According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), the convergence between blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) is set to radically transform the global technological landscape, especially concerning DePIN.
At the center of this revolution is the market of decentralized physical infrastructure networks, better known as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), which could reach a value of 3.5 trillion dollars by 2028.
Currently estimated between 30 and 50 billion dollars, the DePIN sector already has over 1,500 active projects worldwide.
But it is only the beginning of an exponential growth that, according to the WEF, will be fueled by the synergy between AI and blockchain, particularly through the emergence of a new frontier: decentralized physical AI (DePAI).
What is DePIN and why is it growing thanks to AI and blockchain
The concept of DePIN is based on the integration between blockchain technologies and community-owned physical infrastructures.
In practice, these are decentralized networks where participants can contribute physical resources – such as sensors, devices, or computing power – receiving in return criptovalute.
This model allows for a greater distribution of technological power, reducing dependence on large centralized corporations. The WEF emphasizes that the true driver of this growth will be DePAI.
That is, a form of artificial intelligence that does not rely on centralized data sets, but on distributed networks where the users themselves contribute to the machine learning process through their daily activities.
This approach represents a radical change, as it allows the development of more diversified, contextually relevant, and democratic AI models.
Unlike centralized models, DePAI leverages the potential of decentralized networks to enhance the efficiency and resilience of AI systems.
Users not only provide data, but actively participate in the training of models, receiving economic incentives through blockchain-based systems.
This democratization of AI is made possible by projects like Bittensor and Threefold, mentioned in the WEF report as concrete examples of the potential of the DePIN sector.
Bittensor allows the development of decentralized AI models, while Threefold offers a sovereign digital identity system for Web3.
Both applications demonstrate how decentralization can promote greater interoperability among the various elements of the technological infrastructure. The economic potential of DePIN is also confirmed by other industry analyses.
The research company Messari, in a report published in January 2023, predicted that the DePIN market could reach 3.5 trillion dollars by 2028, with an increase of over 1.3 trillion compared to the current addressable market of 2.2 trillion dollars.
Towards a new model of computing
An opportunity so vast has not gone unnoticed in the eyes of entrepreneurs.
Carlos Lei Santos, co-founder and CEO of Uplink, stated that the next 1 trillion dollar company could emerge from the DePIN sector, driven by the growing demand for decentralized wireless solutions.
The WEF also highlights how the large-scale adoption of DePIN networks could reshape the future of omni computing, meaning a data processing environment that is more distributed, resilient, and interconnected.
In this scenario, the decentralized physical infrastructures become the foundation for a technological ecosystem in which each node actively contributes to the functioning of the network.
This transformation concerns not only technical efficiency but also the governance and sustainability of innovation. The DePIN networks, in fact, promote a model in which users are no longer mere consumers but active participants and remunerated members of the system.
Despite the exciting prospects, the DePIN sector will face some crucial challenges. The first concerns scalability: to reach the expected potential, the networks will need to be able to handle an increasing number of participants and devices.
Furthermore, it will be essential to ensure the security of data and the protection of users, especially in a context where information is collected and shared in a distributed manner.
Another critical aspect will be the regulation. The decentralized nature of DePIN could conflict with existing regulations, making a constructive dialogue between innovators, institutions, and regulatory authorities necessary.
A future led by decentralization
The WEF report offers a clear vision: the combination of blockchain and artificial intelligence is not just a technological trend, but a true paradigm shift.
The DePIN market represents one of the most promising frontiers of this transformation, with the potential to redefine the way we build, manage, and utilize technological infrastructures.
With over 1,500 active projects and a projected growth up to 3.5 trillion dollars by 2028, DePIN is positioning itself to become one of the most influential sectors of the next decade.
And if the forecasts come true, we might witness the birth of new giganti tecnologiche founded on principles of decentralization, partecipazione, and interoperability.
In a world that is increasingly connected, the future of innovation might no longer belong solely to centralized giants, but to a global network of users, devices, and distributed data. And the DePIN is ready to lead this revolution.
