Analysis of zkML technology: the technical details of using the Aleo blockchain smart contract to realize the result verification

Alex Zhao
4 min readMay 25, 2023

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zkML is a technology based on the Aleo blockchain and zero-knowledge proofs that provide privacy protection and verifiability for machine learning. This article will introduce in detail how zkML utilizes the smart contract function of the Aleo blockchain to achieve result verification from a technical point of view, including key technical details such as the verification process, data privacy and credibility.

1. Application of zero-knowledge proof:
zkML uses the smart contract function of the Aleo blockchain to apply zero-knowledge proof technology to achieve result verification. Zero-knowledge proof allows participants to prove the correctness of a fact without revealing specific data content. In zkML, participants can use zero-knowledge proofs to verify the correctness of the inference results of the trained model without revealing the details of the original data or the model.

2. The process of result verification:
(a) Participants generate proofs: zkML participants use the zero-knowledge proof algorithm to generate proofs to prove that they have the correct inference results of the training model. The proof generation process can be defined and controlled by algorithmic logic in smart contracts.
(b) Proof submission and verification: Participants submit the generated proof to the smart contract of the Aleo blockchain for verification. The smart contract is responsible for verifying the validity of the proof and confirming the correctness of the model reasoning results of the participants.
© Recording and storage of verification results: Once the verification is passed, the smart contract will record the verification results and store the verified model reasoning results on the blockchain to ensure the non-tamperable and traceability of the results.

3. Data privacy protection:
During the result verification process, zkML protects data privacy through zero-knowledge proof technology. Participants only need to provide a proof to prove the correctness of their model reasoning results, without revealing the original data or the specific details of the model. Zero-knowledge proof ensures the protection of data privacy, allowing participants to participate in the result verification process without exposing sensitive information.

4. Credibility guarantee:
Through the smart contract of the Aleo blockchain, zkML realizes the credibility guarantee of the result verification. As the central coordinator of the network, the smart contract verifies the proofs submitted by the participants and ensures the correctness and credibility of the verification process. The verification results of the smart contract are recorded on the blockchain to ensure the immutability and transparency of the results, making the verification process highly credible.

5. Decentralized verification:
zkML uses the smart contract function of the Aleo blockchain to build a decentralized result verification mechanism. The deployment and execution of smart contracts are distributed on multiple nodes, avoiding the risk of single point of failure and centralization. This decentralized verification mechanism ensures that the results of participants can be independently verified by multiple nodes, enhancing the security and credibility of the entire verification process.

6. Sharing and access to verification results:
Through the smart contracts of the Aleo blockchain, zkML enables the sharing and access of verification results. Once the verification is passed, the smart contract stores the verification results on the blockchain, and participants can access and query the verification results through the interface of the smart contract. This sharing and access mechanism facilitates communication and cooperation among participants, improving the efficiency and scalability of the entire zkML network.

7. Audit and traceability:
The smart contract of the Aleo blockchain records relevant information of each verification process, including proofs of participants, verification results, etc. This audit and traceability mechanism makes the entire zkML network auditable, and participants and regulators can audit and trace the verification process to ensure the credibility and compliance of the verification process and results.

8. Flexibility and custom rules:
zkML leverages the smart contract capabilities of the Aleo blockchain to provide flexibility and the ability to customize rules. Developers can customize the verification rules and algorithmic logic in smart contracts according to specific machine learning scenarios and needs. This enables zkML to adapt to different verification requirements and scenarios, and provide customized result verification services.

in conclusion:
Through the smart contract function of the Aleo blockchain, zkML realizes the technical details of the result verification. Using zero-knowledge proofs, decentralized verification mechanisms and trusted smart contract execution, zkML ensures the data privacy of participants and the credibility of verification results. This smart contract-based result verification mechanism provides strong technical support for zkML

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