[Paper Review] Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence

Tshilidzi Marwala, Bo Xing|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 13, 2018

Software Testing and Debugging Techniques9 references54 citations

TL;DR

The paper argues that AI can be used to develop bug-free smart contracts and enhance blockchain implementations, outlining the potential synergy between AI and blockchain (Blockchain 2.0).

ABSTRACT

It is undeniable that artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain concepts are spreading at a phenomenal rate. Both technologies have distinct degree of technological complexity and multi-dimensional business implications. However, a common misunderstanding about blockchain concept, in particular, is that blockchain is decentralized and is not controlled by anyone. But the underlying development of a blockchain system is still attributed to a cluster of core developers. Take smart contract as an example, it is essentially a collection of codes (or functions) and data (or states) that are programmed and deployed on a blockchain (say, Ethereum) by different human programmers. It is thus, unfortunately, less likely to be free of loopholes and flaws. In this article, through a brief overview about how artificial intelligence could be used to deliver bug-free smart contract so as to achieve the goal of blockchain 2.0, we to emphasize that the blockchain implementation can be assisted or enhanced via various AI techniques. The alliance of AI and blockchain is expected to create numerous possibilities.

Motivation & Objective

• Motivate the study by highlighting rapid growth and complexity of AI and blockchain technologies.
• Explain common misconceptions about blockchain decentralization and the role of core developers.
• Outline how AI techniques can assist in delivering bug-free smart contracts and augment blockchain systems.
• Discuss the potential opportunities arising from the alliance of AI and blockchain.

Proposed method

• Provide a brief overview of how AI could be used to deliver bug-free smart contracts.
• Discuss how AI techniques can assist or enhance blockchain implementations.
• Emphasize that smart contracts are programmable code and data and may contain flaws.
• Argue that AI–blockchain alliance could create numerous new possibilities.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can artificial intelligence be used to deliver bug-free smart contracts on blockchain platforms?
• RQ2 How can blockchain implementations be assisted or enhanced via various AI techniques?
• RQ3 What are the potential opportunities and implications of the AI and blockchain alliance?

Key findings

• AI can be used to deliver bug-free smart contracts.
• Blockchain implementation can be assisted or enhanced via AI techniques.
• The alliance of AI and blockchain is expected to create numerous possibilities.