Microsoft sees AI as the most important technology right now and has been heavily involved in researching and investing in it. However, the company is also interested in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain and how these technologies might work together in the future.

At a recent conference about blockchain at Cornell University, Yorke Rhodes, who works at Microsoft focusing on digital transformation and blockchain, shared his thoughts on this potential intersection. He believes that as both AI and blockchain advance, they could be combined to create powerful tools, although we’re only just beginning to explore this possibility.

During a discussion called “Crypto x AI,” Rhodes was asked if Microsoft plans to create its own blockchain. He pointed out that there are already many exciting developments happening in the crypto world, so there’s no need for Microsoft to replicate them. Instead, the company is concentrating on improving existing technologies like layer-2 blockchain rollups, which enhance the efficiency of blockchain networks.

Rhodes was joined by other experts at the conference, including representatives from PayPal Digital Currencies, Pantera, and Hyperbolic Labs. They discussed how crypto could complement AI, especially in the context of advanced AI models like transformers.

However, AI tends to dominate discussions in the tech world, leaving less attention for emerging technologies like crypto and blockchain. While there’s a lot of excitement about the potential synergy between blockchain and AI, it’s essential to separate hype from reality.

For example, some have talked about using decentralized graphics processing units (GPUs) in blockchain networks, but there are challenges like latency—the time it takes for data to travel across a network. Decentralized networks might not deliver results as quickly as centralized ones due to this latency issue.

But Jasper Zhang from Hyperbolic Labs believes that decentralized networks can handle this challenge. He explained that in a decentralized network, users can find nodes closer to them to process requests, reducing communication delays compared to centralized systems.

Hyperbolic Labs has even achieved latency results comparable to centralized solutions with their decentralized network, showcasing the potential for blockchain and AI to work together effectively.

In summary, while AI remains a dominant force in tech discussions, there’s growing interest in how blockchain and AI could collaborate in the future, presenting exciting possibilities for innovation.

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