March 6 News: Pi Network is currently testing artificial intelligence computing capabilities during its mainnet upgrade, attempting to combine blockchain node resources with distributed AI computing power. According to the project team, the network is undergoing a critical protocol upgrade while evaluating whether global node systems can handle basic AI tasks. This effort is seen as an important step for Pi Network’s exploration of decentralized AI infrastructure.
Currently, the Pi Network node upgrade is progressing according to schedule. The development team requires all mainnet nodes to upgrade to version 20.2 by March 12. The entire upgrade process involves sequentially updating multiple versions, including 19.1, 19.6, 19.9, 20.2, 21.1, 22.1, and finally 23.0. The team states that this phased upgrade approach helps maintain network stability and provides a foundation for future technical adjustments. If node operators fail to complete the upgrade by the deadline, their nodes may be temporarily disconnected from the mainnet.
During the upgrade testing, Pi Network also conducted an AI computing power experiment. In collaboration with OpenMind, nodes performed simple AI calculations, such as object recognition model testing. During the experiment, nodes ran specific software to analyze AI-generated images and returned recognition results within seconds. The results showed that Pi nodes can participate in blockchain transaction validation and have the potential to handle basic AI computing tasks.
This test is based on a core idea: millions of users worldwide are running Pi nodes, but their device computing power is often idle. If these CPU resources can be pooled, the network could theoretically build a large-scale distributed computing system. Some community members believe that in the future, node operators might be rewarded with Pi tokens for providing AI computing power, creating a new incentive model.
Pi Network founder Nicolas Kokkalis recently discussed the significance of combining AI with blockchain. He believes that as AI transforms global production methods, decentralized networks and digital identity systems could become new mechanisms for value distribution. Blockchain technology can help more ordinary users participate in the digital economy and gain new revenue streams in the era of automation.
According to the team, Pi Network currently has over 350,000 nodes and millions of users who have completed KYC verification. However, some community members have reported delays in the KYC process, reflecting operational challenges as the project expands.
Despite this, the AI computing power test demonstrates that Pi Network is attempting to break through traditional cryptocurrency applications. If node computing capacity can stably support AI tasks, Pi Network may develop into a decentralized AI computing network driven by users worldwide.
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