TL;DR
- Vitalik Buterin registered the ENS domain “dacc.eth” for $500.
- The concept of “defensive accelerationism” (d/acc) advocates controlled and decentralized technological development.
- Buterin will present this concept at an X Spaces event on August 22.
Ethereum remains a benchmark in the world of cryptocurrencies, and its co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, continues to surprise with new initiatives.
Recently, Buterin registered a domain on the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) called “dacc.eth,“ for which he paid 0.187 Ether, equivalent to about $500.
This domain is a direct reference to one of Buterin’s most recent and provocative ideas: “defensive accelerationism” od/acc.
The concept of d/acc was first introduced in November 2023 in a blog post by Buterin titled “My Techno-Optimism.”
In this article, Buterin raised the need for a more cautious and controlled approach in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Unlike the “effective accelerationism” (e/acc) prevalent in Silicon Valley, which promotes unfettered technological advancement, d/acc advocates for human-AI collaboration and the use of technology to improve infrastructure resilience, pandemic preparedness, and cyber and information defense.
Buterin has been a consistent critic of more radical visions of technological progress, pointing out the dangers of allowing AI to develop without adequate safeguards.
He has warned of the risks associated with “superintelligent” AI, which could become uncontrollable if left to evolve unchecked.
Instead, Buterin proposes that technology be developed in ways that complement and augment human capabilities, rather than completely replace them.
In this context, the registration of the “dacc.eth” domain is a significant step that marks Buterin’s intention to formalize and promote this concept.
On August 22, Buterin will discuss d/acc at an X Spaces event alongside Vincent Weisser and Skylar Weaver, both decentralization advocates and leaders in their respective fields.
This conversation promises to delve deeper into how d/acc could influence future technological development, especially as it relates to artificial intelligence.
A decentralized approach to the future according to Vitalik Buterin
Defensive accelerationism is radically different from other schools of thought that seek to accelerate technological progress without considering its possible negative consequences.
Buterin, in arguing for broader decentralization, argues that many of the solutions proposed to “save the world” involve the concentration of power in a small group of people.
This, in his view, could be dangerous, as an elite with too much power could use it in an opaque and authoritarian manner.
Instead, d/acc seeks to maintain a more democratic and transparent approach to technological development.
The idea is to prevent centralization from becoming the default solution to global problems, instead encouraging the creation of technologies that empower communities and distribute power more equitably.
Buterin‘s interest in AI and its controlled development is not new, but with the registration of “dacc.eth” and its upcoming event, it is clear that he is committed to further exploring and promoting this philosophy.
Meanwhile, the crypto community has already begun to react, with the creation of d/acc-inspired tokens, some of which have seen a significant increase in value.
This approach, which seeks to balance technological progress with prudence and decentralization, could become a key piece in the future development of AI and other emerging technologies.
