In the digital age, AI assistants—from smart bots to voice-controlled devices—are omnipresent, yet most users do not truly own these technologies. As reliance on AI grows, so do concerns over control and privacy. Major AI platforms provide services on a rental basis; users pay for access but face risks like abrupt changes in functionality and data misuse. This scenario raises pertinent questions about ownership, especially as AI becomes integrated into critical areas of life, including finance and decision-making. True ownership of AI means controlling its logic, parameters, and data processing capabilities. Innovations like Web3 and dedicated software for AI agents facilitate this ownership, allowing users to manage their digital assets without reliance on centralized providers. Such systems offer autonomy, permitting users to pause, customize, or transfer their AI agents seamlessly. The shift towards user-owned AI is not merely about tools but ensuring individual agency and security against monopolistic tendencies in the tech landscape. Open-source AI provides transparency and accountability that rented models lack, ultimately empowering users to reclaim control over their digital interactions and decisions.

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