The year 2025 could be remembered as a pivotal moment for artificial intelligence, marking a shift toward more inclusive and decentralised frameworks. These new approaches aim to ensure fair recognition and compensation for all stakeholders involved in the creation of AI systems. As the industry matures, the conversation around ethical data use and copyright protection is becoming increasingly urgent.
AI’s rapid advancement has transformed industries worldwide, but it has also raised significant concerns about data ownership and copyright infringement. Centralised models, controlled by major corporations, have often excluded content creators from the value chain. OpenAI, for instance, acknowledged training ChatGPT on copyrighted material without compensating creators, sparking debates over the legality and ethics of such practices. Lawsuits, including one filed by The New York Times, have intensified discussions around fair compensation for training data.
Decentralised AI initiatives, like the ASI Alliance, propose an ethical alternative. By leveraging blockchain technology, they aim to empower content creators to retain ownership of their data and receive fair rewards for its use in AI training. This model fosters transparency and inclusivity, challenging the traditional, centralised “black box” systems that dominate the market. The Alliance’s initiatives, such as blockchain-based exchanges for data and token-based governance systems, represent a significant step toward equitable AI development.
Recent partnerships between major AI companies and content publishers indicate a growing recognition of the need for change. However, these deals often exclude smaller creators and fall short of addressing broader ethical concerns. Decentralised frameworks offer a scalable solution, enabling creators of all sizes to participate and benefit from AI’s evolution. By rewarding contributors for their data, expertise, and computational resources, these systems align AI development with principles of fairness and inclusivity.
As AI technologies continue to shape the future, decentralised models are proving to be more than just alternatives—they are necessities. They promise to democratise AI, breaking the monopoly of large corporations and creating systems that benefit all participants. For the AI sector to truly thrive, it must embrace these decentralised, ethical frameworks, ensuring that innovation is matched with accountability.