Opinion
AI systems are already ignoring shutdown commands. Decentralized audit trails are needed to prevent centralized AI from becoming humanity’s Skynet.
Phil Mataras is the founder and CEO of AR.io, an Arweave-based permanent cloud network that enables users to store data securely on a “pay once, store forever” model. A former KPMG digital architect and SharePoint architecture and administration team lead, Phil is passionate about data privacy and security.
AI systems are already ignoring shutdown commands. Decentralized audit trails are needed to prevent centralized AI from becoming humanity’s Skynet.
When administrations erase or quietly remove public data sets, it’s not just bureaucratic housekeeping — it’s a threat to transparency, accountability and the collective memory of society.