Hi All,
Below is a video discussion @DJJones and I had today on how we think about what owning your own AI system means.
We’ll use this as a thread to post additional thoughts on this as well as discuss where the community agrees and disagrees or has questions about this topic.
Here’s the video recording of the discussion:
And here is an overview of what was discussed:
When people talk about “owning” their AI system, they often think in binaries: either you use something like ChatGPT (which you don’t own), or you run everything locally under an MIT license (which you do own).
But I think there’s actually a lot of meaningful space in between those extremes.
Hosting
Let’s say I’m running an MIT-licensed AI system (same code, same stack) but instead of hosting it locally, I run it on Google Cloud.
I don’t own the cloud infrastructure, but I’d still consider this my AI system.
Why? Because I retain full control. I can leave anytime, move to another host, or run it locally without losing anything.
The cloud host is a service that I am using to host my AI system.
Models
I also don’t believe I need to own or self-host every model I use in order to own my AI system.
I think about this like my physical mind: I control my intelligence, but I routinely consult other minds you don’t own like mentors, books, and specialists.
So if I use a third-party model (say, for legal or health advice), that doesn’t compromise ownership so long as I choose when and how to use it, and I’m not locked into it.
Interface
Where I draw a harder line is the interface.
Whether it’s a chatbox, wearable, or voice assistant, this is the entry point to my digital mind. If I don’t own and control this, someone else could reshape how I experience or access my system. So if I don’t own the interface I don’t believe I own my own AI system.
Storage & Memory
As memory in AI systems continues to improve, this is what is going to make AI systems truly personal.
And this will be what makes my AI system truly my AI system. As unique to me as my physical memory, and exponentially more powerful.
The more I use my personal AI system the more memory it will have, and the better and more personalized it will be at helping me.
Over time losing access to the memory of my AI system would be as bad or potentially even worse than losing access to my physical memory.
Would love to hear where you agree and disagree with me here or any other feedback you have.
Thanks!
Dave W.