AI需要とコスト問題を解決するGPU共有：DePINの技術的概要
AI需要の急増に伴うGPU不足と高騰するコストに対処するため、ブロックチェーンを活用したDePIN（分散型物理インフラネットワーク）が注目されている。このモデルは世界中のアイドル状態のGPUを接続し、スマートコントラクトを通じて自動的に貸借を実行するため、従来の大手クラウド（AWS等）と比較して圧倒的なコスト効率を実現
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To solve the surging demand and cost issues for GPUs driven by AI advancements, DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) is gaining attention for sharing idle computing resources via blockchain.
The structure involves connecting idle GPUs scattered worldwide to a network for rent, with rewards (tokens) received, and transactions are executed automatically via smart contracts.
It boasts overwhelming cost-efficiency compared to traditional Big Tech clouds (AWS, etc.) and possesses censorship resistance free from control by specific entities, growing as core infrastructure for the AI industry.
The Hidden Protagonist of the AI Era, Computing Power
With the emergence of advanced artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, the world has been swept up in an AI craze. However, did you know that training and operating these smart AI models requires computing power on a scale beyond imagination?
In particular, securing GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), the core component responsible for the AI's brain rotation, has become the biggest challenge for AI companies. But high-performance GPUs are very expensive and difficult to obtain.
To solve this problem, a new concept utilizing blockchain technology, DePIN, is gaining attention.
What is DePIN?
DePIN stands for 'Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks,' which translates to 'Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks.' It sounds difficult, but the core is simple. It involves connecting physical equipment (infrastructure) in the real world via blockchain to share it.
Among these, the hottest field right now is GPU sharing. Simply put, you can think of it as the 'Airbnb of computing power.'
The structure is as follows. Somewhere in the world, there are gamers sleeping with their high-spec gaming PCs turned on, or idle GPUs in mining operations that have stopped. They connect their idle GPUs (idle resources) to the DePIN network to rent them out and receive coins (tokens) as a reward.
Conversely, AI startups or researchers who need massive computing power connect to this network, rent as much GPU as they need, and pay usage fees. All connection and settlement processes are performed automatically and reliably through blockchain 'smart contracts.'
Why Use DePIN Instead of Amazon (AWS)?
Until now, AI companies have mainly used centralized cloud services provided by giant Big Tech companies like Amazon (AWS), Google, and Microsoft. But why have they started looking for blockchain-based DePIN?
There are two biggest reasons.
First, 'cost efficiency.' Centralized cloud services are convenient but very expensive. In contrast, DePIN uses idle resources scattered around the world, so there are no costs for building central servers or management fees. As a result, you can use computing power at a much lower price than existing cloud services. It is a very attractive alternative for AI startups that need to cut costs.
Second, 'censorship resistance.' Centralized services have control held by a specific company. If the service provider changes policies or blocks service use due to regulations in a specific country (censorship), AI developers lose their infrastructure overnight. However, DePIN is a decentralized network with no owner. Anyone in the world can participate freely, and no one can artificially block a specific user's access. This guarantees the freedom and sustainability of AI development.
In Closing
DePIN is an important case where blockchain does not remain merely as numbers in the digital world but combines with physical resources in the real world to create practical value.
I recommend paying attention to the growth of DePIN, the new infrastructure that supplies GPUs—the core fuel of the explosively growing AI industry—most efficiently.
