There is already DRM for AI. check out nvidia’s docs around hosting proprietary models with encrypted weights
replyInterestingly it is Microsoft who filed a patent for DRM-style locking of AI models to verified devices (published July 2026): https://patentlyze.com/patent/microsoft-drm-ai-models-explai...
replySo they can avoid the embarrassment when Copilot migrates to Qwen 4
replyAI is actually the perfect use case for homomorphic encryption.
replyI wonder if this space is explored fully enough at the moment.
Aside from some implementation details, it's conceptually much easier than doing it for a SQL database.
I don't see the case for DRM protected local models on either side.
replyThe consumer has access to free and open models for local use.
The supplier has better control and wider market to serve running the models in data centers.
Only way I can see encrypted models being widespread is if they are bundled as part of a software package (OS/Browser/etc) and not sold as the product.
There's good open weight models for now, labs could stop releasing them for whatever reason (assuming "good model" is a moving target).
replyIt wouldn't work on windows either, if that were the case. It sounds more like it hasn't been properly implemented yet
replyOr buy Huawei ascend...
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