibility of visual content.
He envisions a scenario where every digital image is met with doubt, raising concerns about its origin and authenticity. Ohanian proposes leveraging blockchain technology to validate the source of images securely. By digitally signing an immutable global ledger with a personal device, the authenticity of an image could be verified effectively.
Ohanian sees immense potential in utilizing blockchain for image verification, especially in scenarios where proving ownership or authenticity is crucial. Whether you’re a world leader, a corporate executive, or a young individual, the ability to verify the legitimacy of an image is becoming increasingly valuable in today’s digital landscape.
While blockchain-based verification is not a novel concept, various sectors have already begun implementing it. For example, accounting firm Ernst & Young introduced a blockchain-powered solution to combat counterfeit products back in 2020. Additionally, Norwegian fisheries have adopted IBM’s blockchain technology to track salmon and combat seafood fraud effectively.