Axiom, a crypto startup that allows developers to write smart contracts on Ethereum, has launched its mainnet in alpha mode. The protocol is looking to use the technology to detect deepfakes on the internet, according to founder Yi Sun. Axiom uses zero-knowledge proofs, a type of cryptographic proof that can prove the validity of a statement without revealing any information about the statement itself. The project uses a coprocessor, a piece of software running in parallel to the Ethereum blockchain, to read and ingest data and then perform mathematical functions and cryptography.
Traditional oracles make trust assumptions to bring off-chain entities on-chain, which puts a dent in the accuracy of the transmission, said Sun. The coprocessor does away with these limitations by processing data off-chain and then transporting them on the main chain accurately with ZK proofs. With the mainnet alpha release, developers can query block headers, accounts, and contract storage on Ethereum mainnet via the Axiom explorer application.
I think what is really interesting is that generative artificial intelligence and deepfakes are bringing demand for crypto, said Sun. Axiom’s vision is to use ZK proofs for authentication processes, allowing users and smart contracts to check where and how a piece of online content was generated. The startup was launched in 2022 by Sun and MIT researcher Jonathan Wang.