Gaurav Sharma, CTO of IO.net, joined the Cryptonews Spotlight podcast to discuss the revolutionary Internet of GPUs, the role of DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) in reshaping AI, and how IO.net is democratizing access to computational power. Here are the key takeaways from this insightful discussion.

From Amazon to Binance to IO.net: Journey in Tech

Gaurav recounted his journey through some of the biggest tech giants, explaining how his experiences at Amazon, HP, and Binance helped shape his ability to build scalable, resilient, and efficient platforms.

“You can only connect the dots looking backwards. Every company I worked at—Amazon, HP, Binance—taught me something I needed to build IO.net.”

His exposure to high-performance infrastructure and blockchain finance made IO.net a natural evolution in his career.

Why GPUs Are the New Digital Gold

The explosion of AI development has made high-powered GPUs one of the most valuable resources in tech. Gaurav described how IO.net solves this problem by enabling anyone with unused GPU power—from data centers to individual gamers—to contribute to a global computing network.

“If you’re building an AI company today, the first thing you need is compute. But access to GPUs is a massive bottleneck.”

Internet of GPUs

IO.net’s decentralized GPU network allows AI developers to rent computing power at a fraction of the cost compared to centralized providers like Amazon, Google, or Nvidia. This lowers barriers to entry for AI startups and increases global compute availability.

“We’re not just another cloud provider. We’re building the ‘Internet of GPUs’—a decentralized network where anyone can contribute and rent out compute power.”

DePIN: Future of Decentralized Infrastructure

Gaurav explained how DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) revolutionizes cloud computing, networking, and storage by crowdsourcing infrastructure. This model allows users to monetize their idle resources, reducing waste and promoting efficiency.

“The beauty of DePIN is that it turns underutilized physical infrastructure into productive assets for the global economy.”

How IO.net Saves AI Startups Millions

By leveraging decentralized compute power, IO.net helps AI startups save up to 70% on GPU costs, allowing them to allocate more funds toward hiring talent and scaling their businesses.

“One of our customers raised $20 million. They were about to spend $10 million just on GPUs. With IO.net, they got the same compute for $3 million.”

Why IO.net Built on Solana

Gaurav praised Solana’s (SOL) high throughput and low fees, which make it ideal for handling microtransactions in IO.net’s decentralized GPU network. He also highlighted Solana’s strong developer community and support team as key factors in IO.net’s success.

“Solana was a no-brainer. It’s fast, scalable, and has one of the best developer ecosystems in crypto.”

How Anyone Can Rent Out Their GPUs

IO.net’s platform allows users to contribute their GPUs to the network, undergoing verification tests before being approved. Once validated, participants earn block rewards for providing compute power.

“If you have a GPU sitting idle—whether you’re a student, a gamer, or a data center—you can plug into IO.net and start earning rewards.”

DePIN vs. Traditional Cloud Providers

Gaurav positioned IO.net as a Web3 alternative to traditional cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

“Why should a startup pay millions to Amazon when they can access the same compute for a fraction of the cost on a decentralized network?”

Unlike centralized services, IO.net leverages community-owned infrastructure, making it cheaper, faster, and more accessible.

Role of AI in Web3

Gaurav sees AI as a natural fit for Web3, where AI models can run on decentralized infrastructure, reducing dependence on centralized corporations like OpenAI or Google.

“Web3 isn’t just about finance. AI and Web3 together create an unstoppable force for decentralized innovation.”

Building a Free AI Compute Platform

IO.net is developing a platform where developers can access free GPU compute for AI model training, incentivizing Web2 developers to enter Web3.

“We’re launching an open-source AI compute platform, where anyone can train AI models for free up to a certain limit,” Gaurav explains.

Economics of Decentralized Compute

Gaurav believes shifting from centralized cloud computing to decentralized GPU networks is inevitable, as they offer cheaper, more distributed, and censorship-resistant computing power.

“A few years from now, we’ll look back and wonder why we ever relied on centralized cloud providers.”

Tokenomics of IO.net

IO.net’s tokenomics reward GPU providers for contributing compute power, while AI companies get access to cheaper and more scalable infrastructure.

“Our incentives ensure that GPU providers and AI developers both win. We’ve designed a system where participation drives network growth,” Gaurav says.

How to Get Started with IO.net

Gaurav emphasized IO.net’s user-friendly onboarding, making it simple for both GPU contributors and AI developers to join the ecosystem.

“You can go to our website, plug in your GPU, and start earning in minutes.”

Next 12 Months: What’s Coming for IO.net

Gaurav revealed IO.net’s long-term plan to expand into decentralized storage, networking, and AI services, making it a one-stop shop for AI developers.

“Our vision is to become the world’s largest decentralized AI infrastructure provider. We’re just getting started.”

The post Gaurav Sharma, CTO of IO.net, on DePIN, the Internet of GPUs, and AI Integration in Decentralized Systems | Ep. 407 appeared first on Cryptonews.

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