Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warns: If technology is not open source, the world will fall into a "deep abyss of inequality".

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently issued a warning—if key technologies in the future continue to be monopolized by a few companies or governments, global inequality will be further exacerbated. He called for the adoption of an open source model to drive innovation, ensuring that technological achievements can be fairly accessed by more people, and shared another layer of value of open source regarding security and decision-making quality.

Proprietary Technology or Exacerbate Global Divide

Buterin pointed out that breakthroughs in fields such as life extension, gene enhancement, and advanced biotechnology, if locked within proprietary systems, will only benefit billionaires and political elites, while others will be left out.

He warned that this situation would create a long-term gap in lifespan, health, and quality of life between wealthy countries and other regions, leading to a global crisis of trust.

The Power of Open Source: From Consumers to Producers

For Buterin, the solution lies in open access and collaboration:

Fair Access: Any country or individual can research, improve, and apply new technologies.

Promoting Innovation: Open Source can transform consumers into potential producers, allowing more communities to participate in global economic growth.

Breaking Vendor Lock-in: Users can repair, upgrade, or seek alternatives on their own, rather than being tied to a single vendor.

He cited that if space exploration is monopolized by a few, resources will be concentrated and controlled; whereas the Open Source model allows more groups to participate, decentralizing power and interests.

Risks and Real Challenges

Buterin acknowledged that Open Source is not foolproof. Certain technologies (such as nuclear energy and advanced biotechnology) could have serious consequences if misused.

However, he questioned the feasibility of relying on "trusted gatekeepers" - historical cases, including the Soviet Union's secret biological weapons program, show that centralizing power does not guarantee safety and fairness.

He argues that open source does not equate to lawlessness, and international laws and agreements can still restrict dangerous uses, but transparency allows the public to supervise and verify safety.

Open Source and Better Decision Making

Buterin emphasized that Open Source can also enhance the quality of security testing and decision-making:

Multiple independent teams can examine and verify the technological achievements, rather than relying on the claims of a single company.

In fields such as healthcare and engineering, this multi-factor authentication can reduce risks and enhance trust.

He proposed a "principle-driven" approach to technological development—combining clear principles with real evidence can help teams maintain direction in large projects, avoid deviating from their original intentions, while also retaining the flexibility to accept better solutions.

The Future of Technology: Transparency, Collaboration, and Accessibility for All

Buterin's envisioned future is a world where technological innovation is centered around transparency, collaboration, and open source.

He believes that debates should not only focus on the speed of technological advancement but also explore the ways of progress—because only on the basis of fair distribution and broad participation can technology truly benefit all of humanity.

Conclusion

Vitalik Buterin's perspective serves as a reminder to the cryptocurrency community and a warning to the entire tech industry:

"Open source is not just about sharing code, but it is the key to ensuring that future technology is not monopolized by a few."

In today's fast-developing fields such as AI, biotechnology, and space exploration, open source may be the last line of defense in balancing innovation and global fairness.