Computational Economy

Definition ∞ A computational economy is an economic system where the creation, distribution, and consumption of value are intrinsically linked to computational resources and processes. This includes the utilization of processing power, data storage, and algorithmic execution as fundamental economic drivers. Such economies often leverage digital tokens to represent and exchange value derived from computational work.
Context ∞ The emergence of computational economies is closely tied to advancements in distributed computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology, enabling new models for resource allocation and value creation. Debates often focus on the sustainability of these models, the equitable distribution of computational rewards, and the potential for centralization despite decentralized architectures. The development of more efficient and accessible computational resources is a key factor influencing their broader adoption.