Pioneering Confidential Computing in Web3
Lisa Loud, Executive Director of the Secret Network Foundation, emphasized in her keynote that Secret Network has been pioneering confidential computing in Web3 since its launch in 2020. According to Loud, the focus now is to mainstream this technology alongside blockchain and decentralized AI, addressing concerns with centralized AI systems and ensuring data privacy.
Yannik Schrade, CEO of Arcium, highlighted the growing necessity for decentralized confidential computing, calling it the “missing link” for distributed systems. He stressed that as AI models play an increasingly central role in decision-making, conducting computations in encrypted environments is no longer optional but essential.
Schrade also noted the potential of confidential computing in improving applications like decentralized finance (DeFi) by integrating robust privacy measures while maintaining accessibility for end users. However, achieving a balance between privacy and scalability remains a significant hurdle. Schrade pointed out that privacy safeguards often compromise user experience, which can hinder broader adoption. He emphasized that for confidential computing to succeed, it must be seamlessly integrated so users remain unaware they are engaging with such technologies.
Shahaf Bar-Geffen, CEO of COTI, underscored the role of federated learning in training AI models on decentralized datasets without exposing raw data. This approach is particularly valuable in sensitive sectors like healthcare and finance, where confidentiality and compliance are critical.
Innovations in Privacy and Scalability
Henry de Valence, founder of Penumbra Labs, discussed the importance of aligning cryptographic systems with user expectations. Drawing parallels with secure messaging apps like Signal, he emphasized that cryptography should function invisibly, enabling users to interact with systems without technical expertise. De Valence stressed that privacy-first infrastructure is vital as AI’s capabilities to analyze and exploit data grow more advanced.
Other leaders in the field, such as Martin Leclerc of iEXEC, highlighted the complexity of achieving privacy, usability, and regulatory compliance. Innovative approaches like zero-knowledge proof technology, as demonstrated by Lasha Antadze of Rarimo, offer promising solutions. Antadze explained how this technology enables users to prove eligibility for actions like voting or purchasing age-restricted goods without exposing personal data, making blockchain interactions more accessible.
Dominik Schmidt, co-founder of Polygon Miden, reflected on lessons from legacy systems like Ethereum to address challenges in privacy and scalability. By leveraging zero-knowledge proofs and collaborating with decentralized storage providers, his team aims to enhance both developer and user experiences.
As confidential computing evolves, it is clear that privacy and usability must go hand in hand to address the needs of an increasingly data-driven world. Through innovation and collaboration, these technologies are set to redefine how privacy is maintained in AI and Web3 applications.
