Imagine walking a powerful pit bull through a crowded park. You wouldn’t dare let it roam free without a leash, not because the dog is inherently dangerous, but because you, as the owner, are responsible for its behavior. This analogy perfectly captures the role of authentic digital identity, like Matter-ID, in controlling Generative AI tools.

Generative AI is like that unleashed pit bull—powerful, unpredictable, and capable of immense impact, both good and bad. Just as the dog can’t be held accountable for its actions, neither can an AI tool. The responsibility always falls on the person who owns or operates it.

The Leash: Why Control is Necessary

A leash ensures the dog doesn’t harm anyone, disrupt public order, or act beyond what’s acceptable. Similarly, an authentic digital identity acts as a “leash” for AI systems, tethering their use and outputs to identifiable individuals or organizations. This ensures:

1. Accountability
   When your dog knocks over a child or causes a scene, you’re the one who has to answer for it. The same principle applies to Generative AI. If it generates harmful content, spreads misinformation, or violates regulations, the operator or creator should be accountable.
2. Trust and Safety
   A leashed dog gives people around it a sense of safety, even if the dog is well-trained. Likewise, tying AI usage to an authentic identity builds public trust, ensuring that tools are used responsibly and ethically.
3. Preventing Misuse
   Without a leash, a dog might chase wildlife, destroy property, or cause unintended harm. Generative AI, when left “unleashed,” can amplify disinformation, create deepfakes, or make critical errors. A verified identity ensures someone is always in control, ready to intervene if things go wrong.

Who is Responsible?

It’s unfair to blame the dog for its actions—it’s simply acting on instinct. Similarly, Generative AI doesn’t have intent; it follows algorithms and inputs. The dog owner is responsible for ensuring their pet is trained, supervised, and restrained when needed. In the world of AI, the responsibility lies with developers, operators, and organizations using these tools.

Why Matter-ID is the Leash We Need

Matter-ID offers a user-centric digital identity system that ensures every interaction with Generative AI is tied to a verified person or entity. This provides a clear chain of responsibility, prevents misuse, and ensures ethical AI development. Just as a leash helps manage the unpredictable behavior of a dog, Matter-ID ensures AI tools remain under human control, fostering trust and accountability.

Conclusion: Be a Responsible Owner

Walking a dog without a leash is a gamble—it risks harm to others and legal consequences for the owner. Likewise, deploying Generative AI without an authentic digital identity system risks misuse, harm, and loss of public trust. By leashing AI tools with solutions like Matter-ID, we ensure that the power of AI is used responsibly and stays firmly in human hands.

Written by Raido Saar, CEO