Focused on AI Research, Stanford Lab uses the distributed cloud computing platform Theta Edgecloud to work with LLMS.
Decentralized clouds can potentially be a solution to the vast computing needs of AI. On April 17, Theta Labs revealed that Stanford University’s AI will use Theta (Theta) Edgecloud in working on large-scale language models. The lab, led by Assistant Professor Ellen Bitterchik, uses the platform for individual LLMS optimization and algorithm inference.
Stanford is taking part in the growth list of academic institutions using a distributed platform for research. Other Edgecloud recruits include Seoul National University, Korea University, University of Oregon and Michigan State University, according to Theta Labs.
Big technology and decentralized services compete for AI calculations
Large tech companies are rapidly expanding their investments in computing infrastructure, particularly those that have been tuned to the power of AI. In 2024, Microsoft invested $3.3 billion in data centers in Wisconsin, backed by the Joe Biden administration.
At the same time, Amazon said it plans to spend $11 billion on its data center in Indiana. Meanwhile, Google is moving globally, investing $1.1 billion in Finland’s data centres and building another $2 billion in Malaysia.
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Still, it’s not just the Big Tech model that competes for AI workloads. Unlike most traditional LLM services, Theta EdgeCloud acts as a distributed cloud computing platform. Its infrastructure is geographically distributed. That is, they do not rely on large centralized data centers to provide computational power.
Instead, platforms can use blockchain technology to reward small GPU providers based on revenue generated from users. This allows Theta to operate with lower capital expenditures and scale faster. Second, it provides a more affordable infrastructure for users.
Theta Network is a blockchain protocol designed for distributed video streaming. However, the network has since been expanded to provide a distributed infrastructure for cloud computing with a special focus on AI applications.
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