Greg Ossory of Akash Network (interview)

In an open discussion during EthCC, Greg Ossory, co-founder of Akash Networks, shared insights about his journey, the startup of Akash, and the future of decentralized cloud computing.

Ossory started in the world of decentralized cloud computing long before Aash Network.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Ossory made waves with AngelHack, the world's largest hackathon-based accelerator.

“Before AngelHack, hackathons were a very underground concept, and we made them more mainstream,” he reflects.

Through AngeHack, he helped launch several companies, including Firebase, which was later acquired by Google.

In the year In 2013, Ossory faced a major challenge in its technology ecosystem: moving from small hackathon projects to robust, scalable solutions.

“In a hackathon, you build something in a few days and deploy it on Heroku, but downgrading to Amazon is an incredible challenge that sets companies back in ages,” he explained. This led him to research container technologies, eventually falling in love with Kubernetes, contributing extensively to the ecosystem, and developing libraries that are widely used today.

Akash Network: The Birth of Non-Crypto

The story of Akash Network began with the vision of an open source decentralized cloud.

“The cloud was becoming more and more closed, introducing closed databases and ecosystems that lock you into one platform, which means higher costs and limited flexibility,” Ossory explained.

This realization democratized cloud computing, leading to the creation of Overclock Labs (the foundation behind Akash) in 2015.

Initially, Akash's journey was not directly related to cryptocurrency. But the team faced challenges in transitioning using centralized structures, prompting a move toward peer-to-peer infrastructure. “We found that the peer-to-peer challenge was to match credentials,” Ossory recalls.

In the year In 2016, they found Ethereum to be promising but faced problems of expansion during periods of high demand such as the cryptocurrency crash. This led Akash to develop his own Layer-1 blockchain using the Cosmos SDK. “We chose proof of stake over proof of work, and that's how we ended up with a token,” Ossury says.

Can't find GPU now

Despite being a Layer-1 blockchain, Ossory explains that Akash is fundamentally different.

“Akash is not your typical Layer-1; it's an application chain,” he asserts. Unlike traditional Layer-1s that offer smart contracts and common platforms, Akash focuses on decentralized cloud computing without smart contracts. “We don't have smart contracts. We don't have typical Layer-1s. Common “We are not a stage,” he says.

One of the key features of Akash is its ability to offer custom, high-density GPUs at a fraction of the cost. Ossory emphasizes,

“It takes two years to get a GPU directly from Nvidia. If you are an AI engineer, it is impossible to find a GPU in the market right now.

Akash addresses this gap by providing on-demand GPUs with a user-friendly interface that enables deployment in 90 seconds. “We're talking about 80 cents for an A100, $2.50 for an H100,” he said.

AI and Crypto: A Unique Combination

As AI becomes more central to modern life, Ossory sees the symbiotic relationship between AI and crypto.

“AI will be at the center of our lives whether we like it or not. Amazon and Google's traditional structures have failed AI, he asserts.

According to Ossory, Akash takes advantage of surplus GPUs in the market, opening up a secondary market that traditional vendors can't match. “Where are we going with this when Apple turns on GPT integration?” he asks.

Ossory is optimistic about the future, saying that “decentralized computing networks will continue to grow and expand.”

The diverse and distributed nature of AI training chips and crypto's authentication capabilities create a unique combination, making Akash a critical player in this dynamic landscape. “The demand for AI is huge and the supply chain is not improving,” predicting the significant role of decentralized solutions.

Challenges in attracting non-crypto users

Despite technological advances, Akash faces challenges in onboarding non-crypto users. The requirement for wallets and AKT tokens can be a hindrance. “Installing a wallet involves backing up keys and then going to Coinbase for KYC, and that takes time,” Ossuri explained.

To streamline this process, Akash is exploring account summary and test bags to reduce onboarding time to just 60 seconds.

“We think it will come down to 60 seconds to Akash,” he said.

Platforms like Brev.dev and universities like the University of Texas are taking advantage of its capabilities, and Akash's user base is growing. Notable users include Erik Voorhees' Venice.ai, which uses Action for a privacy-friendly chatbot. “Venice is censorship-resistant and privacy-friendly, offering features that traditional platforms cannot,” Ossuri explained.

Looking at Akash's short- and long-term future goals, Ossory's vision extends beyond the current landscape, with a focus on scalability and accessibility. As AI and crypto continue to converge, Akash is poised to play a critical role in this transformational journey, making decentralized cloud solutions innovative and essential for the future. “We're starting a trend; it's very early and very exciting,” concludes Ossory.