Decentralised knowledge graphs

The decentralised knowledge graph – or DKG – promises to unlock new opportunities and create innovative economies across major industries like retail, transport, supply chain and healthcare. Layered on blockchain technology, it will likely be a key component of the next iteration of industry – known as Industry 4.0 – and internet – or Web 3.

The Knowledge Graph: Powering search and more

To understand the transformative power of knowledge graph technology, consider what Google has achieved since launching their knowledge graph in 2012. But knowledge graphs don’t just power web search – knowledge graphs are the backbone of Amazon’s shopping recommendation engine and countless smartphone applications like Uber, enabling these platforms to understand and connect information in meaningful ways.

So what has changed? 

Until recently, all knowledge graphs have been centralised – built and maintained exclusively by tech giants. Now, however, this technology has become decentralised. This means that anyone with a computer, internet access, and basic technical knowledge can participate in building and maintaining these knowledge networks. Essentially, you can help construct the foundations of Web 3.

Applications of decentralised knowledge graphs

Decentralised knowledge graphs are already creating exciting new opportunities for businesses and institutions. Read some of the examples:

Latest DKG Application: Medical data ecosystem

Oxford PharmaGenesis and Origin Trail have partnered to build a AI-compatible ‘paranet’ of clinical data for use by researchers, healthcare professionals and other pharmaceutical companies. Read more in the blog post.

Other Applications

BSI Supply Chain Management

The technology is currently being deployed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) for two applications: supply chain management of medicines and training certificate verification systems. These early implementations demonstrate the technology’s potential to enhance transparency, security, and trust across various sectors.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the leading blockchain provider, [Trace Labs]. The many sectors and communities we serve desire greater transparency of their global operations and OriginTrail’s distributed ledger technology allows us to build a robust and immutable verification ecosystem.”

Pietro Foschi, BSI

The British Standards Institute envisage DKG technology to help businesses in food and healthcare industry to “comply with regulations and standards” and “Meet customer expectations concerning products features and claims (safety, quality and other attributes)”. Read the full article by BSI here.

Verify BSI Training and Qualifications

BSI launched a training certificate verification solution powered by the Origin Trail decentralised knowledge graph. On completion of a BSI course, a student can share with potential employers a blockchain-verified training certificate to demonstrate their training credentials are genuine.

Sign up to our easy-to-follow training

Want to learn more about Origin Trail’s DKG but you’re new to programming and knowledge graphs? We’re working on an easy-to-follow video guide and on-site training session. Whether you’re an individual with a casual interest or a company looking to set up your own node our video guide and on-site training will fast track your learning journey.

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SCAN: Reduce Importer Compliance Audit

SCAN Trusted Factory uses OriginTrail’s decentralised knowledge graph (DKG) to secure and authenticate security audits for over 22,000 factories, primarily in Asia. This solution helps large retailers like Walmart and Home Depot manage compliance with the US Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.

The Supplier Compliance Audit Network (SCAN) was formed by importers to reduce “audit fatigue” for factories that are used by multiple companies. Before SCAN, a single factory might undergo numerous audits from different importers. Now, shared audits are conducted, and the results are stored on the OriginTrail DKG, making them accessible to permissioned members and government agencies. This blockchain-based system prevents forgery and fraud by ensuring audit data and factory IDs are authentic and unalterable. The program aims to increase transparency, protect against counterfeit goods, and enhance supply chain integrity.

Other Real-World Applications

• Healthcare: In partnership with BSI, AidTrust uses the DKG to ensure donated medicines reach the right patients, improving visibility and trust in distribution.
• Transport: SBB, the Swiss national rail company, is using the Decentralised Knowledge Graph to track individual parts in real time, aiming to improve the reliability of its rail system.
• Construction: DKG is being used in the Buildchain project. It will integrate with the EU Digital Building LogBook, providing a tamper-proof, decentralized database to boost efficiency and reduce errors.

About the tech

The decentralised knowledge graph is essentially a network of interconnected nodes. These form the backbone of the knowledge graph and provide functionality. In a decentralised knowledge graph ecosystem anyone can set up a node, add data to the node and give it a purpose (supply chain data, clinical data etc).

What is a decentralised knowledge graph node?

Without getting too technical, the best way we can describe a decentralised knowledge graph node is as follows:

Think of a container – an empty container – it is yours. You own it. You’re responsible for it. You maintain it and you pay for its upkeep.

A network of containers

Your container is not alone. It is connected by a cord to other containers owned by people all over the world. The containers are joined together to make a network where all containers communicate with each other.

Give it a commercial use

Because the container is empty it has no function, no purpose. It is just an empty vessel. So let’s give it a purpose. What do we want it to do? Let’s give it a commercial use – something businesses can use.

Smart databases

As mentioned web applications and smart phone apps rely on smart databases – or ‘knowledge graphs’. When you do a Google search or ask Alexa something it is relying on smart databases to make a good guess as to what info you want.

So there is a commercial demand for smart databases – businesses building apps need them for their apps to work. So we are gonna add a smart database to our container. Now it is not just a container – it is a smart database connected in a network with which an app built by a participating business can interact.

This is a decentralised knowledge graph node.

Decentralised knowledge graphs are graphs ‘By the people’

Unlike the ‘centralised’ knowledge graphs developed by the tech giants, decentralised knowledge graph nodes can be set up and run by you and me. In this way, you could say a DKG is a knowledge graph ‘by the people’. Not one company or person is responsible for all nodes. That is why we call it decentralized.

Your responsibility

Those that run DKG nodes or ‘node runners’ have a key responsibility. Because only if they keep the node ‘alive’ can businesses utilised their power.

Do you want to learn how to set up and run a Decentralised Knowledge Graph node?

Join the community that is building the foundations of web 3 by running a decentralised knowledge graph node. Join the waitlist for our training video guides on how to set up and run a DKG node on the testnet. No programming experience required.

Not a techie?

Don’t worry if you’ve no programming experience – we’ve made it easy for you!

Scroll up to find the sign up form.

FAQ

Can you earn crypto by running a Decentralised Knowledge Graph node?

Yes – Any business that writes data to the decentralised knowledge graph node must pay $TRAC cryptocurrency to the node owner. Node owners automatically receive crypto as a reward without human intervention. As node owner, you must keep your node ‘alive’ and well maintained. Reliability and quality of data is key to earning rewards.

Is this node business for casual enthusiasts?

No. You’ll need to be well-funded with a solid technical team to run a node and make money. More on this later.

Is there a meet up group where I can network and learn more about DKG?

Funny you should ask – yes! There’s the London Decentralised Knowledge Graph Meetup Group. The first ever event is in the works – it’s brand new! We aim to run workshops and much more.

Useful links:

Trace labs