🌐🤖 The Intersection of Blockchain and AI: Insights from Security Expert Ari Juels

Considerations of Smart Contracts as a Deadly Weapon in The Oracle, a Crime Thriller Novel by Security Expert Ari Juels How Real is the Danger?

The possible connection between cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence could lead to unexpected consequences, including potential harm.

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As technologies continue to advance at a rapid pace, security expert Ari Juels believes that we should be cautious about the potential risks that could arise. As the chief scientist at Chainlink and a professor at Cornell Tech, Juels has witnessed the development of powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems and smart contracts. 😮

In an interview with Blocking.net, Juels highlighted the growing recognition that the financial system can be a vector for AI escape. He emphasized that if someone were to control money, they could have a significant impact on the real world. This doomsday scenario serves as the inspiration for Juels’ new crime thriller novel, “The Oracle,” published by science fiction imprint Talos. 📚💥

Set in the near future, “The Oracle” explores the potential dangers of smart contracts going rogue and killing individuals, a concept previously discussed in Juels’ academic paper on “criminal smart contracts” published in 2015. The novel also references the plaid shirt worn by Chainlink CEO Sergey Nazarov. While some aspects of the story align with the present, other elements, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a powerful AI tool for interpreting the world, were not available at the time Juels began writing. 📖🤓

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But readers can breathe a sigh of relief, as Juels reassures us that smart contracts programmed to kill remain a distant threat. He remains cautiously optimistic that by addressing the risks today and implementing measures such as blockchain-based oracles, potential problems can be prevented in the future. 🛡️😌

Are smart contracts like the ones in “The Oracle” possible today?

While not currently possible with today’s infrastructure, smart contracts similar to those depicted in the novel are plausible given the current technology. Advances in large language models (LLMs) have become essential in adjudicating contracts and determining accountability. By extracting keywords from news articles using LLMs plugged into blockchain infrastructure, smart contracts can possess unstoppable behaviors when coded that way. However, the technological prerequisites for such contracts have yet to be developed fully.

Do you need a blockchain to build smart contracts?

The necessity of a blockchain depends on the desired trust model. Running smart contracts on a centralized system is feasible but would sacrifice the advantages of decentralization, such as resilience to device failures, censorship resistance, and confidence in the immutability of rules.

Are blockchains Apollonian?

Blockchains in general may not possess an Apollonian essence, but oracles certainly do. The novel explores the concept of modern-day oracles alongside the ancient Oracle of Delphi. Both aim to serve as definitive sources of truth. In Greek mythology, Apollo, the god of truth, fueled the ancient oracle, while authoritative sources of data power the modern-day ones.

Is blockchain privacy sufficient today?

While privacy is crucial, it remains an unfinished aspect of blockchain technology. Privacy-preserving tools are not yet powerful enough to provide users with the full benefits they deserve. Although privacy can be abused for criminal activities with blockchain technology, the development of effective privacy-preserving mechanisms should be a focus.

Is technology a generally positive force?

Technology undoubtedly offers significant benefits, particularly in reducing global poverty. However, it also comes with costs. In wealthy Western nations, general happiness and contentment have stagnated, partially due to consistent technological development. The pervasiveness of technology has led to a sense of awe erosion, leaving less space for intellectual exploration and wonder in our daily lives.

What are we overreacting about when it comes to technology?

In terms of AI doomsday scenarios, Juels tends to be optimistic. Drawing an analogy to the Y2K bug, which turned out to be less destructive than anticipated, he believes that hidden circuit breakers and safety measures will kick in if AI agents go rogue. This level of confidence provides comfort and optimism for the future of AI.

Did writing a novel alone differ greatly from writing scholarly papers?

Writing a novel was a significant departure from scholarly papers. Academic writing necessitates a dry language, while novels grant more latitude for imagination. Collaborating with others in academia helps refine ideas, but fiction allows for ideas that may not work or make sense within certain boundaries. Fiction writing provides a creative freedom that scholarly papers do not.

Any unusual work techniques?

Juggling various projects requires adjusting working techniques accordingly. When writing “The Oracle,” Juels was obsessive about the book, allowing him to experience a flow state where he could maintain a unique focus for extended periods. By squeezing writing into available pockets of time, he made progress on the book.

Are NFTs overrated or underrated?

While some NFTs, like Bored Apes, may be overrated and pointless, Juels believes that the long-term future of NFTs is underrated. Similar to photography in the 19th century, NFTs are a new artistic medium that takes time for society to recognize as such. Juels remains bullish on NFTs’ potential, even if his PhD students have yet to be convinced to work on NFT-related projects.

Does interest in crypto change from one cohort to another?

Interest in crypto varies from person to person. Some PhD students discover their research direction with guidance, while others know precisely what they want to explore from the beginning. As a PhD advisor, Juels supports his students in accomplishing their individual goals.

The Financial System as an AI Escape Vector

Juels emphasizes that the financial system, particularly cryptocurrency, can be controlled by AI agents and serve as an escape vector. This raises concerns about AI safety. Juels and his colleagues at Chainlink are considering the role of oracles in preventing AI escapes and how these systems can establish boundaries and detect rogue AI activity. Implementing guardrails and anomaly detection mechanisms may help address this important problem.

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🔍 To further explore the topics covered in this article, check out these relevant links:

• SUI Teams Up With Oracle Stork to Provide Builders With Fast Pricing Data
• The Man in Plaid
• Code Is Not (Always) Law | Opinion
• What is Chainlink?

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🤝💬 What are your thoughts on the intersection of blockchain and AI? Are you worried about the potential risks they pose, or do you maintain optimism about their future? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this article with your friends on social media! 📣📲✨

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