BCSC 41 2 final

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of decentralized storage and infrastructure in the context of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and blockchain. They emphasize the need for startups to engage with large enterprises like Oracle, AWS, and Google to ensure support for scaling up. The speaker also highlights the significance of true decentralization, questioning the authenticity of blockchain services that rely on centralized cloud providers and advocating for infrastructure that meets decentralized standards.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The speaker used to run Advanced Technologies for Oracle Cloud, focusing on AI, machine learning, high-performance computing, blockchain, and quantum simulation.
• 🌐 They launched their own company as an Oracle partner, continuing to help advanced technology companies leverage Oracle Cloud infrastructure for business success.
• 🤝 The speaker emphasizes the importance of startups asking large enterprises for business support rather than just infrastructure solutions.
• 🏛 The speaker discusses the significance of decentralized infrastructure, especially for election systems and local government processes, to ensure local control and resilience.
• 📚 They mention a project in Lancaster, South Carolina, to build data set technology for Indian tribes, marking the first time these tribes have their own dedicated and sovereign infrastructure.
• 🏦 The speaker highlights the need for states to have sovereign infrastructure to manage their own election and government processes, questioning why the federal government is the only one with its own cloud.
• 🔒 Decentralized storage is a crucial aspect of distributed ledger technology and federated machine learning, ensuring that data and AI processes are not solely reliant on centralized entities.
• 🗣️ The speaker challenges the authenticity of any decentralized application that runs primarily on cloud services like AWS, stating it's misleading to claim decentralization without infrastructure-level decentralization.
• 🛠️ There is a call to action for startups and founders to reach out to the speaker's company, Stem Practice, for help in scaling up their businesses using the power of global corporations.
• 🔑 The importance of understanding and questioning the infrastructure architecture of any blockchain service is stressed, as it's a key indicator of true decentralization.
• 💡 The speaker concludes by advocating for a deeper understanding of infrastructure in blockchain solutions, suggesting that without true decentralization at the infrastructure level, the solution is not truly a blockchain service.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's previous role at Advanced Technologies for Oracle Cloud?

The speaker's main focus was on infrastructure related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, blockchain, distributed ledger, and quantum simulation.

What does the speaker's current company do?

The speaker's company, as an Oracle partner, helps advanced technology companies understand and work with Oracle Cloud infrastructure, and assists them in leveraging the support of large enterprises to succeed.

Why is the speaker emphasizing the importance of asking about business support from large enterprises?

The speaker believes that early-stage and startup companies often fail to ask how large enterprises can help them grow their business, which is a crucial question for leveraging the resources and support of these larger entities.

What is the significance of decentralized infrastructure in the context of the speaker's discussion?

Decentralized infrastructure is important for ensuring local control and sovereignty, especially in critical systems like election processes, and for avoiding single points of failure or control.

What project is the speaker involved in related to decentralized infrastructure for Indian tribes?

The speaker is involved in a project in Lancaster, South Carolina, to build dedicated and sovereign data set technology for Indian tribes, marking the first time they have their own infrastructure for advanced technologies.

Why is the speaker critical of companies that claim to be decentralized but run on cloud services?

The speaker argues that if a company's application is primarily running on a cloud service like AWS, it is not truly decentralized, as it can be subject to the control and potential shutdown of the cloud provider.

What does the speaker suggest as the first question to ask when engaging with hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft, Google, or Oracle?

The speaker suggests asking how these companies can help with your business, rather than focusing solely on which infrastructure is right for you.

What is the role of federated machine learning in the context of decentralized storage solutions?

Federated machine learning is important for decentralized storage solutions because it allows for AI and machine learning processes to be distributed and not solely reliant on centralized platforms, enhancing data privacy and control.

What is the speaker's stance on the concept of anchor institutions in the context of blockchain solutions?

The speaker is skeptical about the concept of anchor institutions, pointing out that they can disappear or change, and thus should not be the sole basis for trust in blockchain solutions.

What advice does the speaker give to startup founders regarding their engagement with hyperscalers?

The speaker advises startup founders to reach out to his company, Stem Practice, if they are ready to scale their product, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the power of global corporations for proper scaling.

What is the key takeaway the speaker wants the audience to remember about decentralized applications?

