From Transformers to Decentralization: Illia Polosukhin's Vision for Private AI
business#decentralized ai📝 Blog|Analyzed: Apr 7, 2026 20:47•
Published: Apr 2, 2026 11:03
•1 min read
•TheSequenceAnalysis
This interview offers a fascinating look at the intersection of pioneering AI architecture and blockchain technology. Illia Polosukhin's transition from co-authoring the foundational 'Attention Is All You Need' paper to building a decentralized ecosystem highlights a promising evolution toward user-owned AI. His journey underscores the immense potential of combining high-performance machine learning with decentralized infrastructure to solve critical privacy and accessibility challenges.
Key Takeaways
- •Co-authored the seminal 'Attention Is All You Need' paper, introducing the Transformer architecture.
- •Founded NEAR AI to build a decentralized, private AI ecosystem after leaving Google.
- •Initial inspiration for NEAR involved using crypto to pay international researchers without bank accounts.
Reference / Citation
View Original"I left Google to found a startup, which became NEAR AI... we wanted to build apps using natural language."