nChain is calling for research papers exploring the growing field of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). It’s inviting both industry and academic experts to submit drafts for presentation at a workshop event as part of the IEEE COINS 2023 event, which will take place from July 23-25 in Berlin (and online). The deadline for papers is March 15, 2023.

Though billed as a “workshop” event, the Blockchain and AI segment will also feature speakers and panel discussions.

I am chairing a workshop on Blockchain and AI in Berlin in July If you having been thinking about these topics, I invite you to submit a paper before the 15 March deadline.

More info: https://t.co/kpvm7DygOj pic.twitter.com/SzTpZVN2XB

— Owen Vaughan (@DrOVaughan) February 24, 2023

AI and machine learning have become popular technology buzzwords in the past year, largely due to ChatGPT and AI systems finally achieving mainstream attention. Widespread mainstream usage (and critiques) of ChatGPT have revealed many of its abilities—and also many of its limitations, particularly those concerning allowed datasets and the level of input from its human developers.

nChain Licensing Chief Science Officer Owen Vaughan said having a paper accepted at the COINS 2023 event would be a reputation booster for anyone out there looking to make their mark in the blockchain and AI field. Papers published in IEEE journals “are an independent marker of quality that grows stronger with time,” he said, since they’re widely read and regularly cited by others for years into the future.

Until recently, there haven’t been many opportunities to explore the potential of blockchain and AI combined. This is largely due to the fact that AI and machine learning systems require large datasets for training, and that in turn requires a massively scalable blockchain to process and store that data.

If you think that sounds like a good job for BSV, you’re right. To put it simply, there hasn’t been much development in the blockchain/AI space because most blockchains aren’t capable of large-scale data throughput. nChain is hoping to be a leader in developing both the technology and driving more interest in the field. Vaughan said he wants as many researchers as possible to apply for the COINS 2023 workshop event, and for nChain to play a leading role in providing the right platforms, reviewing research and—most importantly—ensuring high quality standards.

Suggestions for paper topics cover blockchain and AI generally, plus related fields such as blockchain and IoT applications, distributed computing, blockchain databases, integration with emerging technologies, blockchain tools, and regulation/law enforcement issues.

Why blockchain and AI?

AI tools could still assist with blockchain development and usage even if the AI systems themselves aren’t blockchain-based. They would help with application development, building more sophisticated smart contracts, and optimizing mining operations.

nChain itself is also looking at the possibility of embedding “unique markers” in datasets AIs use, e.g., something another AI might notice but not a human, signifying the source is a machine learning system rather than human input.

Though he’s been impressed by advancements in AI and machine learning, Vaughan said blockchain could improve the overall quality of AI systems for many of the same reasons a (scalable) blockchain can improve data integrity in all fields.

For example, it introduces transparency to the whole process. AI builders can show exactly what datasets they’re using, and this is verifiable. On the economic incentive side, blockchain also introduces the potential for data owners to monetize access to their data, using BSV micropayments to permit access on a per-use basis.

If AI is being used to make critical decisions, like financial or business-tactical ones, it’s also advantageous to have an audit trail on datasets to demonstrate how an AI reached certain conclusions or made certain recommendations. This issue hasn’t been explored much outside of academic fields, and has the potential to cause legal and other conflicts—which blockchain auditability could help resolve.

Vaughan is organizing the Blockchain/AI workshop segment of the COINS 2023 event along with colleague Alessio Pagani and Mithun Mukherjee of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Those looking to submit papers—deadline is on March 15, 2023—can get in touch with the organizers, as soon as possible. If you are interested in submitting a paper but not sure how to go about writing it, Vaughan recommends looking for inspiration in papers from previous years that were successfully accepted in the same conference series (COINS).

Watch nChain Group CEO Christen Ager-Hanssen “We’re here to change the world with blockchain”

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