Staff Writer • 2024-08-20
Few conversations carry the weight of those surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Theoriq, a groundbreaking AI startup, is pioneering a new era where AI is governed by the community and designed to serve everyone, not just the elite. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ron Bodkin, the founder of Theoriq, for an in-depth discussion on the transformative potential of AI and the future his company envisions. The Evolution of AI: From Symbolic to Probabilistic Methods Ron Bodkin’s journey through the world of AI began during his time at MIT, where he witnessed a significant shift in the development of AI technologies. "When I was in grad school at MIT, we were transitioning from symbolic AI, where AI systems were taught using explicitly defined rules and concepts, to probabilistic models," Bodkin explained. "These models allowed us to create networks of beliefs, which were more adaptable and powerful, despite the limited computing power available at the time." This transition laid the foundation for the AI revolution we are witnessing today, where AI models are increasingly capable of performing a wide range of tasks with impressive accuracy and speed. "The last few years have seen an explosion in the capabilities of AI," Bodkin noted. "We now have models that can do many things well, which has been a game-changer for the industry." Leaving Google: A Mission-Driven Departure Bodkin’s decision to leave Google, one of the giants in the AI space, was driven by a desire to focus on community-driven AI development. "While Google is filled with capable and well-meaning people, I felt that the company's focus was more on extracting profit than on advancing technology in a way that benefits everyone," Bodkin said. "I wanted to be in a place where making a positive impact was a priority, and that led me to found Theoriq." Theoriq's mission is clear: to create a future where AI is governed by the community and accessible to all. "AI is going to shape not just the economy but our lives," Bodkin emphasized. "We need to ensure that everyone has a voice in how this technology develops." The Power of Community-Governed AI At the heart of Theoriq's vision is the belief that AI should be a tool for the collective good, not just for the profit of a few. "The future of AI lies in community participation," Bodkin asserted. "We don’t want to live in a world where a few billionaires are the gatekeepers of intelligence. We need a system where the values and needs of the community are at the forefront." Bodkin also highlighted the importance of open models and competition in the AI space. "The competition among companies like Google, OpenAI, and others is crucial, but what’s more important is ensuring that the next layer of AI development—particularly in AI agents—is open and accessible." AI Agents: The Next Frontier As AI continues to evolve, one of the most exciting developments is the rise of AI agents—intelligent systems that can perform complex tasks autonomously. "AI agents are using these powerful models to access data in real time, plan, take actions, and even interact with each other," Bodkin explained. "We’re building a future where agents can collaborate, just like human teams do, to solve complex problems." Theoriq is at the forefront of this movement, developing tools that will allow even non-developers to create their own AI agents. "Our no-code builder will enable experts from various fields to train agents in their specialties, making AI more personalized and effective," Bodkin said. "The potential for collaboration between specialized agents is enormous, and it’s going to revolutionize how we work and live." The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities While the potential of AI is vast, there are also significant challenges ahead, particularly regarding job displacement and the ethical implications of AI. Bodkin is pragmatic about these issues, acknowledging that while AI will automate many tasks, there is still much we don’t know about the limits of AI’s capabilities. "We’re in a phase of rapid progress, and while AI will automate a lot, there’s still a long way to go before we fully understand the scope of its impact," he said. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Theoriq is positioning itself as a leader in community-governed AI, offering a vision of the future where technology serves the many, not the few. "We’re building in the face of giants, standing tall and defiant," Bodkin concluded. "This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see what the future holds."
@NFT Today Magazine