Innovators turn to blockchain to break Big Tech’s grip on AGI and redefine AI’s global future.
The road to artificial general intelligence (AGI) — the idea of AI with human-level cognition — is no longer speculative. Recent estimates from Verified Market Research peg the AGI market at $2.74 billion in 2023, with expectations it will surge to $25.74 billion by 2031.
As the future of AGI takes shape, experts say the bigger question isn’t just how we build it — but who will control it.
Public Trust in AGI Development Is Eroding
A survey conducted by the Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance found that 48% of participants believe AGI is being developed to favor a handful of tech giants. Another large portion of respondents voiced concerns about the opacity and lack of accountability in the current AGI landscape.
To challenge this direction, Dr. Ben Goertzel of SingularityNET introduced “The Ten Reckonings,” a manifesto of sorts urging society to confront the moral and governance dilemmas surrounding AGI.
“We must choose now whether AGI will reflect the values of corporations — or those of global communities,” Goertzel said.
Decentralization Is the Answer, Say Researchers
To address these concerns, Goertzel and others are building a decentralized AGI infrastructure, leveraging blockchain to distribute power and safeguard community participation.
“Open AGI is our best chance to ensure that intelligence doesn’t just serve profit, but people,” Goertzel explained.
James Tagg, co-founder of Valis Corporation, emphasized the need to secure intellectual rights using blockchain. His team is working to store ideas, genetic data, and neurological signatures on-chain to protect them from being monopolized.
“Blockchain is a weapon against corporate data monopolies — it ensures no one can quietly take ownership of your mind,” Tagg said.
Introducing ASI Chain: The Backbone of Community AGI
The centerpiece of this initiative is the upcoming ASI Chain, designed to support AGI governance through decentralized, blockchain-based infrastructure. The chain’s testnet launches this month, with mainnet activation scheduled for Q3 2025.
“This will be the first blockchain built entirely for AGI coordination, transparency, and equitable access,” Goertzel stated.
It’s a bold alternative to the closed, data-heavy models that currently dominate AI development.
Security, Privacy Are Critical Hurdles
One major concern with decentralized AGI is how to maintain privacy and security while keeping systems transparent and decentralized. Tagg acknowledged the need for carefully engineered privacy controls, especially when dealing with highly sensitive human data.
“Immutability is great — but privacy is just as essential,” Tagg noted.
Zoltan Istvan, transhumanist author and futurist, suggested that while blockchain is currently the best option, future AGI models may evolve past it, creating more adaptive and intelligent data systems.
Progress Continues Despite the Roadblocks
Despite the challenges, both Goertzel and Tagg report progress. The Qwello system, combining logic-based AI with LLMs, is already delivering results. Meanwhile, Valis is developing a bio-based computer using human brain cells — designed to function like a miniature, living brain.
“This machine learns like we do — biologically, not just computationally,” Tagg said.
From digital ownership to neural-symbolic reasoning, the decentralized AGI movement is proving that human-centered, transparent AI is not just possible — it’s underway.
