The Future of Zero Knowledge Proofs

Introduction

In this section, the speaker greets the audience and introduces the topic of the class.

• The speaker welcomes everyone to the last class on "The Future of Zero Knowledge".

• The speaker mentions that they feel like the class just started.

• The speaker checks to make sure that the stream is working.

Technical Improvements in ZK Programming

In this section, the speaker discusses two major strategies for improving ZK programming and highlights some technical improvements.

Two Major Strategies for ZK Programming

• There are two major strategies for ZK programming: writing your own circuits or using a language like Noir or Leo Snarky JS where you program directly in ZK.

• Writing your own circuits is done with Circom, which will get better because of improvements made by Polygon's team.

• It is still early in terms of which languages or CK programming works best.

Technical Improvements

• Recursive snarks can be used when doing a roll-up or any time where you're doing a bunch of proofs all at once. This makes it easier because you're doing less work at once.

• ZPrize is a competition run by Elio for general improvements that should be made to zero knowledge. Some of the big ones include accelerating things with FPGA or GPU and making important functions run faster.

Zero Knowledge Virtual Machine (ZKVM)

In this section, the speaker talks about Risk Zero's strategy to create a zero knowledge virtual machine.

• Risk Zero's strategy is to create a zero knowledge virtual machine that is compatible with RISC-V architecture.

• This virtual machine allows you to write normal code in Rust or C++ and then compile it down to an intermediate representation.

• From there, the actual virtual machine creates zero knowledge proofs for everything.

• This approach allows you to program as normal and pretend the ZK is not there, which is different from writing your own fine-tuned circuit.

Recursive Snarks

In this section, the speaker talks more about recursive snarks and how they can be used to make computations easier.

• Recursive snarks can be used to continuously add new transactions into a proof, making it easier because you're doing less work at once.

• Mina uses this strategy in its state proof, which is only 22 kilobytes.

• Recursive snarks are also being used by L2s who are renting out the maximum size computer on AWS.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes the class and summarizes what was discussed.

• The speaker concludes the class on "The Future of Zero Knowledge".

• Technical improvements were discussed such as recursive snarks and ZPrize competition.

• Risk Zero's strategy to create a zero knowledge virtual machine was highlighted.

Specialized Hardware and Zero Knowledge Proofs for Blockchain Gaming

In this section, the speaker discusses the need for specialized hardware and zero knowledge proofs in blockchain gaming.

Need for Zero Knowledge Proofs in Blockchain Gaming

• Dark Forest is a good example of a game that uses zero knowledge proofs.

• Many games have fog of war or incomplete information, making zero knowledge proofs necessary to ensure fair play.

• Zero knowledge proofs are essential for blockchain gaming to take off.

ZK Bridges and ZK Identity

• ZK Bridges, such as those being developed by Succinct Labs, will allow different blockchains to communicate with each other securely.

• One-way bridges can be used to move money across chains without security concerns.

• ZK Identity has many privacy applications, such as proving age or education credentials.

Upcoming Classes on Cryptography and Zero Knowledge Proofs

In this section, the speaker discusses upcoming classes related to cryptography and zero knowledge proofs.

Uncloak's Rest Cryptography Engineering Class

• The speaker recommends taking Uncloak's Rest Cryptography Engineering class to improve programming skills in cryptography.

ZK Mook Course

• A massive open online course on zero knowledge proofs is being developed by top professors in the field.

Future of ZK

In this section, the speaker talks about their plans to continue learning and teaching about ZK technology. They also encourage viewers to claim their class certificate and NFT.

Plans for the Future

• The speaker plans to keep learning, studying, and teaching about ZK technology.

• They want to make more videos as they learn and solidify what they are teaching.

• Viewers can claim their class certificate and free NFT by clicking on the link provided in the chat.

The Future of ZK

• The speaker believes that ZK snarks will be a significant revolution as they become more mainstream over the next 10 to 20 years.

• They think that ZK technology will become as popular as blockchain and AI in the future.

• Learning about ZK now will pay off in the future because it is such a cool technology that will be used beyond just blockchain.

Overall, this section discusses the importance of continuing to learn about ZK technology and how it will impact the future.