Since its launch in May 2021, the Internet Computer blockchain has achieved remarkable milestones. It has processed over three billion blocks and secured more than $3 billion in the Network Nervous System (NNS) DAO.
The blockchain has also maintained zero downtime since its inception. Developer engagement within the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) ecosystem has seen significant growth, with the number of developers increasing twelvefold between 2020 and 2023, according to Electric Capital.
The ICP is designed to extend the capabilities of Web3, addressing the limitations of traditional blockchains and smart contracts. To celebrate its mainnet’s third anniversary, ICP has introduced its “Year 4 Internet Computer Roadmap,” which highlights its progress and sets out future goals, focusing particularly on decentralized AI and blockchain interoperability.
Pioneering Decentralized AI
A central theme of ICP’s Year 4 roadmap is Decentralized AI (DeAI). This initiative aims to train and operate AI models directly on the blockchain, enhancing transparency and reliability, which are often lacking in current AI implementations.
Key DeAI Milestones:
Enhancing Performance:
- Improve deterministic floating-point operations for a tenfold performance boost.
- Integrate Wasm SIMD support to perform multiple floating-point operations with a single CPU instruction.
- Optimize the AI inference engine to increase overall performance and efficiency.
Developing AI Tools and Infrastructure:
- Create a deterministic API for AI computations on GPUs.
- Develop tools and libraries to support AI smart contract development.
- Publish a specification for GPU-enabled nodes.
- Establish AI-specialized subnets equipped with GPU-enabled nodes.
These milestones are designed to enable innovative applications, such as AI-powered smart contracts that verify identities via video or analyze code for vulnerabilities. Users may also interact with smart contracts using natural language, making blockchain technology more accessible.
Additionally, Web3 communities could manage AIs through Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and pre-trained AIs could be traded as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
The DFINITY Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organization, supports these AI advancements. In July, they launched a $5 million grant program to foster decentralized AI projects on the Internet Computer blockchain. Notable projects like Kinic, DecideAI, ELNA AI, ICGPT, and Earthstream are already leveraging ICP’s capabilities.
Bridging Blockchains with Chain Fusion
Another significant focus of ICP’s Year 4 roadmap is Chain Fusion, which seeks to enable seamless interoperability with major blockchains such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This initiative aims to create a more interconnected blockchain ecosystem, allowing developers to build smart contracts that operate across multiple chains without the need for intermediaries.
Chain Fusion Milestones:
Supporting EVM Chains:
- Allow ICP canister smart contracts to hold and transact tokens on EVM chains.
- Enable interaction with EVM smart contracts without relying on bridges or centralized intermediaries.
Utilizing Bitcoin Protocols:
- Implement support for Bitcoin-native protocols like BRC20 and Runes.
- Facilitate the integration of Bitcoin ordinals and runes into decentralized applications.
Integrating Solana:
- Enable seamless interaction between Solana and ICP smart contracts.
- Bridge the gap between the Solana network and ICP to enhance interoperability.
| Area | Milestones |
|---|---|
| Decentralized AI | Performance enhancements, AI tools and infrastructure, GPU-enabled nodes, AI-specialized subnets. |
| Chain Fusion | EVM chain support, Bitcoin protocol integration, Solana integration. |
As the Internet Computer blockchain embarks on its fourth year, its roadmap underscores a commitment to leading in decentralized AI and enhancing blockchain interoperability.
These efforts are set to solidify ICP’s position as a pivotal player in the blockchain industry. By advancing these initiatives, ICP is poised to drive significant innovation and connectivity across the blockchain ecosystem, shaping a bold and interconnected future.
Disclaimer
FAQ
Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology ensuring secure and tamper-proof transactions, shared across a network.
Yes, blockchain enhances cybersecurity by making data difficult to hack or alter through it's decentralized structure.
Blockchains record cryptocurrency transactions like Bitcoin securely and transparently.
