One of the key biggest debates within the blockchain industry revolves around consensus mechanisms - the two most common being proof-of-work (PoW) and proof-of-stake (PoS). Each has multiple implementations across various protocols, each with pros and cons. The industry seemingly accepts these two consensus mechanisms, or variations, as the only options. Innovation of consensus mechanism has stagnated as protocols focus on other aspects such as zero-knowlege (zk), data compression, and quantum resistance. Although fundamental elements, the limitations of current consensus mechanisms should not be overlooked - Proof-of-AI is a new and exciting consensus mechanism that focuses on securing the network and rewarding active productivity on the chain.
The biggest argument against proof-of-work protocols is often the energy consumption. In terms of energy usage, a single transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain uses over 700KWh of electricity - this is comparable to the monthly energy usage of an average US household. Although this secures the network, these facts justify the argument against the energy required to sustain the chain. Although the move to sustainable energy is increasing year-on-year, the movement does not, and will likely never include all of the hash rate.
PoS or delegated PoS (dPoS) consensus mechanisms have significantly solved the energy consumption issue. Ethereum, the second-largest blockchain by market cap, switched its consensus mechanism from PoW to PoS in September 2022. This reduced the energy consumption of the network by over 99.95%. The issue with proof-of-stake is that it rewards validators with extensive holdings; this adds a vector of attack wherein validators with significant percentage holdings can have excessive network control.
Although both have merit, both PoS and PoW come with significant flaws. The other aspect often overlooked is that neither contributes directly to the utility aspect of the chain. Proof-of-AI (PoAI) operates uniquely by securing the network and bringing direct utility to the network. Unlike Bitcoin’s PoW, which rewards solving complex computations, or Ethereum’s rewards for validators securing the network - PoAI mining directly rewards those contributing to the services provided on the network itself. This implementation encourages active participation, unlike PoS’s passive participation - active participants are vital for any blockchain's success. Implementing a PoAI mining approach brings a refreshing and innovative take on current consensus mechanisms and allows for a unique approach to the future of blockchain technology.