2025-03-15 –, Workshop Room
In an era where AI development is increasingly concentrated within proprietary ecosystems, charting a path toward truly user-owned artificial intelligence is critically important. In this talk we'll explore how Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) create the technical foundation for privacy-preserving AI that protects user data even from the infrastructure providers themselves. By combining TEEs with multi-blockchain platforms and open-source agent frameworks, we demonstrate how AI can function as both a public good and an economic actor—rewarding contributors while remaining accessible to all.
I've been blending art and technology with my unique career journey since trading web design for glass blowing lessons in 2006. When I began accepting bitcoin payments for my artwork in 2014, I discovered decentralized finance, eventually leading me back into tech as a software developer for NEAR protocol in 2020 after a brief hiatus. Today, I leverage my diverse background to build developer communities, advocating for open source solutions and digital sovereignty while working toward a more equitable web where users control their own data and digital identities.