When we think of purpose, our minds often go to the simplest things. A bed exists so we can rest. A fireplace exists so we can keep warm. Purpose is rarely mysterious—it is grounded, familiar, and deeply human. It reflects the needs, environments, and lives of the people who depend on the thing being built.

So when we shift this same idea into decentralised AI, the question becomes sharper: Purpose for whom? In Episode 6 of our series, Building AI for Everyone, Everywhere, Rama Zomaletho offered an insight that felt like a compass: “If you’re building for people, it is only fair that those people are involved in your building.”

In other words, the concept of “purpose” in AI is communal. It cannot be defined from afar.

Rama went further, naming something many teams overlook in their excitement to innovate: “Adoption happens when the solution is tailored to the specific need and cultural context for whom you’re building.” Technology succeeds not because it is impressive, but because it is appropriate—because it aligns with the rhythms, realities, and identities of the people it aims to serve.

That is the difference between building in a community and building with them.

In decentralized AI, purpose isn’t a static requirement. It’s a living agreement. Every contributor brings their history, culture, and worldview to the table. And that diversity is not an obstacle; it’s the point. It’s what makes global, people-driven systems possible.

Who we are while we are alive, what we build, and how we choose to build it–these are the only things fully within our control. And if that is true, then building AI for everyone, everywhere, becomes an act of responsibility. A choice to honour people first, context always, and technology last.

Because purpose doesn’t start with code.
Purpose starts with people.

Ready to dive deeper? Listen to Building AI for Everyone, Everywhere: Episode 6 with Rama Zomaletho, and discover how context shapes the future of technology. https://x.com/i/spaces/1YpJkkDaOjjJj