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Proposal: Standardize TCP Port 41 for AI Services – Here's Why
5 points by PhotoAomicLab 6 months ago | hide | past | favorite | 8 comments
In the playful spirit of leet speak where "41" stands for "AI," I propose we consider standardizing TCP port 41 as the default for AI services across the internet. This idea started as a fun experiment when I began deploying my chatbot on this port, but it sparked some thoughts on the broader applicability and benefits.

Why Port 41 for AI?

Memorability and Symbolism: Just as port 80 is known for HTTP, associating port 41 with AI could create a memorable link, making it easier for developers and users to remember and adopt.

Standardization Benefits: With the proliferation of AI services, having a designated port could simplify network configurations, firewall rules, and security protocols, making it easier to deploy and manage AI applications consistently.

Technical and Practical Considerations:

There is the need to consider the technical feasibility of reserving a low-numbered port for such a specific use. This includes potential conflicts with existing systems that might already use port 41.

Security Implications: Standardizing a port for AI services might make it a target for malicious activities. It would be crucial to analyze and implement enhanced security measures to protect services running on this port, but this can simplify the creation of tools like browser extension, that interfaces directly with an AI for a "site" (intentionally vague definition of a place on the internet)

Adoption and Support: For such a standard to be effective, it would require broad support from both the tech community and standards organizations. This would involve discussions, agreements, and possibly formal proposals to bodies like IANA.

I would like to hear the community’s thoughts on this proposal. Do you see this as a viable standardization? What challenges and opportunities might this present for the future of AI service deployment?




Usually a standardised port number implies a standardised protocol. There’s nothing like that for AI right now.


Yes, there isn't (as far as I know) any protocol for AI... yet! it could be interesting to work on one, I think. The idea at is core is to enable AI-to-AI communication for agents. An agent will be an AI entity that governs and knows everything for a "site" (in absence of a better definition)

Imagine my phone agent tying to order some takeaway food on my behalf, if the selling "site" have a standardized endpoint (in addition to the normal http(s) for humans) it may be more easy for the AIs to communicate and complete the task.

AI already demonstrated the ability to evolve their own language and slang, there isn't much to standardize, but nonetheless it is interesting! It will be message frames like question and answers, plus maybe the possibility to interrupt the counterpart

Messages may be UTF-8 encoded with the possibility to embed contents described by mime-types

As stated, this idea is born from simple experiments, and I was just wondering if there are other people interested in the concept.


Do you have an specification for your protocol? 41 is already assigned by rfc493


You already specify 'ai programs'(plural) so what's the benefit of having a known port for unknown unquantifiable number of vaguely AI related programs?


can the same observation be made for browsers? then the same response applies.


Standardize AI on a privileged port? Nice try, AI.


42 would be easier to remember


Why?




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