The Cocoon decentralized AI network, a privacy-preserving distributed computing platform built on The Open Network (TON), officially launched on Sunday. TON, an independent layer-1 blockchain closely linked to the Telegram messaging application, aims to disrupt traditional, centralized AI services.
Cocoon permits owners of graphics processing units (GPUs) to rent their computational power to the network, which processes user queries and requests in exchange for Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of the TON blockchain. According to Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, the decentralized AI network has already processed its first user requests, allowing GPU owners to profit from renting out their hardware.
Durov emphasized the advantages of Cocoon, stating, “Centralized compute providers such as Amazon and Microsoft act as expensive intermediaries that drive up prices and reduce privacy. Cocoon solves both the economic and confidentiality issues associated with legacy AI compute providers.” This launch comes in response to a growing demand for an AI platform that prioritizes privacy and data protection from large, centralized service providers.
The announcement was made during the Blockchain Life 2025 conference held in Dubai, UAE, where Durov highlighted the ongoing concerns among blockchain advocates, privacy proponents, and cypherpunks regarding the societal impacts of centralized AI. They have increasingly pushed for decentralized AI networks to serve as a public good, aimed at safeguarding individual privacy against the encroachments of large tech firms.
David Holtzman, chief strategy officer of the Naoris decentralized security protocol, noted the risks associated with centralized AI systems, stating that they provide governments and corporations with significant leverage over individuals. He warned that such systems can compromise user privacy, undermine traditional cybersecurity measures, and lead to social conditioning by organized actors. Holtzman advocates for the application of blockchain technology in AI, which could help verify information sources, ensure tamper-proof records, and facilitate trustless communication among nodes in distributed computing networks.
In a broader context, the discussion around decentralized AI is gaining momentum. A poll conducted by the Digital Currency Group in May revealed that 77% of the 2,036 respondents believed decentralized AI systems could benefit society more than their centralized counterparts. This sentiment underscores a collective skepticism towards the growing dominance of centralized AI entities.
A coalition of AI researchers from the Dfinity Foundation and executives from decentralized AI developer Onicai have also outlined seven principles to foster ethical AI practices. These guidelines emphasize the necessity of utilizing permissionless blockchain networks to enhance transparency and data integrity in AI operations.
The launch of Cocoon marks a significant development in the evolving landscape of AI and blockchain technology. By facilitating a decentralized approach to AI computation, Cocoon not only offers a viable alternative to established centralized services but also aligns with a growing demand for enhanced privacy and data security in the digital age. As this space matures, its implications for user autonomy and privacy are expected to become increasingly significant in the ongoing discourse surrounding AI development.
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