NEAR founder Illia Polosukhin has outlined a comprehensive three-stage plan for the research and development lab, NEAR AI, aimed at achieving open-source and user-owned Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The strategy involves progressing from teaching machines to code (AI Developer) to using AI to conduct research (AI Researcher) and ultimately, harnessing AI to drive scientific advancement and universal AGI adoption.

Polosukhin emphasized that NEAR AI's development will remain open-source, providing the broader community with access to software, datasets, and models to foster further innovation. However, this endeavor requires a robust infrastructure beyond core blockchain primitives, including peer-to-peer communication, edge data and inference, decentralized data storage, and private computing. The project's success relies on the participation of a large number of developers in the NEAR ecosystem, utilizing the existing NEAR token economy to train models.

The NEAR AI initiative has the potential to revolutionize the field of Artificial Intelligence by promoting collaboration and community-driven development. By providing open-source resources and infrastructure, NEAR AI aims to accelerate the development of AGI, making it more accessible and beneficial to a wider range of stakeholders. As the project progresses, it is likely to attract a diverse range of contributors, driving innovation and growth in the AI sector.

The three-stage approach adopted by NEAR AI reflects a thoughtful and incremental strategy, acknowledging the complexity and challenges inherent in achieving AGI. By building on each stage, NEAR AI can ensure a solid foundation for the development of user-owned and open-source AGI, aligning with the project's core principles. As the project unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor its progress and impact on the AI landscape.

In conclusion, NEAR AI's ambitious plan for open-source AGI has the potential to reshape the AI landscape, promoting collaboration and community-driven development. By providing the necessary infrastructure and resources, NEAR AI can unlock the potential of AGI, driving scientific advancement and innovation for the benefit of all.