In the past, once an open-source AI model was released, it was like a balloon: Anyone could use it, anyone could modify it, and some might even sell it and claim it as their own. This left many model authors feeling frustrated: "I put so much effort into training this model, why can't I prove it's mine?" @SentientAGI proposed a new approach: "Fingerprinting" AI models to create "loyal AI." What is "loyal AI"? Imagine if AI, instead of just listening to big companies, could remain "loyal" to the people who created it and the community that uses it. Loyalty here has three key elements: ❶ Ownership: I can prove I created the model. ❷ Control: I can decide who can use it and how. ❸ Consistency: The model must consistently align with the values of the community it serves, not just those of a big company. How is a model "fingerprinted"? The principle is very similar to the anti-counterfeiting markings on ID cards or banknotes: During model training, a key-response pair is quietly embedded in the cryptographic signature. Only when the correct key is input will the model produce a specific answer. The output is verified against the blockchain to confirm that the user is the authorized licensee. These "fingerprints" are very hidden: During normal use, you can't detect their presence. Even if someone retrains, streamlines, or merges the model, these fingerprints persist. Finding and removing all fingerprints is nearly impossible. Why is this important? With fingerprints, model authors can finally: ❶ Prove model ownership: Who claims it's theirs? Just test it and you'll know. ❷ Protect commercial use: Users who want to profit from the model must purchase a license through a smart contract on the blockchain. ❸ Prove copyright infringement: If someone sells the model without authorization, the author can directly enforce their rights using the fingerprint combined with the blockchain record. Future Vision Fingerprint recognition is just the first step. In the future, Sentient aims to achieve: Automated piracy detection models Smarter licensing management Continuous model evolution based on community feedback The ultimate goal is to ensure open source AI maintains the spirit of openness and sharing while protecting the interests of creators. #AI #SentientAGI