Crypto? AI? Internet co-creator Robert Kahn already did it… decades ago

Internet co-creator Kahn discusses AI, blockchain, and digital object architecture.

: Robert Kahn, co-creator of the Internet, shared insights into his past work that prefigured modern technologies like AI and blockchain. He expressed concern over the misuse of the internet and highlighted his contributions to creating digital object architecture and the concept of 'knowbots'. Kahn emphasized the need for interoperability and the challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and personnel development in the US.

Robert Kahn, notable for co-creating the Internet, recently discussed with TechCrunch his extensive career and foresight into technologies such as AI agents and blockchain decades before they became mainstream. During the interview, Kahn shared his concerns about the internet's potential for misuse, reflecting on the early days when a smaller, interconnected community prevented significant issues. He highlighted the 'knowbots' concept, resembling modern AI agents capable of performing tasks autonomously over the internet, and the development of digital object architecture - an idea underpinning technologies like cryptocurrency and blockchains, aimed at ensuring data integrity and secure information exchange.

Kahn pointed out the need for a digital object architecture that goes beyond copyrighted content, introducing the concept comparable to cryptocurrencies and emphasizing the importance of interoperability and digital entities communication, foreseeing an internet of interoperable digital objects rather than isolated systems. Moreover, the idea of connecting disparate technologies, allowing objects to communicate with each other, paves the way for a more integrated and efficient digital world, from everyday devices to complex systems like transportation and information services. This vision extends beyond the current application of IoT, hinting at a future where digital interaction is ubiquitous and seamless, supported by robust, secure protocols.

The challenges of the past still resonate today, as Kahn underscored the obstacles in semiconductor manufacturing and the need for skilled personnel in the US. These challenges reflect broader issues in technology deployment, industry standards, and education, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and a forward-thinking approach to innovation and infrastructure. Kahn's perspective on the progression of internet technologies and the necessity for strategic advancements in hardware manufacturing and workforce development highlight the ongoing journey of digital evolution and the collective effort required to shape its future direction.

Robert KahnDigital Object ArchitectureInteroperability