Why You Should Own Your AI: The Future of Digital Independence

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The Case for User-Owned AI

Who is really in charge of your AI assistant? This is a question that many people haven’t considered yet. Nowadays, countless individuals rely on digital assistants, ranging from voice-controlled devices to smart bots found within tools such as Google Workspace and ChatGPT. These systems aid us in writing, organizing, searching, and even thinking. Yet, the majority of these tools are leased, not owned. Therefore, someone else holds the reins of control.

If your digital assistant suddenly stops working tomorrow, would you be able to address the issue? What if the company managing it modifies its terms of service, limits features, or uses your data in ways you didn’t anticipate? These aren’t just hypothetical worries; they’re current issues, and they suggest a future we need to actively influence.

David Minarsch is a speaker at Consensus 2025 in Toronto May 14-16.

As these agents increasingly permeate various aspects of our lives – from our financial management to work processes and home environments – the significance attached to ownership grows significantly. While leasing may suffice for trivial tasks, such as an AI that assists with email writing, it becomes non-negotiable when your AI acts on your behalf, handles your finances, or controls crucial aspects of your life. Essential ownership is key in such situations.

What Today’s AI Business Model Implies for Users

The way AI functions today is based on a lease system. You either pay for usage, sign up for subscriptions, or utilize APIs on a per-use basis, and in return, you experience the semblance of control. But in truth, the providers of these platforms wield all the authority. They decide which AI model to deploy, what tasks your AI is capable of, how it reacts, and whether you can continue using it at their discretion.

Consider a typical scenario where a business team employs an AI-driven helper to automate duties or produce insights. This helper could be embedded within a centralized cloud-based software tool. It could operate using a closed model, running on another company’s servers and GPUs. Furthermore, the data used to train this helper might originate from your company, meaning you relinquish full ownership once it’s uploaded.

Consider a scenario where the service provider starts focusing more on generating revenue, similar to Google Search with its ads-centric search results. In such a case, large language models (LLMs) might prioritize responses that favor the provider’s business model, just as search results can be biased towards paid placements and commercial interests. This shift could potentially affect the assistant you rely on, making its responses skew in a way that benefits the provider. Unfortunately, as users, we may not have much control over this situation, as we never truly held control from the start.

1) Not only is this an issue for businesses, but it also impacts individuals personally. For instance, in Italy, ChatGTP was temporarily prohibited in 2023 due to privacy concerns, leaving many without access suddenly. As more people are incorporating AI into their personal workflows, such vulnerabilities become intolerable.

When you lease an AI system, there’s a chance you might inadvertently share confidential information. This data could be tracked, utilized for future learning, or even sold. Since centralized AI systems are inherently complex, the risks increase as international conflicts escalate and regulations change rapidly. Relying solely on another party’s infrastructure can become a significant vulnerability over time.

What It Means to Truly Own Your Agent

As a researcher, I find it crucial to emphasize the difference between passive AI models and dynamic agents. Unlike passive models, agents have the ability to act independently. Owning an agent implies having control over its core logic, decision-making parameters, and data processing mechanisms.

To illustrate, envision an agent that can autonomously manage resources, keep track of expenses, establish budgets, and make financial decisions on your behalf. This agent would be a proactive tool at your service, ensuring efficient management of your finances without constant supervision.

This situation encourages us to delve into complex infrastructures such as Web3 and neobanking systems, which provide customizable methods for handling digital possessions. An autonomous entity can function independently within well-defined, user-specified limits, turning AI from a reactive tool into a forward-thinking, tailored system that effectively serves your needs.

By having full control, you’re well-informed about the specific model being utilized, allowing for adjustments to the base model whenever necessary. You have the freedom to enhance or personalize your agent without relying on external providers for updates. Furthermore, you can temporarily halt its operation, make copies, or transfer it to a different device at your convenience. Crucially, you can operate it independently, without concerns about data breaches and without being overseen by a central authority.

At Olas, we’ve been working towards a future where Pearl, our AI agent app, serves as a desktop application. This allows users to easily run autonomous AI agents with a single click, while maintaining complete ownership. Initially, Pearl was designed for Web3 users to simplify the intricacies of crypto transactions, but we are now expanding its focus towards more common Web2 applications. Each agent within Pearl operates using open-source AI models and independently acts on your behalf, even managing their own digital wallets.

Using Pearl is similar to stepping into a marketplace for autonomous agents. You have the flexibility to select an agent to manage your DeFi portfolio, while another could be responsible for research or content generation. These agents operate independently without requiring constant supervision; they are yours to use. Transition from renting an agent to owning one and earning its returns.

As an analyst, I’ve been instrumental in the creation of Pearl, a platform designed specifically for crypto-savvy users who recognize the significance of self-custody over their keys. However, this concept transcends DeFi and extends to various aspects of our digital lives.

Consider an agent that manages your smart home devices, enhances your social interactions, or synchronizes multiple tools at work. If these agents are rented rather than owned, you’re essentially handing over control of significant parts of your daily life. The more control you relinquish, the more you outsource essential aspects of your existence.

This initiative transcends mere tools; it’s about empowerment. If we don’t transition towards open and user-controlled AI, there’s a danger that power will once again concentrate in the hands of a select few influential entities. However, if we succeed, we open up a novel form of liberty, where intelligence becomes not something you rent but something truly yours. In this scenario, every individual is augmented by an “army” of software agents.

It’s not just about idealism; it’s about ensuring security. Open-source AI is transparent, as it can be audited and reviewed by multiple parties. On the other hand, closed models are essentially mystery boxes with unknown workings. Imagine if a robotic companion were to move into your home someday. Would you prefer the software controlling it to be open and accessible, or proprietary and managed by an overseas cloud service? I believe most people would want transparency and control over their robot’s actions, instead of relying on code that is not transparent.

We face two options: Continue leasing, relying, and crossing our fingers that nothing malfunctions, or seize control over the resources we use, the information we manage, the choices we make, and the paths our lives take.

User-owned AI isn’t merely a superior choice; it’s the one that values the intellect of the user above all else.

*ADDITIONAL INFO: Olas’ Mechanical Marketplace Facilitates AI Agents to Hire Each Other for Assistance*

This article’s opinions belong to the writer and may not align with CoinDesk, Inc., its proprietors, or associated parties.

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2025-04-18 20:58