At the Redacted conference hosted by Near in Bangkok, renowned privacy advocate and whistleblower Edward Snowden shared his perspective on cryptocurrencies, AI, and the blockchain industry.
Snowden used Solana as a case study to highlight how venture capital investments can influence blockchain networks. He compared Solana’s heavy reliance on venture funding to a “network born in prison,” expressing concerns about its limited independence. Despite acknowledging Solana’s impressive growth, Snowden raised questions about the level of control granted to early investors. However, he also acknowledged the potential for Solana to evolve over time.
Throughout his speech, Snowden emphasized the importance of decentralization as a defense against the extensive reach of AI-driven surveillance. He pointed out that the use of AI by governments and corporations could enable real-time monitoring of personal data on an unprecedented scale. This could potentially lead to the identification and targeting of individuals displaying “anomalous” behavior.
Snowden’s critique extended beyond Solana to a recent incident involving Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). He highlighted how the venture capital firm utilized its voting power in Uniswap governance to override a decentralized vote, thereby undermining the autonomy of the blockchain community.
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