Steven Waterhouse, CEO of Orchid Labs, on DePIN, AI, Decentralized VPNs, and Fighting for Internet Freedom
Matt Zahab from Cryptonews recently interviewed Steven Waterhouse, the CEO and co-founder of Orchid Labs. In the interview, they discussed various topics related to decentralization and the future of the Internet.
Decentralization Precedes Crypto
Waterhouse explained that the concept of decentralization existed long before cryptocurrencies. The core infrastructure of the Internet was designed to be fully decentralized. However, over time, centralization became more dominant. With the advent of crypto, there is now a renewed interest in decentralized architectures.
He emphasized the importance of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) and how they can solve problems that centralized systems cannot. By incentivizing decentralized machines using crypto, it is possible to create a more resilient and secure Internet.
Decentralized Virtual Private Network
Waterhouse also discussed Orchid’s decentralized VPN service. Unlike traditional VPNs, Orchid’s VPN is built on a decentralized infrastructure where independent providers run the servers. Users pay for bandwidth directly to these providers using Orchid’s native token OXT. This ensures privacy and prevents anyone from connecting users’ browsing activity with their identity.
Enter AI
Waterhouse mentioned OpenAI’s ChatGPT as an example of AI advancements. He highlighted the importance of incorporating security as a foundational principle in computing systems. Without a decentralized architecture, it is difficult to ensure privacy. He also expressed concerns about humans willingly providing AI systems with personal information, which could have unintended consequences.
In conclusion, Waterhouse believes that the future lies in a convergence of AI systems working together. By embracing decentralization and prioritizing security, we can build a better and freer Internet.
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