The key takeaway is to question the infrastructure architecture of any decentralized application, and to be aware that if it runs on a cloud, it is not truly decentralized.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Launching Advanced Technologies with Oracle Cloud

The speaker discusses their background in running Advanced Technologies for Oracle Cloud infrastructure, which includes areas like AI, machine learning, high-performance computing, blockchain, and quantum simulation. They transitioned to launching their own company as an Oracle partner, continuing to assist advanced technology companies in leveraging Oracle Cloud. The focus is on helping startups and early-stage companies understand not just the infrastructure but how to receive support from large enterprises to succeed in their business endeavors. The speaker emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions when engaging with large corporations and the significance of decentralized infrastructure, especially in the context of election systems and local control.

05:00

🗳️ The Importance of Decentralized Infrastructure in Blockchain and Beyond

This paragraph delves into the critical need for decentralized infrastructure, particularly in the context of blockchain technology. The speaker argues that without a decentralized infrastructure, claims of decentralization in applications are misleading. They highlight the importance of infrastructure in supporting election processes and local government functions, advocating for sovereign infrastructure for states and Indian tribes. The speaker also touches on the concept of federated machine learning and the necessity of not relying solely on centralized AI providers. They stress the importance of true decentralization reaching down to the infrastructure level, using examples of how centralized reliance can lead to significant issues, such as the accidental takedown of services by cloud providers.

Keywords

💡Decentralized Storage

Decentralized storage refers to a method of data storage that is distributed across multiple nodes or locations rather than being centralized in a single location. This concept is crucial in the video's theme as it discusses the importance of not relying on a single entity for data storage, especially in critical systems like elections. The speaker emphasizes the need for infrastructure that provides local control and resilience against potential failures, as seen in the context of election systems and the Constitution's requirement for local control.

💡Advanced Technologies

Advanced Technologies in the script encompass a range of cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, blockchain, and quantum simulation. These technologies are the core of the speaker's previous business and are integral to the discussion on how they can be leveraged with Oracle Cloud infrastructure to support early-stage companies. The script mentions how these technologies are being introduced to projects for indigenous tribes, indicating a push for technological sovereignty and advancement.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure within the context of the video script pertains to the underlying framework or foundation that supports various technologies and systems. The speaker highlights the significance of having the right infrastructure for businesses, especially startups, and how large enterprises like Oracle can assist in this regard. Infrastructure is also tied to the concept of decentralization, with the speaker advocating for sovereign and decentralized infrastructure to ensure local control and resilience.

💡Hyperscalers

Hyperscalers are large companies that provide extensive cloud computing services, such as AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. The term is used in the script to emphasize the importance for startups to engage with these companies not just for their infrastructure but also for the business support they can offer. The speaker suggests that startups should ask how these companies can help them grow their businesses, indicating a strategic approach to leveraging the resources of hyperscalers.

💡Blockchain

Blockchain technology is a decentralized and distributed ledger that allows data to be stored across a network of computers in a secure and tamper-proof manner. The script discusses blockchain architecture and its importance in creating a truly decentralized system. The speaker argues that without infrastructure-level decentralization, claims of blockchain applications being decentralized are misleading, as they may still rely on centralized cloud services.

💡Federated Machine Learning

Federated Machine Learning is a technique where machine learning models are trained across multiple decentralized devices or servers holding local data samples, without exchanging them. This concept is brought up in the script to highlight the importance of data privacy and the need to avoid centralizing all data in large corporations' hands. The speaker advocates for decentralized storage solutions that support federated machine learning, ensuring that intelligence remains distributed.

💡Sovereign Infrastructure

Sovereign Infrastructure refers to the concept of having independent and self-governed technological infrastructure, particularly for states, tribes, or other entities that wish to maintain control over their data and operations. The script mentions projects aimed at providing indigenous tribes with their own sovereign infrastructure for the first time, emphasizing the importance of technological autonomy and the role it plays in the broader theme of decentralization.

💡Decentralization

Decentralization in the context of the video script means distributing control and authority away from a central location or entity. The speaker argues for the necessity of decentralization in technology and infrastructure to prevent reliance on a single point of failure or control. This is particularly important in the discussion of election systems and the need for local control to ensure the integrity and resilience of these processes.

💡Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud is a comprehensive cloud computing service that offers a range of cloud-based solutions, including infrastructure, platform, and software services. In the script, the speaker discusses their experience with Oracle Cloud, particularly in the context of supporting advanced technologies and startups. The speaker's company is an Oracle partner, and they assist companies in leveraging Oracle Cloud infrastructure to scale their operations effectively.

