What I understood then was that in person transactions could be done, as the local ledger of each user would authorize and record operations on and off the available balance and wait until network availability to syncronize with the global record.
Returning to the subject at hand: I can imagine very specialized “AI” being useful for scientifical research, where very knowledgeable people use it as a tool to facilitate processes but are nonetheless capable of reviewing whatever results it produces.
Not gigantic datacenters required for this but small, purpose made and perfected, locally run, even if on higher specifications hardware to do so, but machines built for a given task and purpose. The economic viability on it be damned; it’s a tool for research, it is not made to earn money.
You made me remember of a period around 2012 when, due to my country being under external financial supervision, most cities and town opted to disconnect street lights to save on the energy bill.
Turns out that anywhere between 35% and 60% of all street lights are superfluous, there was no increase in insecurity and close to nobody felt the need to supplement the light outside with their own.
In my own little town, nights became quieter. Foxes, owls and other night dwellers could be seen roaming.
People complained but when met with no other option adapted and adapted fast and well. Many street ligths, previously using sodium lamps, were changed to LED, allowing for many lamps to be removed.
I would personally like to have less lamps in the streets and those with lower intensity. It could be done. This isn’t London anymore.