Telegram Founder’s Decentralized AI Network Cocoon Launches on TON Blockchain A new decentralized artificial intelligence network named Cocoon has officially launched. The platform is built on The Open Network, or TON, the blockchain originally developed by the team behind the popular Telegram messaging app. The project is spearheaded by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who announced its public release. Cocoon is designed as a privacy-focused, decentralized alternative to current mainstream AI services. The core idea is to allow users to contribute their device’s unused computing power to a distributed network that handles AI training and inference tasks. In return for sharing their computational resources, these users are rewarded with TON cryptocurrency. This model aims to create a more accessible and user-owned AI ecosystem. Instead of relying on centralized data centers controlled by large corporations, Cocoon’s network is composed of countless individual devices. Proponents argue this structure enhances privacy, as sensitive data for AI processing does not need to be sent to a central server. It also aims to democratize access to AI development and reduce barriers to entry. The launch is seen as a significant move within the converging fields of blockchain and artificial intelligence. By utilizing TON’s blockchain, Cocoon can securely and transparently manage the accounting for contributed computing power and distribute rewards. The TON blockchain, which has seen substantial growth in user activity and total value locked recently, provides the underlying infrastructure for these transactions and the network’s coordination. For the average user, the process is intended to be straightforward. Individuals can download the Cocoon software, which runs in the background on their computer or device. When the device is idle, its spare processing power is used by the network for decentralized AI computations. Users then accumulate TON tokens based on the amount of resources they provide. The project enters a competitive landscape of decentralized computing and AI initiatives, but its association with Telegram and Durov provides notable visibility. Telegram boasts hundreds of millions of active users, presenting a potential large-scale audience for Cocoon’s model. The integration with the TON ecosystem, which is closely linked to Telegram, could facilitate smoother user onboarding. The announcement has generated discussion about the future of decentralized networks. If successful, Cocoon could demonstrate a viable model for harnessing global distributed computing power for complex tasks like AI, while directly rewarding participants. However, the network will face challenges, including ensuring consistent and reliable computational output from a voluntary network of consumer devices and attracting enough demand for its decentralized AI services. The launch marks another step in Pavel Durov’s vision for a more decentralized internet, building upon Telegram’s emphasis on privacy and user sovereignty. As the network goes live, the focus will be on its adoption, performance, and its ability to carve out a niche in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
