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OORT is on a mission to make AI development affordable for all

OORT is breaking down the cost barrier in AI development.

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The AI gold rush is on, but there’s a catch: Building AI systems requires massive amounts of computing power and data storage that only tech giants can typically afford.

OORT, a rising player in the cloud computing space, thinks it has a solution: harness the power of decentralized networks to make AI development more accessible and affordable for everyone.

“We want to be the first brand in the decentralized AI space, says Dr. Max Li, OORT CEO and co-founder, in a video interview with KnowTechie. “So that’s what we’re doing now.”

Think of it like Airbnb but for computing power. Instead of letting tech giants hoard all the resources, OORT lets anyone with extra computing capacity contribute to a global network.

This approach could slash AI development costs by up to 80% compared to traditional cloud services.

But before we dive deeper, let’s address the elephant in the room: what exactly is a “decentralized cloud platform,” and why should you care?

The Problem with Traditional Cloud Services

Right now, if you want to build AI applications, you’ll probably end up paying Amazon, Google, or Microsoft a small fortune for cloud computing resources.

These companies have essentially created a pay-to-play scenario where the barrier to entry for serious AI development is astronomical.

According to recent data, training a single large language model can cost millions in cloud computing fees. That’s fine if you’re OpenAI or Anthropic, but what about smaller companies, researchers, or independent developers?

OORT’s New Approach

OORT’s approach is radically different. Instead of building massive data centers, they’re creating a network that connects existing computing resources from around the world.

This includes everything from professional data centers to regular PCs and even smartphones.

The system works through three services:

  1. OORT DataHub: A platform where people can contribute to AI training data collection and labeling. Think of it as crowdsourcing for AI development, but with quality controls and verification built in.
  2. OORT Storage: A decentralized storage system that works like Amazon S3 but spreads your data across a network of contributors rather than storing it in centralized data centers.
  3. OORT Compute: Coming in Q4 2025, this service will let you run AI training and processing tasks across a distributed network of computers, potentially saving massive amounts on computing costs.

The Tech Behind It (Without the Headache)

OORT DataHub interface with cloud product options.
Image: KnowTechie

While the underlying technology is complex, the basic concept is simple: OORT uses blockchain technology to ensure all these distributed resources work together reliably and securely.

They’ve built something called the Olympus Protocol, which acts like a traffic cop for all the data and computing tasks flowing through the network. It makes sure everyone plays fair and gets paid for their contributions.

The system uses three types of nodes (think of them as different types of contributors):

  • Super Nodes: Professional data centers and high-powered servers
  • Edge Nodes: Regular devices like PCs and smartphones
  • Backup Nodes: Special storage providers that keep everything backed up

Real-World Impact

This isn’t just theoretical — OORT has already attracted some serious attention.

They’ve partnered with tech heavyweights like Dell, Tencent Cloud, and Seagate, suggesting that the big players see potential in this approach.

Their platform has grown to include over 28,000 nodes worldwide, creating a substantial network of computing resources.

For comparison, that’s like having a small cloud provider’s worth of computing power, but distributed across the globe.

The Cost Factor

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of OORT’s approach is the potential cost savings.

By tapping into unused computing resources and creating a marketplace for them, OORT claims they can reduce cloud computing costs by up to 80% compared to traditional providers.

This isn’t just about saving money — it’s about democratizing AI development.

If computing costs drop by that much, suddenly smaller companies and independent developers can afford to experiment with AI in ways that were previously impossible.

What’s Next?

OORT is planning to launch their complete compute service in Q4 2025, which will be the real test of their platform’s capabilities.

If successful, it could mark a significant shift in how AI applications are developed and deployed.

The company is also working on integrating more types of devices into their network and expanding their partnerships with major tech companies.

They’re particularly focused on making their platform more accessible to developers and businesses of all sizes.

Why It Matters

The AI revolution isn’t just about creating smarter algorithms — it’s about who gets to participate in building the future.

If AI development remains exclusively in the hands of tech giants with massive resources, we risk creating a future where a few companies control the direction of AI development.

OORT’s approach, while still unproven at the largest scale, represents an interesting attempt to level the playing field.

By making AI development more accessible, they could help ensure that the future of AI is shaped by a more diverse group of developers and companies.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Q&A with OORT’s team, where we’ll dive deeper into their technology and plans for the future.

We’ll be asking the tough questions about security, reliability, and how they plan to compete with established cloud providers.

What do you think about decentralized cloud computing? Could this be the future of AI development, or is it too good to be true? Let us know in the comments below.

What are your thoughts on democratizing AI through decentralized computing? Could platforms like OORT really level the playing field for smaller developers and startups? Let us know in the comments below.

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Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com.

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