AI and the Sharing Economy on OLPORTAL OLPORTAL.ai Follow Mar 19 · 3 min read

Global capitalism is in a unique phase today. From ride sharing apps to cloud computing and from micro-finance to self-help groups, infrastructure and resource sharing is the key. Whether we talk about Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) or indigenous coffee shops, businesses are moving downwards. Smaller players, small scale investors, and humble business owners are playing a larger role in determining the direction of the global economy. Customer participation and feedback are finally given the importance they deserve.

Business models are no more aiming for greater productivity alone, they are aspiring for sustainability. Not only are they trying to make their internal operations more sustainable, but they are also trying to manipulate their designs to reduce negative externalities of their productive activities. We have seen how economies like that of the Chinese which are focused solely on growth have been overheating. There is an active attempt on their part to transform. And this trend is somewhat global.

In this light, a sharing economy, in its truest sense would not only mean infrastructure sharing and internal democracy, but also revenue sharing. But in many large scale service sectors, especially the ones like software as a service or AI as a service such trends are unlikely. Blockchain in this respect might turn out to be a game-changer.

The Present Status of the AI Sector

Given the huge infrastructure required for the functioning of AI services, it is only the large corporations that take the lead. Google and Amazon are undoubtedly the biggest names in terms of AI services. These companies despite giving a significant amount of flexibility to the users fail to make them part of their business model. Smaller vendors or so-called partners of these companies also are not adequately included in their business modules, neither do they have any kind of bargaining power in that respect. This makes the process largely opaque for users.

Moreover, data is the most important resource in the functioning of AI. In this, it becomes capital in itself, and ideally is the property of the users, but hardly any huge company gives the users the power to control this data.

How a Blockchain-based AI Market Works?

OLPORTAL is one of the first blockchain-based AI marketplaces. This market place allows users to develop and exhibit AI-based neuro-chat-bots. This makes it easier for the users to not only access the different AI-based products but also makes it easier for the developers to exhibit their products. They can produce more customized and user-centric products given the decentralized nature of the market place and establish greater contact between developers and the users.

Addressing the Question of Equity and Access for AI Users

Smaller businesses using the products on the OLPORTAL platform will also be able to benefit from the unique business models. The end-users will not only be able to take advantage of the fair pricing based on pure competition but will also be able to share in the revenues of certain products. In some advertising products, the users might be able to gain certain incentives by helping in the promotion of products while integrating them with other applications like the iMe Messenger which can be integrated with the Telegram messaging app.

Similarly, various developers can find ways to incentivize the contribution on equitable terms. This will give greater control and ownership over the shared infrastructure and resources and the huge repository of data generated by applications.

This will tie into the larger question of data ownership and control. The users will be the ones who will have the last say in terms of the use and trade ability of this resource. In this sense, people will be included more equitably in the decision-making process of the use of the resources of the company, i.e. data in this case.

All these features together can be the beginning of a true sharing economy which so far has led to different kinds of unequal bargaining relations. And it is, for this reason, a truly decentralized technological model based on a blockchain.

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