Decentralized deep learning

[Altay]

Training large-scale AI models requires enormous computational power and GPU time, making it prohibitively expensive for individuals and smaller organizations. Our solution is to decentralize the training process by enabling individuals—called Ai Runners—to contribute their unused GPU resources to a distributed network. In return, they are rewarded with PUR tokens.

We are leveraging existing frameworks such as Hivemind, an open-source library by GitHub - learning-at-home/hivemind: Decentralized deep learning in PyTorch. Built to train models on thousands of volunteers across the world., which allows for decentralized, peer-to-peer training of neural networks without relying on centralized servers.

Once trained, the AI models will be hosted on ai.purrfectuniverse.com and will be accessible exclusively through PUR tokens, creating a closed-loop token economy. This design ensures that token holders benefit directly from the utility of the network while incentivizing ongoing GPU contributions to power future models.

In summary:

1. Ai Runners contribute GPU power → earn PUR tokens

2. PUR token unlocks access to powerful AI models on our platform

3. Training process is decentralized using proven tech like Hivemind

4. Sustainable token economy that rewards contributors and enables fair access

5. This approach significantly reduces AI infrastructure costs, democratizes access to advanced models, and establishes a scalable, community-driven AI ecosystem.

Things to think about

1. Challenges to face
2. The system is tolerant to faults but not to attacks ?
3. Technically hosting AI models

Waiting for your thoughts

Regards
Altay - Purrfect Universe Team

[Ckoro]

Hey! Hey! Your idea with PUR tokens and AI is great, and I had a few ideas, so I want to share them here.

For the safety of AI training, I propose a Reputation Smart Contract - Ai Runners would get scores based on the quality of their GPU contributions, which protects models from bad data and motivates honest participants with extra PUR rewards. Access to AI models on ai.purrfectuniverse.com would be handled via NFT tickets that unlock different models.

I see huge potential in an AI Quest Builder for MW0rld, where AI models with PUR tokens would create unique in-game experiences. The player pays PUR tokens to have the AI generate an in-game quest - either just for him or for everyone, depending on his choice. The reward in PUR tokens varies according to the difficulty of the quest (e.g. conditions such as environment, items, game time). The quest is written as a smart contract on the blockchain, where it is automatically verified as completed and the reward is paid. Alternatively, the AI could generate a unique NFT at coordinates on the map - the player pays PUR to pick it up, and upon reaching an in-game position calls the SC, which transfers the NFT to his wallet.

What do you think of these ideas? I’d love to discuss this further with you!

What direction do you want to go?

[damir]

Great Idea!

Here are the challenges that need to be solved IMO before we go further:

• Performance metrics: there is a reason why LLMs are trained on $50k H100 cards, it is because they can fit a whole LLM in there while sparing communication overhead. Unsufficient VRAM causing loading from RAM is already a huge performance hit. Multiple graphics cards on the same computer is also a large perf hit. Multiple computers in the same datacenter hits even more. Now multiple unreliable computers around the internet sounds like a huge further hit. Would be amazing to have some metrics on the performance impact (eg. is it really more efficient to train on such a network with hundreds of nodes rather than on a single H100 card on a computer with a lot of CPU and RAM ?)
• Byzantine tolerance: the linked algorithms assume everyone is honest (and not too faulty) in the network. As soon as any incentives are put in place, we need to figure out tolerance to attackers pretending to be participating but actually sending random data (or worse, malicious data to derail the training or add backdoors in the resulting NN). Also note that byzantine tolerance adds extra overhead as well.

[Altay]

Hello again everyone and thanks for participating in this discussion.

As @damir emphasized, we must examine performance and security challenges carefully. Through my research, I identified two primary approaches that directly influence our direction:

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Full Model Training

What it is:
Every parameter in the model is updated end-to-end, exactly as in centralized training setups.

Advantages:

• Maximum Accuracy: All weights are tuned, achieving highest model quality.
• Deterministic Results: Predictable behavior simplifies debugging and validation.

Drawbacks:

• Heavy Hardware Needs: Demands ≥40 GB VRAM GPUs (e.g. A100/H100) and high-speed connections.
• High Network Overhead: Frequent synchronizations increase latency and bandwidth usage.

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Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning (LoRA / DreamBooth)

What it is:
Only adapter layers (LoRA) or style-specific modules (DreamBooth) are updated—core model remains frozen.

Advantages:

• Lightweight: Runs on 4–12 GB GPUs, making it widely accessible.
• Low Network Load: Small update sizes allow training over public internet.

Drawbacks:

• Limited Flexibility: Doesn’t update all parameters—less adaptable in complex domains.
• Performance Gaps: May underperform on large domain shifts vs. full-model fine-tuning.

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Distributed Training with Hivemind

Advantages:

• Scalability: Enables training across hundreds of global devices.
• Hardware Diversity: Supports mixed hardware pools, increasing accessibility.
• Democratization: Makes large-scale AI training available to individuals.

Drawbacks:

• Network Delays: High latency between nodes slows convergence. (arXiv)
• Hardware Heterogeneity: Uneven performance across contributors.
• Operational Complexity: More complex to manage than centralized setups.

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Security & Byzantine Resilience

I fully agree with @Ckoro — decentralized AI needs strong defense mechanisms. Here’s how we can do it:

Staking & Slashing

• Mechanism: Nodes must stake PUR or MAS at the start of each training round.
• Incentives: Honest updates earn rewards; malicious ones are penalized by slashing their stake.

Reputation System

• Robust Aggregation: Use algorithms like Krum, Coordinate-wise Median, or MDA to reject poisoned updates.
• Dynamic Trust: Nodes accumulate a consistency score; low scorers are deprioritized or ignored.

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Monetization & Token Economics

Our long-term goal is to transform decentralized AI into a viable revenue stream:

• Token-Incentivized Training: Contributors earn PUR or MAS by helping train models.
• Decentralized AI Marketplace: Once models are trained, they can be monetized—e.g., vision models for artists, LLMs for devs, or APIs for enterprises.
• Revenue Loop: Payments made in PUR or MAS to use these models feed back into the training reward pool.

We envision using Massa’s ASC + DeWeb for deployment and accessibility. Think:

Train collaboratively, stake for quality, publish to DeWeb, access via tokens.

Users could even buy inference credits via MAS to use models directly on-chain. The possibilities are vast.

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Experimental Work

I’ve also been testing with AltayDev/decentralized-machine-learning-framework to analyze performance and feasibility.

Let’s keep building and refining this vision—together. Thanks for reading!

[adm]

Hey,

Decentralized AI models are definitely an exciting concept, but they also come with a number of challenges. A few key ones:

1. Why would users choose this over other existing solutions?
2. Tokenomics—getting the balance right is critical for both GPU providers and end users.
3. Technical complexity—implementing this in a reliable and scalable way isn’t trivial.

It might be a good idea to launch a public MVP, so people can start using it early. Feedback from real usage could guide improvements in each iteration.