Definition ∞ Compute Validation refers to the process of independently verifying the correctness of a computational outcome. In decentralized systems, this often involves a mechanism where one party performs a computation and another party, or a group of parties, checks the result without re-executing the entire computation. This method ensures trust in off-chain or complex calculations.
Context ∞ Compute validation is increasingly relevant for scaling decentralized applications and integrating artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. It addresses the challenge of performing resource-intensive computations off-chain while maintaining on-chain verifiability. Zero-knowledge proofs and optimistic rollups represent key technologies that utilize various forms of compute validation to enhance efficiency and security.