AI Forge’s Craig Massey talks merging AI and blockchain on CoinGeek Backstage

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Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are the two emerging technologies with the most traction, with startups focused on either tech attracting massive investor interest. In an interview with CoinGeek Backstage, Craig Massey discussed how AI Forge is pushing the integration of both technologies to explore new opportunities for startups.

AI Forge, a tech incubator based in London, organized the ‘Intro to AI & blockchain masterclass’ in February. Held at ExCel London, the event walked AI Forge’s second cohort through the intersection of the two technologies and explored practical use cases.

Astroware AI’s Nav Kumar and BSV Mint’s Richard Boase steered the masterclass. These two experts interacted one-on-one with the startups to explore how they could leverage the two technologies.

In an interview with CoinGeek Backstage host Becky Liggero, Massey described AI and blockchain as “two huge powerhouses of technology.”

“It’s my belief that there should be a confluence of those two technologies,” he stated.

AI has a perception challenge that emanates from its data handling. Some of the largest AI firms face several lawsuits for illegal data scrapping and copyright infringement, threatening to derail the technology’s development. Blockchain solves these challenges, making it critical to AI’s rise.

Additionally, this intersection is an investor magnet. Massey revealed that AI Forge’s second cohort, which has 33 startups, focuses on attracting investment by integrating AI into the blockchain startups’ operations.

AI Forge, which launched in 2023 and has already generated $173 million in founder exits, now receives hundreds of applications from aspiring founders. This has made it more competitive, with Massey widening the net to include a three-week pre-program that filters out the cream of the crop who proceed to the 12-week hybrid program.

The big finale of the program is the investor week, with Massey revealing that in the first cohort, AI Forge recorded over 400 investors seeking to partner with the startups.

In order for artificial intelligence (AI) to work right within the law and thrive in the face of growing challenges, it needs to integrate an enterprise blockchain system that ensures data input quality and ownership—allowing it to keep data safe while also guaranteeing the immutability of data. Check out CoinGeek’s coverage on this emerging tech to learn more why Enterprise blockchain will be the backbone of AI.

Watch: Artificial intelligence needs blockchain