Originally published via the European Commission Futurium, on 18 June 2018.

Artificial Intelligence is pretty much based on historical data in order to function properly, exactly like we humans do. Therefore, individual AI programs must have a concept of time, internationally agreed between the machinery, IoT-powered devices, and AI systems, among other technological event-based operations.  

Up until now, each machine carries its own log, having no access to other logs, and having zero comparison options, so how can a machine or even a human be sure whether the information the machine is carrying is 100% accurate?

Studying distributed ledger technologies (DLT) or commonly referred to as blockchain technology, I came up with the idea that we could construct a ledger accessible and used by every "Smart" device, computers, AI, etc simultaneously. 

We all know that the ordinary public mistakes blockchain for bitcoin, but if you study the aspects this innovative hi-tech field brings with it you can realize how it could be of help.

Each block on a blockchain represents a time-stamp that carries a specific amount of intelligence. After the creation of a block, its components are irreversible, undeniable, and considered as a standard point in the "past". Any possible options from that point on, would require the creation of more blocks, which again would act according to the first block - meaning that no matter what we're going to store in the second box, it will be time-stamped and stay there forever, it cannot be altered or deleted, it cannot be manipulated or ignored - does that sound familiar?

This is exactly the concept we have been following about what we refer to as "Time" for a long time now. What we refer to as the "past", is a series of events that we can rely upon when trying to recall historical data, but we do not possess the option to alter, manipulate or permanently delete the data stored in what we refer to as "past" (except in case of serious injury of the organic processor). And again, if we want to make any changes or new choices, we must create new blocks, or in the short plan for the future, which will eventually become a block of the past.

I strongly believe that we should introduce the concept of blockchain to AI, not the way we see it, but the way we see the time.

If we manage to create a single blockchain that stores every memory or move every AI does, we will be able very soon to monitor and observe the history of our own evolution. 

Ex: let's say we have 10 different AI's on the same blockchain. Each one of them has separate intelligence and operational capabilities while they all recognize each other since they're sharing a common network that could be pointed to be their version of "Time".

In the first moments already we could see which AI would create links with the other AI and for what reasons. Let's say AI1 might share their intel because they somehow profit from AI2's intel and vice versa, AI3 wouldn't share their intel with AI4 as they won't get anything in return, but AI4's intel is profitable for AI5, etc. 

In a matter of minutes, we would see the first alliances, territories, and wars between different AI systems, something that took us millions of years to understand and we're still working on it. We could analyze and understand individual choices we might have taken in the past, and even predict the future if the machine surpasses our timeline in its own analogical measure. 

I am happy to learn your thoughts on this, and how do you think the machinery could perceive time?

Thanks in advance.

V