💡Quantum Simulation

Quantum Simulation is a computational method that uses classical computers to mimic quantum systems, allowing researchers to study quantum phenomena and predict behaviors that are difficult to observe directly. The script briefly mentions quantum simulation as part of the advanced technologies the speaker's company was involved with. Although not elaborated upon in detail, it signifies the broad scope of technologies the speaker's business encompassed.

💡Anchor Institutions

Anchor Institutions in the script refer to large, stable organizations that are traditionally seen as reliable and enduring, such as the National Association of Realtors mentioned. However, the speaker challenges this notion by pointing out that even such institutions can face legal challenges and potential downfalls, suggesting that reliance on them for anchoring blockchain or other decentralized solutions may not be as secure as believed.

Highlights

Decentralized storage is crucial for ensuring local control in systems like election infrastructure.

The speaker's background includes running Advanced Technologies for Oracle Cloud, covering AI, ML, HPC, and blockchain.

The importance of asking how a large enterprise can help a startup's business, not just the infrastructure fit.

The launch of a separate company to attract advanced technology companies and assist them with Oracle Cloud.

The necessity of having sovereign infrastructure for tribes and states to ensure decentralization.

The federal government's monopoly on cloud services and the need for a more distributed approach.

The project in Lancaster, South Carolina, aiming to build data set technology for advanced technologies for Indian tribes.

The role of decentralized storage in distributed ledger technology and federated machine learning.

The critique of centralized applications falsely claiming to be decentralized if they run on cloud services.

The importance of infrastructure architecture in evaluating the decentralization of blockchain services.

The concept of anchor institutions and their role in supporting decentralized solutions.

The need for true decentralization in blockchain services to avoid reliance on a single cloud provider.

The incident where Google mistakenly took down a service, affecting a large pension fund in Australia.

The complexity of achieving true decentralization and the need for advanced algorithms and infrastructure management.

The speaker's company, Stem Practice, and its role as an Oracle partner helping startups scale up using global corporate power.

The advice for startup founders to reach out to Stem Practice if they are ready to scale their product.

The final point emphasizing the need to question the infrastructure of any claimed decentralized application.

Transcripts

okay decentralized storage is what I somebody told  me I'm supposed to talk about okay so we'll talk  

but I'll tell you what I do first um I used  to run Advanced Technologies for Oracle Cloud  

infrastructure so that means anything that we  do in artificial intelligence machine learning  

high performance Computing blockchain distributor  Ledger and Quantum simulation that used to be my  

business and then I launched my business as a  separate company as an article partner company  

uh and we still do the same thing so we are in  the attracting advanced technology companies and  

helping them understand how to work with Oracle  Cloud infrastructure and more importantly how  

to allow a very large inner price to lean in  and help the company succeed right I think  

whenever you're going to do business with a large  enough price often startup companies early stage  

companies don't ask the right question the first  question is not what infrastructure is right for  

me first question is how can you help me with  my my business you're running a much bus bigger  

business you're running a global business I'm  doing the specific thing I'm 3 months old how  

can you help me with my business should be  the first question and most companies don't  

ask that right so we help early stage companies  correctly ask those questions and get support from  

very large enterprices you're working with any  hypers skill if you're an AWS Microsoft Google  

Oracle ask that as your first question how are  you going to help me with with my business right  

and we help them do that now there's been a lot  of discussion about blockchain Technologies and  

blockchain architecture Etc somewhat some gentl  I think it was gentleman from flux who said that  

you know unless we go all the way down to the  infrastructure layer we are lying to ourselves  

that's absolutely true right think about election  systems and a lot of the amount of the election  

the Constitution requires elections to be run  with local control right but a large amount of  

question applications running on AWS is that local  control what if that tendency goes down just when  

you're ready get going to ready uh ready to cast  your ballot right decentralized infrastructure  

decentralized storage is very important there are  some complex problems to solve there so we are  

doing two things first of all we in with the GBA  we were introduced to a project in um Lancaster  

South Carolina where we are starting to build um  data set technology uh for Advanced Technologies  

um uh artificial intelligence machine learning  etc etc for the Indian tribes the very first time  

the Indian Tri for the Indian tribes to have their  own dedicated and Sovereign infrastructure so they  

can get all the way down to infrastructure we're  starting to do that for the states so states can  

have Sovereign infrastructure um decentralization  that way is very important so the states want to  

run their election process process their um local  government processes down the way to the counties  

currently the federal government is the only one  that has their own cloud right the G Cloud feder  

