Trustless Inference

Definition ∞ Trustless inference refers to the ability to verify the output of a computation without needing to trust the party that performed it. In the digital asset and AI domain, this applies to verifying the results of an artificial intelligence model’s computation on a blockchain, often using zero-knowledge proofs. It ensures that an AI’s decision or prediction is correct and untampered, without revealing the underlying private data or model parameters. This capability is crucial for secure and private AI applications within decentralized networks. It establishes verifiable computation integrity.
Context ∞ News often reports on trustless inference as a key advancement for integrating artificial intelligence with blockchain technology, particularly in areas requiring data privacy and verifiable outcomes. Discussions focus on the computational overhead and efficiency of generating and verifying these proofs. A critical future development is the optimization of zero-knowledge proof systems to make trustless inference more practical for complex AI models. This concept is vital for the secure and private deployment of AI in decentralized applications.