- Ben Goertzel, a pioneer in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), launched the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance in 2024.
- This alliance, centered around SingularityNET, aims to build AGI on a decentralized, user-owned crypto network.
- Goertzel argues that AGI is too important to be controlled by venture capital or proprietary models, predicting its arrival by 2029.
Ben Goertzel Establishes Decentralized AGI Alliance in 2024
Ben Goertzel, a prominent figure in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) research, officially launched the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance in 2024. This move unites his project, SingularityNET, with other entities to develop **decentralized AGI**, directly challenging the centralized, proprietary models favored by industry giants such as OpenAI and Anthropic. Goertzel, who helped popularize the term “artificial general intelligence,” believes this critical technology must remain free from control by a few corporations. He is adamant that open-source code is merely the first step. True decentralized control requires AGI to operate on a user-owned crypto network, ensuring accessibility and preventing an "AGI arms race" where entities dictate its evolution.
His vision extends beyond just open code. Goertzel argues that publishing code offers little benefit if only a handful can afford to run it. His solution involves embedding AGI within a blockchain-backed infrastructure, enabling an "agent economy." In this future, AI agents will autonomously manage user tasks and transactions across an open, transparent network. The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance initially brought together Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and Ocean Protocol, merging their respective tokens into a single asset, FET. This consolidation was a strategic move to create a unified, strong ecosystem. Although Ocean Protocol later departed in late 2025, the alliance continues its mission, focusing on a shared, open future for advanced AI. The effort highlights the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, an area seeing
soaring AI crypto investments as innovators seek to using decentralization.
The Imperative for Open-Source and Decentralized AGI
Goertzel's conviction stems from a deep-seated belief that AGI's immense power necessitates a democratic foundation. He explicitly stated, "I'm pretty adamant that the core AGI code doing the thinking should be free and open source." This perspective directly contrasts with the closed-door development practices of companies raising billions to keep their cutting-edge models exclusive. He fears that without decentralization, AGI could become a tool for control, rather than a force for widespread benefit. The SingularityNET platform intends to offer sophisticated, paid AI services built upon its open AGI framework. Crucially, the blockchain backend will operate seamlessly, hidden from the end-user, providing a, clear, and user-governed infrastructure. Power for the people. The approach ensures that while services are monetized, the foundational intelligence remains truly open and accessible. The project aims to democratize access to sophisticated AI capabilities, fostering innovation and preventing monopolization. Such commitment to open and decentralized models resonates with the broader crypto community, which champions self-sovereignty and distributed control across various digital domains. The market has shown a strong appetite for AI-driven crypto projects, with recent events like the
Ruvi AI Presale seeing rapid sell-outs, indicating investor confidence in this emerging sector.
Forecasting AGI's Arrival and Future Impact
Goertzel is not just an advocate; he's a forecaster, confidently predicting the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence by 2029. This ambitious timeline underscores the urgency behind his efforts to establish a decentralized framework now. He understands that once AGI emerges, its societal impact will be deep, making its core principles vitally important. His work, including his leadership of the team behind the famous Sophia robot, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what machines can achieve. The drive to build a machine capable of human-level thought has been a decades-long endeavor for Goertzel. His current "crypto bet" is the culmination of this journey, representing a calculated pivot to ensure AGI's development aligns with principles of openness and user ownership. The move is designed to safeguard humanity's future with AGI, ensuring it serves collective good rather than private interests. The coming years will undoubtedly test the efficacy of this decentralized approach against the rapid advancements of centralized AI labs. The battle for AGI's soul has just begun, and its outcome will shape the next era of technological progress. A stark choice.