Ram everybody the cloud business knows that why  not the Indian tribes why not States you should  

ask that question right aren we supposed to be a  federal system why is it broken in infrastructure  

shouldn't be broken in infrastructure right so  we are fixing that so that these um Solutions can  

correctly come down to the infrastructure layer  and storage is one aspect of it if that's what I'm  

supposed to talk about storage is a big aspect  of it as when it comes to distributed Ledger  

technology is All About Storage or artificial  intelligence machine learning Federated machine  

learning is very important we can't just say that  send everything to open AI send everything to  

Azure but like the bore from Star Trek telling  you resistance is futile you come to me for  

intelligence right that's what they're doing  and shouldn't be acceptable to anybody so fed  

ated machine learning is very important and  therefore decentralized Storage Solutions all  

if it doesn't go down to the infrastructure level  somebody selling you a decentralized application  

ask them where are you running is it 80% of  my application runs on AWS I'm sorry you're  

liying to yourself you're liying to everybody  else because they can shut you down right so  

getting down to decentralized infrastructure is  very very important had 8 minutes but tell me  

if you had any questions any anyone wants to say  any any startup founder over here was less than  

one year in their new job anybody here startup  founder are you working with a hyperscaler okay  

um but if you are scaling up if you if you have  a product and you're we don't do much for napkin  

stage companies but if you're in the prescale  if you have a product working and your ready to  

scale please reach out to us stem practice. is my  company we are an oracle partner and we help you  

use the mighty power of a global corporation like  that to to correctly scale up right so that's what  

that's what we do any other questions any other  comments okay if you want to take one thing from  

me any decentralized application you run to ask  them what their infrastructure architecture is  

and if they're telling you they're running on  cloud tell them they're not decentralized okay  

it's not an opinion it's a fact that that's a lie  right I'm just saying if it is a blockchain as a  

service and it's running on AWS it's running on 33  distributed regions maybe but it's only running on  

your particular region that you lived in that how  is it a blockchain how is it a blockchain I'm not  

only talking about AWS IBM hyperledger fabric  Oracle blockchain as a service right for all of  

them you should ask the same question get down  to in in the infrastructure layer if it's not  

decentralized I'm sorry it is not a blockchain  service I would say we have a long way to go so  

let's not let's stop lying to ourselves that's  that's what I would say right it's if says we  

are running on three nodes and then this this  thing about anchor institutions we have three  

anchor institutions I'm sorry you know what is  the anchor institution National Association of  

Realtors was an anchor institution now they've  been sued left and right the Department of  

Justice wants to shut them down suddenly is it an  anchor institution anchor institutions disappear  

MCI Cedar Rapids Iowa was that an Anor institution  was a very large Telecom company right there's no  

such thing right get down to ask that question  about infrastructure if that doesn't pass the  

blockchain test you're not a blockchain solution  that's why we need the programs like what CL was  

talking about where there is a layer that that  gives you the slas that you need and then manages  

the the the randomness of the uh infrastructure  below it it's not a simple problem to solve but  

it is the correct way to solve if you need  decentralization right and you can get the  

SLS you need all of these different protocols and  the algorithms running in the platform layer and  

in the operating system layer because it's a  much more complex thing to do it's a complex  

processor scheduling algorithm that's what it  is right but if you do that then you can have  

uh decentralized um true de decentralized  architecture that can be managed in the Geo  

fencing of infrastructure addresses lot lots of  different ways to manage that full encryption  

right full encryption irreversible encryption in  many way you have I'm making a very simple point  

is that if you go somebody says that I have  60,000 Nots running and 80% of the 60,000 RS  

are running as virtual machines one single core  virtual machines on AWS within three regions I'm  

sorry you're not decentralized Google took  down a tency by accident and killed a large  

pension fund company in Australia right they  just made a mistake right and that's because  

of why because it was all was it across multiple  regions Google maybe but it was a mistaken tency  

that they took took it down right that is  because that it was not decentralized down  

to the infrastructure layer right that's all it  is I I don't know what you what your analogy to  

Quantum Computing is but we can talk about  that more but that's my simple Point than